Derby Redemption For Croix Du Nord?

[Wandering Eyes]

Despite losing his unbeaten tag to Museum Mile (Leontes) in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), Croix Du Nord still carries the burden of favouritism in Sunday's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby).

Never tested at the 2400-metre trip, the son of Kitasan Black and the Cape Cross mare Rising Cross went three-for three in his juvenile season and put an exclamation point on his career thus far in the G1 Hopeful Stakes, defeating Giovanni (Epiphaneia). The Japanese Champion 2-Year-Old Colt will leave from stall 13 in the 18-horse field under Yuichi Kitamura.

Trainer Takashi Saito said of the Sunday Racing silks-bearer, “He ran into interference in the Satsuki Sho, but picked up the pace and made up for it. He's definitely ready and looks better and more filled out than he did for the Satsuki Sho. This has been our goal from his debut and I've given him a rotation that works with this distance. Tokyo is no problem and with Kitasan Black as his sire, I think he can handle it.”

Second in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes last year, fellow Sunday Racing colourbearer Museum Mile ran fourth in the G2 Hochi Hay Yayoi Sho in March prior to his Classic victory. Unlike Croix Du Nord, he enjoyed a clean passage in the Japanese 2000 Guineas, but he should still be a tough nut to crack in this step up to 2400 metres. Damian Lane is slated to ride, and the duo are close to the middle of the field in stall seven.

Trainer Daisuke Takayanagi said, “After the Satsuki Sho, he was tired but otherwise there didn't seem to be any need for concern. It's been a long time since he has raced to the left [handed] and I am a bit concerned about the venue and the distance. However, he has gotten a lot of experience so there's probably no reason to worry. He handled the Satsuki Sho well, which I think reflects how well he has matured mentally.”

Testing the Group 1 waters for the first time is the three-for-three Fandom (Saturnalia), who won the G3 Mainichi Hai in March when last seen. Representing Carrot Farm, the colt has yet to try a race beyond 1800 metres, but he has plenty of dash, as he set a new race record of 1:32.80 going 1600 metres at Nakayama last September.

“After the Mainichi Hai, he went to the farm for rest and recuperation,” said trainer Tetsuhide Tsuji. “Last week in track work, his time was good and he extended well to the very end, but I could see he still had a lot left over. So, considering that, I think he may actually be stronger physically.

“As far as which direction the race is run, the jockey says right or left makes no difference. Looking at this horse in the Mainichi Hai, I could see that he wouldn't be an embarrassment if he ran in the Derby. The line-up will be tough, but I'm hoping he'll give it his best.”

Rounding out the top four picks in the ante-post market is the G3 Kyodo News Hai hero Masquerade Ball (Duramente). A winner of the Listed Ivy Stakes from three starts at two, he snagged his group win over 1800 metres in February before improving markedly to run third behind Museum Mile and Croix Du Nord in the Japanese 2000 Guineas. The Shadai Race Horse flagbearer is benched widest of all barring one–G3 Kisaragi Sho victor Satono Shining (Kizuna) in 18–in the gate on Sunday.

Trainer Takahisa Tezuka was realistic on his charge's chances and said, “He has talent but he doesn't bring it out on his own. He has a huge stride and isn't good taking the bends, so we've been working on that in work too. He's suited to a wide-open, spacious course, so Tokyo is the better course for him.”

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