Without end Younger simply handed his entrance examination for the Nov. 2 Longines Breeders’ Cup Traditional with a no-nonsense victory Oct. 2 within the Japan Grime Traditional at Oi Racecourse.
His connections mentioned they have been assured earlier than the race, relieved afterward, and count on much more from Without end Younger at Del Mar.
The Actual Metal colt, making his first begin since settling for third within the dramatic, roughly contested end of the Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve, gained by 1 1/4 lengths after ready patiently simply behind the early chief after stumbling barely in the beginning. He wanted solely gentle encouragement from jockey Ryusei Sakai and runner-up Mikki Flight was not a critical menace.
“I believed we couldn’t lose, so I’m relieved,” Sakai mentioned. “I didn’t wish to be inside, so I believed to go to the lead. However as soon as he settled in second place, his rhythm was higher. I believed this was good competitors within the race, so I couldn’t let my guard down till the tip.”
Coach Yoshito Yahagi, identified in worldwide racing circles as “the person within the hat” for his colourful race-day headwear, concurred.
“At first, I felt relieved. To be sincere, I used to be assured that we had expertise on our aspect, however now we had a robust area towards us in the present day. So, I believed they did nicely to win.”
Without end Younger heads to Del Mar as a winner of six of his seven begins. The opposite victories embrace the $1.5 million Saudi Derby in February and the $1 million United Arab Emirates Derby Sponsored by Atlantis The Royal in March. Yahagi mentioned his development by means of his three-Derby efficiency early within the yr, adopted by a very good break, units him up for the Breeders’ Cup.
“He was turned out on the Northern Farm in Hokkaido, and he was so drained after the Kentucky Derby that he has wanted time to get well. To be sincere, I used to be solely capable of end him about 80%,” the coach mentioned.
He mentioned Without end Younger will enter quarantine Oct. 14 and fly to the USA Oct. 22.
Yahagi masterminded Japan’s breakthrough Breeders’ Cup effort in 2021 at Del Mar, saddling Loves Solely You and Marche Lorraine to victory within the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and the Longines Breeder’s Cup Distaff, respectively.
“He hasn’t misplaced in Japan but,” Sakai famous of Without end Younger. “However we had a irritating expertise within the spring, so I’ve a robust need to get revenge. I hope to point out off a robust Without end Younger once more. He’ll proceed to do his greatest, and I wish to win the subsequent in the USA.”
Without end Younger bumped repeatedly with runner-up Sierra Leone within the Kentucky Derby, however the stewards didn’t dangle the inquiry signal, a choice that sparked criticism. He completed a nostril behind a drifting-in Sierra Leone and two noses behind victorious Mystik Dan.
Sakai, Yahagi, and Without end Younger’s proprietor, Susumu Fujita, flip their speedy focus to France, the place they may attempt to finish Japan’s decades-long frustration within the Oct. 6 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Shin Emperor.
Of the three Japanese-trained horses headed for the Breeders’ Cup Traditional, Without end Younger is the one one exiting a prep-race victory. Derma Sotogake, who completed second within the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Traditional at Santa Anita, and A number of Group 1 winner Ushba Tesoro, fifth in that race, completed fifth and second within the Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Racecourse Sept. 25.
Without end Younger’s sire, Actual Metal, is by Deep Affect, a son of Sunday Silence — sires who’ve formed Japanese racing. His dam, Without end Darling, is by Congrats, a son of A.P. Indy.
