Japanese 3-Year-Olds Get a Test in NHK Mile Cup

While American 3-year-olds strut their stuff at 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on the first weekend in May, Japanese sophomores take a stab at one mile in the May 7 NHK Mile Cup (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse, opening a meeting that later features the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby-G1).

The Mile Cup candidates aren't likely for the Japanese Classics but the race can be an experimental affair for horses still seeking their best trip and pace scenario. That description could fit one of the likely favorites, Dolce More.

Dolce More, a Rulership  colt, cruised through his juvenile season, winning at first asking, then landing the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup (G3) and Asahi Hai Futurity (G1), the last two at 1,600 meters (about one mile).

He took on the same trip in his 2023 debut, the New Zealand Trophy (G2) at Nakayama Racecourse and, while the distance wasn't a question, the pace was.

"He was leading out in the New Zealand Trophy last time, but the pace was a bit too quick in the back straight and it became difficult for him to maintain his lead at the end," said trainer Naosuke Sugai. "So he eventually had to settle for seventh place. Since that race, things have gone smoothly with him, and he's been working well uphill with stablemate Sodashi ."

Sodashi is the wildly popular pure white filly who has landed three grade 1 races at 1,600 meters and finished third in the Mile Championship (G1) last November.

Dolce More also gets a rider change as Kosei Miura takes over from Kazuo Yokoyama.

The New Zealand Trophy winner, Eeyan, also returns as one of three starters representing sire Silver State, himself a son of the late Deep Impact . Eeyan finished third and second in two starts at 2, going 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) and 1,800 miles (about 1 1/8 miles). Trainer Daishi Ito cranked him back to 1,600 meters to start the new year and he promptly reeled off three straight wins.

"He drew inside in the New Zealand Trophy but he started well and wanted to get on with things and had plenty of room turning for home. He was driven out well in the closing stages to go on and win," Ito said.

Last month's Arlington Cup (G3) at Hanshin also serves as a designated prep for the Mile and the winner of that, Obamburumai, takes his place in the lineup, starting from stall No. 10 in a field of 18.

By Discreet Cat  out of the Deep Impact mare Pink Gerbera, Obamburumai has compiled a record of three wins from four starts. He won his first two races at 1,400 meters (about 7 furlongs) but could only manage a seventh-place showing when asked to go the extra furlong of the Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) in his final start of 2022.

After that, said trainer Keiji Yoshimura, the Arlington Cup was a bit of an experiment.

"He got into the race well last time. Although I wasn't sure about how he might finish off, he came with a good late run and caught the others just before the line," Yoshimura said. "Thinking about Tokyo with him, this kind of run seems to suit him."