Mick Fire aims for the unbeaten dirt triple-crown in JpnI Japan Dirt Derby
Tuesday, 11 July, 2023 18:55
Mick Fire aims for the unbeaten dirt triple crown (Photo: Masakazu Takahashi)
The Japan Dirt Derby will take place at Oi Racecourse on July 12th. It is the final leg of the NAR South Kanto region Triple Crown and will determine the Champion Three-Year-Old Dirt horse. Once again, this year's race has attracted a strong field from both the JRA and NAR.
This year marks the final edition of the race under its current format and title as changes are planned for the race's criteria and race names in the coming year. Will Mick Fire who showcased a remarkable performance in the Haneda Hai and Tokyo Derby, achieve an undefeated dirt triple crown and etch his name in the history books? The scheduled start time for the race is 8:10 p.m (JST). on the 12th. The main expected runners are as follows:
Mick Fire, a colt from Oi racecourse trained by Kazuo Watanabe
Despite a five-month break and his first attempt at a graded stakes race, Mick Fire won by a race record margin of six lengths. He reshaped the power dynamics of his generation and emerged as a Triple Crown candidate overnight. In the subsequent Tokyo Derby, he rallied with the fastest final three furlongs and won by another six lengths. His performance clearly stands out even among the NAR South Kanto region contenders and there is great anticipation even with the elite JRA horses in opposition. Expectations are high for an undefeated triple-crown victory.
Mitono O, a colt from Miho trained by Kouji Maki
He has only faltered once in his five career starts. In last November's Oxalis Sho, he finished 11th but that can be disregarded as he had difficulty behind an scorching pace in the 1400m race and he also faced significant disadvantages on the backstretch. He quickly bounced back with a win in the Kurotake Sho in January, followed by a comfortable victory with a two-and-a-half-length win in the Fukuryu Stakes. In his previous start in the Hyogo Championship, he handled the local NAR course without any problems winning by a comfortable six lengths.
The key is the change in track configuration, but his strategy will likely be to break well and give his all from the front.
Yuttitham, a colt from Ritto trained by Naosuke Sugai
In his debut race in August last year, he was defeated by Perrier who will later win this year's G3 Unicorn Stakes, but he rebounded strongly winning his subsequent maiden race by eight lengths and a conditions race by three lengths. In his last start in the Seiryu Stakes, he faced several unfamiliar factors such as returning from a break, shortening in distance, and experiencing a one-corner course for the first time. However, he unleashed the fastest closing three furlong splits in the homestretch and won by two and a half lengths.
Yuttiham's sire, Justify won the American Triple Crown in 2018, and his dam Sibessa, also won a US G1 race. This promising colt, acquired for over 200 million yen may show his true power and quality on this big stage.
Omatsuri Otoko, a colt from Miho trained by Keizo Ito
His dam, Matsuribayashi achieved success in the Hokkaido and South Kanto region NAR racetracks, having competed in several major races at Oi. After making his debut in June last year, he won the Hyogo Junior Grand Prix and finished third in the Hakodate 2-Year-Old Stakes and second in the All-Japan 2-Year-Old Derby in the same year. He experienced a drop in form earlier this spring but showed signs of a comeback in his last start in the G3 Unicorn Stakes. He aims for a complete revival in form on a surface and direction he relishes, right-handed dirt.
Other notable contenders include Kirinji who finished second in the Hyogo Championship, and Aroperator who won the previous Taka Tori Tokubetsu by a commanding seven-length margin.
This year marks the final edition of the race under its current format and title as changes are planned for the race's criteria and race names in the coming year. Will Mick Fire who showcased a remarkable performance in the Haneda Hai and Tokyo Derby, achieve an undefeated dirt triple crown and etch his name in the history books? The scheduled start time for the race is 8:10 p.m (JST). on the 12th. The main expected runners are as follows:
Mick Fire, a colt from Oi racecourse trained by Kazuo Watanabe
Despite a five-month break and his first attempt at a graded stakes race, Mick Fire won by a race record margin of six lengths. He reshaped the power dynamics of his generation and emerged as a Triple Crown candidate overnight. In the subsequent Tokyo Derby, he rallied with the fastest final three furlongs and won by another six lengths. His performance clearly stands out even among the NAR South Kanto region contenders and there is great anticipation even with the elite JRA horses in opposition. Expectations are high for an undefeated triple-crown victory.
Mitono O, a colt from Miho trained by Kouji Maki
He has only faltered once in his five career starts. In last November's Oxalis Sho, he finished 11th but that can be disregarded as he had difficulty behind an scorching pace in the 1400m race and he also faced significant disadvantages on the backstretch. He quickly bounced back with a win in the Kurotake Sho in January, followed by a comfortable victory with a two-and-a-half-length win in the Fukuryu Stakes. In his previous start in the Hyogo Championship, he handled the local NAR course without any problems winning by a comfortable six lengths.
The key is the change in track configuration, but his strategy will likely be to break well and give his all from the front.
Yuttitham, a colt from Ritto trained by Naosuke Sugai
In his debut race in August last year, he was defeated by Perrier who will later win this year's G3 Unicorn Stakes, but he rebounded strongly winning his subsequent maiden race by eight lengths and a conditions race by three lengths. In his last start in the Seiryu Stakes, he faced several unfamiliar factors such as returning from a break, shortening in distance, and experiencing a one-corner course for the first time. However, he unleashed the fastest closing three furlong splits in the homestretch and won by two and a half lengths.
Yuttiham's sire, Justify won the American Triple Crown in 2018, and his dam Sibessa, also won a US G1 race. This promising colt, acquired for over 200 million yen may show his true power and quality on this big stage.
Omatsuri Otoko, a colt from Miho trained by Keizo Ito
His dam, Matsuribayashi achieved success in the Hokkaido and South Kanto region NAR racetracks, having competed in several major races at Oi. After making his debut in June last year, he won the Hyogo Junior Grand Prix and finished third in the Hakodate 2-Year-Old Stakes and second in the All-Japan 2-Year-Old Derby in the same year. He experienced a drop in form earlier this spring but showed signs of a comeback in his last start in the G3 Unicorn Stakes. He aims for a complete revival in form on a surface and direction he relishes, right-handed dirt.
Other notable contenders include Kirinji who finished second in the Hyogo Championship, and Aroperator who won the previous Taka Tori Tokubetsu by a commanding seven-length margin.