Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) Preview: Justin Milano the Expected Top Pick

In the week leading up to May 26, all eyes are on Japan's most iconic race, the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). The 91st running of the Japanese Derby is on Sunday, May 26. It is also the second leg of Japan's Triple Crown races. 

To sweep the three races that comprise the crown ― the 2,000-meter Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), the 2.400-meter Japanese Derby and the autumn 3,000-meter Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) ― is considered the ultimate achievement for a 3-year-old racehorse. 

The Derby, held at Tokyo Racecourse, carries the highest prize among them, a purse of over ¥648 million JPY (more than $4.1 million USD). Its first-place prize is ¥300 million ($1.9 million).

Only 18 of the 19 nominated 3-year-olds will find a berth in the gate on Sunday. Eleven of the youngsters signed up for the Derby have scored a graded-stakes victory, proving themselves as the highly talented athletes they all are. 

Still early in their careers, all but one (Sugar Kun) remains untested over the distance, and surprises are par for the course. 

Over the last 10 runnings of the Derby, the favorite has figured among the top-three finishers seven times and has won twice. Either the second or third pick of the day has finished in the top three eight times out of 10, and both have made the top three four times over the last decade.

The Lone Filly in the 91st Tokyo Yushun

Only one filly, Regaleira, is among the nominees this year, and she's getting excellent reviews. The unbeaten Justin Milano, winner of the Satsuki Sho is expected to be the top pick on Sunday. Sixpence, Danon Ayers Rock and Urban Chic are the other names most likely to be heard as the big day looms.

The Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) is the 11th race on the Tokyo Sunday card of 12. It is followed by the Grade 2 Meguro Kinen.

Here is a look at some of the expected popular choices.

Justin Milano Brings Unbeaten Record into the Tokyo Yushun

A son of 2013 Japanese Derby winner Kizuna, Justin Milano is unbeaten in three career races and coming off his victory in the Satsuki Sho on April 14. Along with the also unbeaten Sixpence, he is one of four colts heading to the Derby with only three starts behind them. 

From his 2,000-meter debut at Tokyo, weighing in at over 500 kg, he went directly to win the Grade 3 Kyodo News Hai over 1,800 meters. After that, Justin Milano competed in the Satsuki Sho and topped runner-up Cosmo Kuranda by a neck in a record time of 1 minute, 57.1 seconds. 

If he wins here, Justin Milano will become only the eighth horse in JRA's racing history to capture the first two of the Classics with a perfect record. 

With three Derby wins to his name, Yasuo Tomomichi holds the best hand among current JRA trainers. 

"He has a big stride and races well in tune with the rider," Tomomichi says of Justin Milano. "[Justin Milano] can maintain good speed over distance and the change to Tokyo will be a plus. I think he'll be able to handle the distance." 

Tomomichi added, "There are horses he hasn't gone up against yet, but he should do well if he runs his own race." 

Jockey Keita Tosaki, who rode the colt in the Satsuki Sho, is expected up this time.

Sixpence is Considered a Strong Tokyo Yushun Contender

Also victorious in his first three career races, the Kizuna-sired Sixpence takes on his first Grade 1 competition. 

Raced only at Nakayama, he debuted over a mile in September 2023 and was given another mile race in December. He won the Grade 2 Spring Stakes over 1,800 meters in mid-March, by a margin of 3½ lengths under Christophe Lemaire. 

Racing close to the pace in all three of his starts, the extra distance and long stretch at Tokyo are by no means advantages. However, able to settle well and save his best for an electrifying final burst of speed, Sixpence is considered a strong contender. 

Additionally, he'll have the home advantage as he's based at the Miho stable of veteran trainer Sakae Kunieda (still without a Derby win). He is set for a new rider, Yuga Kawada, who currently tops the jockey rankings with 11 wins ahead of No 2 Lemaire. Kawada was victorious in the Grade 1 NHK Mile Cup on May 5 and had one previous win in the Derby (with Makahiki in 2016).

Regaleira Impresses with Closing Speed

A Suave Richard filly based at the Miho barn of Tetsuya Kimura, Regaleira hasn't restricted her company to fillies. She has held her ground admirably against colts from the start, always clocking the field's fastest time over the final three furlongs. 

Regaleira scored two wins and one third in her first three starts, including a win in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes. 

Last time out, with her regular rider Lemaire sidelined with injuries, the ride in the Satsuki Sho went to Hiroshi Kitamura. The filly went to the gate as the race favorite and the only filly in the field. Interference just after the break saw her racing from the rear. Still, with her blistering late speed, she managed to make up ground to finish sixth, half a second behind winner Justin Milano. She also tied Ecoro Walz for the fastest final three furlongs time of 33.9 seconds. 

This time out, Regaleira will carry 55 kg (the weight she has carried in all of her starts), but 2 kg less than the colts. 

Lemaire, who has one Derby win (Rey de Oro in 2017), returned to the saddle the week of the NHK Mile Cup after recovering from a fall in Dubai. Springing back into action, he scored one win and two seconds in his three G1 bids since, winning the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) on May 19. 

Back with his usual partner, Lemaire eyes his second Classic victory in a row.

Read the rest of this article about the Tokyo Yushun and the Japanese horses in contention on JRA News.

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Author: JRA News