Duramente Takes Japanese Derby in Record Time

Sunday Racing's Japanese Guineas winner Duramente secured his second classic victory in style May 31, winning the Tokyo Yushun (Jpn-I, Japanese Derby) in stakes-record time.

 

With Mirco Demuro aboard, the son of King Kamehameha seized the lead at the top of the uphill stretch with just more than a furlong to run and drew clear in a 1 3/4-length victory from Satono Rosen. He finished in a record 2:23.20 for 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) on firm turf, a time that was a tenth of a second faster than his sire's previous record time of 2:23.30 in the 2004 edition of the race and subsequently equaled by Deep Impact the next year. 

 

Duramente won the first jewel in Japan's Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho (Jpn-I, Japanese Two Thousand Guineas) by 1 1/2 lengths April 19 at Nakayama. He was positioned much more forwardly in the Derby—eighth in a field of 18 led early by Musee Alien. Relaxing down the backstretch, he was urged forward after final turn to avoid rivals, moving to the outside for a clear path. He responded willingly to Demuro's urging and made up ground powerfully secure the win.

 

Demuro, who won the 2003 Japanese Guineas and Derby with Neo Universe, was overwhelmed by Duramente' victory and, momentarily speechless, could only express his elation by showering his mount with kisses.

 

"I'm so full of joy and gratitude to have been able to accomplish this with such a powerful and talented colt, especially as an official (Japan Racing Association) jockey," Italian-born Demuro said in Japanese, when finding his voice. "There was a lot of pressure after having won the Satsuki Sho and being the race favorite. 

 

"Duramente was rather worked up and keen between the first two corners, but he was in a good position throughout the race and was under control after that. In the homestretch, there was some knocking about, but after changing his lead, he was in gear and really strong to the finish." 

 

Satono Rasen was rated just behind Duramente along the rail and had to work his way to running room after entering the stretch. Giving a good effort under left-hand urging, he just held off the late charge of third-place Satono Crown, but was unable to reel in the winner.

 

Duramente is the 23rd horse to take the first two legs of Japan's classic series, which is completed by the Kikuka Sho (Jpn-I, Japanese St. Leger), run at 3,000 metes (about 1 7/8 miles) in October. Sunday Racing's Orfevre in 2011 is the most recent horse to sweep the triple.

 

According to a Reuters report, Duramente's owner has his eye on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) in early October and might bypass the Japanese St. Leger.

 

"The 3,000 meters could be long for him, but it's hard to tell," Demuro said. "The owner and trainer will make that call."

 

Duramente has a 4-2-0 record from six career starts for Noriyuki Hori, who trains for Shunsuke Yoshida's Sunday Racing. He was bred by Northern Racing from Japanese champion older mare Admire Groove, (by Sunday Silence), a half sister to Japanese group I winner Rulership (by King Kamehameha), and group winners Forgettable (Dance in the Dark) and Gullveig (Deep Impact). Admire Groove also has produced a full sister in group-placed Admire Sceptre. Second dam Air Groove was Japan's Horse of the Year of 1997.