Unfortunately, last year’s Japan Cup Dirt was run without a single foreign runner, but three outstanding horses from North America and Great Britain will take part this year and the participation of Student Council (USA, 5h, by Kingmambo), who has come off his victory in the Pacific Classic (G1, USA) and his match-up with the top Japanese dirt runners in the coming Japan Cup Dirt is drawing much attention.
The key runners among the Japanese contestants have come off their start in the JBC Classic.
Vermilion (JPN, 5h, by El Condor Pasa, rating: 117I), after finishing fourth in the last year's Japan Cup Dirt, kicked off this season with a win in the Kawasaki Kinen before his overseas G1 challenge in the Dubai World Cup in which he finished fourth. Then, after a seven month spell, The El Condor Pasa colt won the JBC Classic by an overwhelming margin. Though winless at Tokyo Racecourse, his explosive charge from racing mid-division is worth noting. His is sired by El Condor Pasa, who has already produced a Japan Cup Dirt winner, Alondite (2006 JRA Best Dirt Horse).
Furioso (JPN, 3c, by Brian’s Time, rating: 111I), who isowned by Darley Japan Farm and based at Funabashi Racecourse, won this year’s Japan Cup Dirt Derby and faced the older G1 runners that included Sunrise Bacchus (JPN, 5h, by Henessy) and Blue Concorde (7h, by Fusaichi Concorde, JPN)—the top two finishers in the G1 February Stakes—in the JBC Classic, finishing second to Vermilion. In his eight career starts over dirt, the well-muscled colt has won four and finished within the money in the rest.
Sunrise Bacchus (JPN, rating: 115M) and Blue Concorde (JPN, rating: 115M), who finished third and fourth respectively in their last start, JCB Classic, have always been consistent in been ranked among the top dirt runners. Sunrise Bacchus with his G1 win this season in the February Stakes (G1) and Blue Concorde who has also won two principal races on dirt have a good chance in being among the top finishers in this year’s Japan Cup Dirt.
Two outstanding three-year-olds are also worth noting.
Fusaichi Ho O (JPN, 3c, by Jungle Pocket, rating: 113I--turf) switches from turf races to dirt for the first time in this race. Sent to post favorite in this year’s Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), his potential is well recognized although he disappointed in this particular race and finished seventh. His switch to dirt races is also understandable considering his build and his bloodlines.
Dragon Fire (JPN, 3c, by Brian’s Time, rating 106I),who is coming off a four-race winning streak is a reminder of Alondite who won the race last year. Though facing a different class for the first time, his winning streak may have created an unstoppable momentum towards his first international G1 title.
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