Japan’s Forever Young Edges Book’em Danno In Another Saudi Derby Cliffhanger

[Wandering Eyes]

A hot favorite on the international markets at 3-5, Susumu Fujita's FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) (c, 3, Real Steel {Jpn}–Forever Darling, by Congrats) had very little in his favor in the run of Satuday's G3 Boutique Group Saudi Derby, but he called upon his considerable talent in the final 150 meters and dropped his nose down on the wire just ahead of a very gallant Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in the 1600-meter contest. Forever Young, making his first start since winning the Listed Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki to announce his Kentucky Derby credentials, perhaps brushed the gate or was otherwise awkwardly away from stall nine, as US invader Bentornato (Valiant Minister) showed the way up front. Forever Young was immediately under the pump from Ryusei Sakai as he slipstreamed a four-wide Book'em Danno, who rated kindly just off the speed. The Pasco S. winner looked to be going great guns when he easily claimed Bentornato leaving the 400-meter pole, but Forever Young was sticking to his task entering the final furlong. Book'em Danno looked all over a winner with a sixteenth of a mile to travel, but he began looking for the line over a strip that can place a premium on stamina, and Forever Young took a successful dive at him at the line. Real Steel, a full-brother to the Yoshito Yahagi-trained globetrotter Loves Only You (Jpn), was being represented by his third group winner and first on the dirt. Tentative plans call for Forever Young to press on to Meydan for the G2 UAE Derby over 1900 meters in five weeks' time. Sales history: ¥98,000,000 ($720,603) Ylg '22 JHRAJUL. O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Racing; T-Yoshito Yahagi.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
BOUTIQUE GROUP SAUDI DERBY-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-24, NH/SH3yo, 1600m, 1:36.17 (NSR), ft.
1–FOREVER YOUNG (JPN), 121, c, 3, by Real Steel (Jpn)
1st Dam: Forever Darling (GSW, $217,545), by Congrats
2nd Dam: Darling My Darling, by Deputy Minister
3rd Dam: Roamin Rachel, by Mining
(¥98,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Racing; T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Ryusei Sakai; $900,000. Lifetime Record: MSW-Jpn, 4-4-0-0, $1,469,451. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Book'em Danno, 121, g, 3, Bucchero–Adorabella, by Ghostzapper. O-Atlantic Six Racing LLC; B-Gregory Kilka & Bright View Farm (NJ); T-Derek Ryan; J-Irad Ortiz Jr; $300,000.
3–Bentornato, 121, c, 3, Valiant Minister–Her Special Way, by Put It Back. ($45,000 Ylg '22 OBSOCT; $170,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Leon King Stable Corp; B-Tanma Corp (FL); T-Jose F D'Angelo; J-Luis Saez; $150,000.
Margins: HD, 6, 5.
Also Ran: Ajwadi (GB), Mashhur, Salam Alkhair, Saudi Neom, Oasis Boy (Arg), Almotahed (GB), Satono Phoenix (Jpn), Set Up (Jpn), Haayeet. Click for the JCSA chart (R4).

 

FOREVER YOUNG #フォーエバーヤング!!

Never in doubt, was it @_RYUSEI_0531 ?#TheSaudiCup | サウジカップ pic.twitter.com/OXtwK0BMJ6

— The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 24, 2024

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