Nova Lenda Wins Japan Road to Kentucky Derby Race
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Photo: Masakazu Takahashi
Nova Lenda wins Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Racecourse
Nova Lenda rated patiently around the far turn in the listed Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun Dec. 19 at Kawasaki Racecourse, took the lead halfway home, and just held on—winning by a nose from the onrushing Derma Louvre to earn 20 points in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Gal Vihara was third and the only filly in the race. California-bred Make Happy, who won the first leg of the series, flattened out in the lane to get home fourth.
Nova Lenda, a Daiwa Major colt, finished the 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) in 1:42 4/5, posting his third straight win following victories at Kyoto and Niigata. Yuichi Kitamura rode for trainer Takashi Saito.
Nova Lenda
Daiwa Major, who stands at the Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido, also sired Admire Mars, winner of the Dec. 16 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1) on the turf at Hanshin Racecourse.
The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby is a separate competition from the main Churchill Downs points rankings used to determine the field for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Make Happy scored two points for her fourth-place finish, leaving her in second place with 12. However, her connections indicated she may be considered for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).
The competition continues with the listed Hyacinth Stakes Feb. 17 at Tokyo Racecourse, with 30-12-6-3 points to the first four finishers, and concludes with the non-listed Fukuryu Stakes March 31 at Nakayama, where the points offering is 40-16-8-4.
Le Vent Se Leve won last year's edition of the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun. The Symboli Kris S colt did not pursue the Kentucky Derby trail but went on to win this year's Japan Dirt Derby and Champions Cup (G1).