Ceaselessly Younger simply handed his entrance examination for the Nov. 2 Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic with a no-nonsense victory Oct. 2 within the Japan Dust Basic at Oi Racecourse.
His connections stated they had been assured earlier than the race, relieved afterward, and anticipate much more from Ceaselessly Younger at Del Mar.
The Actual Metal colt, making his first begin since settling for third within the dramatic, roughly contested end of the Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve, received by 1 1/4 lengths after ready patiently simply behind the early chief after stumbling barely at the beginning. He wanted solely delicate encouragement from jockey Ryusei Sakai and runner-up Mikki Flight was not a severe risk.
“I believed we couldn’t lose, so I’m relieved,” Sakai stated. “I didn’t wish to be inside, so I believed to go to the lead. However as soon as he settled in second place, his rhythm was higher. I believed this was good competitors within the race, so I couldn’t let my guard down till the top.”
Coach Yoshito Yahagi, identified in worldwide racing circles as “the person within the hat” for his colourful race-day headwear, concurred.
“At first, I felt relieved. To be sincere, I used to be assured that we had expertise on our facet, however now we had a powerful subject towards us immediately. So, I believed they did properly to win.”
Ceaselessly Younger heads to Del Mar as a winner of six of his seven begins. The opposite victories embody the $1.5 million Saudi Derby in February and the $1 million United Arab Emirates Derby Sponsored by Atlantis The Royal in March. Yahagi stated his development by his three-Derby efficiency early within the yr, adopted by break, units him up for the Breeders’ Cup.
“He was turned out on the Northern Farm in Hokkaido, and he was so drained after the Kentucky Derby that he has wanted time to get better. To be sincere, I used to be solely in a position to end him about 80%,” the coach stated.
He stated Ceaselessly Younger will enter quarantine Oct. 14 and fly to the USA Oct. 22.
Yahagi masterminded Japan’s breakthrough Breeders’ Cup effort in 2021 at Del Mar, saddling Loves Solely You and Marche Lorraine to victory within the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and the Longines Breeder’s Cup Distaff, respectively.
“He hasn’t misplaced in Japan but,” Sakai famous of Ceaselessly Younger. “However we had a irritating expertise within the spring, so I’ve a powerful want to get revenge. I hope to point out off a powerful Ceaselessly Younger once more. He’ll proceed to do his finest, and I wish to win the subsequent in the USA.”
Ceaselessly Younger bumped repeatedly with runner-up Sierra Leone within the Kentucky Derby, however the stewards didn’t cling the inquiry signal, a call that sparked criticism. He completed a nostril behind a drifting-in Sierra Leone and two noses behind victorious Mystik Dan.
Sakai, Yahagi, and Ceaselessly Younger’s proprietor, Susumu Fujita, flip their speedy focus to France, the place they are going to attempt to finish Japan’s decades-long frustration within the Oct. 6 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Shin Emperor.
Of the three Japanese-trained horses headed for the Breeders’ Cup Basic, Ceaselessly Younger is the one one exiting a prep-race victory. Derma Sotogake, who completed second within the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic at Santa Anita, and A number of Group 1 winner Ushba Tesoro, fifth in that race, completed fifth and second within the Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Racecourse Sept. 25.
Ceaselessly Younger’s sire, Actual Metal, is by Deep Impression, a son of Sunday Silence — sires who’ve formed Japanese racing. His dam, Ceaselessly Darling, is by Congrats, a son of A.P. Indy.
