G1 Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile ready for historic achievement in the G1 Kikuka Sho
Thursday, 17 October, 2024 22:55
Danon Decile (Photo: Kentaro Ishii)
Danon Decile, the G1 Japanese Derby winner, completed his final tune-up on the 16th with a light breeze on the Ritto Training Center slope course, clocking 4 furlongs in 54.2 seconds, with splits of 40.1 and 13.1. The colt showed he was in top form as he headed into the G1 Kikuka Sho, aiming to capture the final jewel of the Triple Crown. If successful, he would become the first horse to win both the Japanese Derby and Kikuka Sho since Take Hope in 1973. Despite heading straight to the Kikuka Sho without a prep race, the colt seems primed for the historic feat. Other contenders, such as Kobe Shimbun Hai winner Meisho Tabaru and St Lite Kinen winner Urban Chic, also appear ready for the big day.
Danon Decile's connections opted for a lighter workload in his final work. The Japanese Derby champion, ridden by trainer Shogo Yasuda, moved effortlessly on the slope course, posting 54.2 for 4 furlongs with an even and composed stride. Yasuda remarked, "After last week's trackwork, the horse remained calm, without becoming over-excited. Today's work was less about trying to calm him down than the Derby."
Following his Derby victory, the decision was made to skip prep races, mindful of the summer heat, and head straight to the Kikuka Sho. The horse has shown significant improvement over the summer, and jockey Norihiro Yokoyama, who has been aboard Danon Decile during training, noted, "When I got on him, I realized how much he's grown. His physique is incredible." Trainer Yasuda echoed these sentiments, saying, "In the spring, his frame hadn't filled out with muscle, but now he has the volume to match his structure."
The 3000-meter distance of the Kikuka Sho remains unknown, but Yokoyama expressed confidence, saying, "I'm not worried at all. A shorter distance like 1200 meters would be more concerning." He continued, "After the Derby, it was hard to pull him up, so I knew longer distances would suit him. My job is to help Danon Decile unleash his full potential." With everything in place, the colt is ready to pursue the elusive Derby-Kikuka Sho double, a feat not achieved in 51 years since Take Hope.
Danon Decile's connections opted for a lighter workload in his final work. The Japanese Derby champion, ridden by trainer Shogo Yasuda, moved effortlessly on the slope course, posting 54.2 for 4 furlongs with an even and composed stride. Yasuda remarked, "After last week's trackwork, the horse remained calm, without becoming over-excited. Today's work was less about trying to calm him down than the Derby."
Following his Derby victory, the decision was made to skip prep races, mindful of the summer heat, and head straight to the Kikuka Sho. The horse has shown significant improvement over the summer, and jockey Norihiro Yokoyama, who has been aboard Danon Decile during training, noted, "When I got on him, I realized how much he's grown. His physique is incredible." Trainer Yasuda echoed these sentiments, saying, "In the spring, his frame hadn't filled out with muscle, but now he has the volume to match his structure."
The 3000-meter distance of the Kikuka Sho remains unknown, but Yokoyama expressed confidence, saying, "I'm not worried at all. A shorter distance like 1200 meters would be more concerning." He continued, "After the Derby, it was hard to pull him up, so I knew longer distances would suit him. My job is to help Danon Decile unleash his full potential." With everything in place, the colt is ready to pursue the elusive Derby-Kikuka Sho double, a feat not achieved in 51 years since Take Hope.
Article Creds:Daily Sports