Der Flug Takes Fukuryu Stakes in Late Rally
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Photo: Crawford Ifland Photography
The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series ended March 31 with the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama
The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby officially ended March 31, when undefeated 3-year-old Der Flug took the Fukuryu Stakes with a dominating late rally at Nakayama Racecourse.
Gold Lagoon led the way from the break and set fractions of :25, :50.80, and 1:15.20 through six furlongs. Rhein Carina tracked the pace just off the rail in second ahead of Nova Lenda—last out winner of the Zennippon Nisai Yushun—who battled with Black Warrior from his spot in the rail for third.
Still in command as the field reached the final turn, Der Flug, under jockey Akihide Tsumura, made his move five wide at the top of the stretch, cut through the leaders, and kicked home.
Master Fencer, the only contender in Sunday's race with both points and a Triple Crown nomination, gave chase in deep stretch but never posed a serious threat. Der Flug completed the 1,800-meter (about nine-furlong) test 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Master Fencer in a final time of 1:53.20.
Rhein Carina, Black Warrior, Nova Lenda, Nanyo Izayoi, Gold Lagoon, and Cameron completed the order of finish.
Trained by Nobuhiro Suzuki, Der Flug earned 40 points on the Japanese Kentucky Derby leaderboard, but no nomination to the American classics has been made. Master Fencer, who is first on the Japanese leaderboard among those who are Triple Crown-nominated with 19 points, could be the sole entrant seeking a berth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) starting gate at Churchill Downs.
Owned by Tsuru Nishimori, Der Flug is a son of the French-bred stallion Behkabad, a group 1 winner in France and grade 1-placed in North America. Bred by Takae Bokujo out of the French Deputy mare Pai Guniang, Der Flug has three wins from three starts and earnings of 35,553,000 (US$285,794).