3 minute read
Croix du Nord wins this year’s Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama.
Heavy favorite Croix Du Nord won this year's Hopeful Stakes in his bid to become the leading candidate for JRA's Best Two-Year-Old Colt title. The brown colt has emulated 2020 Triple Crown victor Contrail in capping off his debut campaign undefeated with three consecutive wins—the Kitasan Black colt won his debut start in June over 1,800 meters and scored a graded win in the Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes (G2, 1,800m) on November 16. Trainer Takashi Saito claimed his eighth JRA-G1 title, the first since the 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Cup with Geraldina, and second Hopeful Stakes victory following with Killer Ability in 2021. Jockey Yuichi Kitamura scored his sixth G1 title, his last being the 2020 Arima Kinen with Chrono Genesis.
Croix du Nord broke sharply from gate 6 but allowed the early leaders to pass and settled off the rails in mid-division behind a brisk pace led by Jun Asahi Sora. Gradually making headway soon after seeing Faust Rasen quickly go by on his outside, the unbeaten colt found another gear soon after entering the stretch in third or fourth and continued to increase his speed as soon as he reached the top of the uphill stretch to win by a comfortable two-lengths margin.
"I can't say that the race went exactly as planned, but I had complete faith in him and knew that he would make it through whatever situation he would be in during the race. It was his first time going right-handed and against a full gate of 18 runners, but I totally believed he would handle that too. His physical condition since his last start had improved and his movement was sharp. I wanted him to finish the last of his two-year-old start at a good note so that we would be able to focus on his three-year-old campaign which now will carry much expectation. I am so grateful for everyone who had supported me which is why I am standing here today as a G1 winner and I hope to give my best again next season," commented Yuichi Kitamura.
Sixth pick Giovanni was unhurried after the break, sitting in mid-field while saving ground along the rails with the race favorite close on his outside. Keeping to the inside into the straight, the Epiphaneia colt shifted out to join the eventual winner in his stretch run for home and while unable to match the winner, showed great effort to overtake Faust Rasen for second.
17th choice Faust Rasen allowed most of his rivals go past after the break, content to sit near the rear early, but made an aggressive move along the backstretch to overtake the field reaching the pacemaker with 800 meters to go and grabbing the lead entering the stretch. Finally shaking off Jun Asahi Sora who continued to fight to regain the lead but tired after the furlong pole, the Mozu Ascot colt was quickly overtaken by the winner at 100-meter mark and then by Giovanni in the final strides to finish third.
Other Horses:
4th: (16) Tjuta—sat wide around 5th, showed effort but no match for top 3 finishers
5th: (4) Claudiai—traveled around 5th, needed more at stretch
6th: (10) Ask Stein—settled around 10th, drifted to outside at final corner, never threatened
7th: (3) Jet Magnum—tracked leader in 2nd, ran gamely until 100m out
8th: (5) Reve de l'Opera—saved ground around 13th, lacked needed kick
9th: (8) Del Avar—raced around 16th, checked at final corner, passed tired rivals
10th: (2) Shonan Macbeth—hugged rails around 3rd, checked at early stretch, lost momentum
11th: (18) Masquerade Ball—ran around 14th, checked at final corner, showed little
12th: (13) Jun Asahi Sora—set pace early, faded after 200m pole
13th: (15) Piko Chan Black—chased leaders around 3rd, gradually dropped position
14th: (7) Yamanin Bouclier—sat wide around 11th, checked at final corner, even paced
15th: (14) Realize Aurum—positioned around 14th, unable to reach contention
16th: (12) Magic Sands—raced wide around 9th, drifted to outside at final corner, showed little
17th: (17) Amakihi—traveled wide around 11th, dropped back after 3rd corner
18th: (9) Arion Smile—trailed in rear throughout, no factor
