Lovchen Mountain targets Japanese Triple Crown glory
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago4 MIN
Summary
Lovchen Mountain will attempt to complete Japan’s three-year-old colts’ Triple Crown in the Kikuka Sho, a 3,000-metre Group 1 race at Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday, October 25. The race carries total prize money of ¥434 million, about HK$21.6 million, and comes after Lovchen Mountain captured the Japanese 2000 Guineas and Japanese Derby earlier this season. A victory would place the horse alongside a select list of past Japanese Triple Crown winners, while also giving trainer Haruki Sugiyama (杉山晴紀) and jockey Kohei Matsuyama (松山弘平) another classic clean sweep after their 2020 fillies’ Triple Crown success with Daring Tact.
Key Points
- The Kikuka Sho is the final leg of Japan’s Triple Crown, set for Sunday, October 25, over 3,000 metres at Kyoto Racecourse.
- Lovchen Mountain has won five of six starts, including the Japanese 2000 Guineas, Japanese Derby and a September 21 comeback win in the Kobe Shimbun Hai.
- Trainer Haruki Sugiyama said the horse hesitated after drawing gate one in its last start, but accelerated strongly once moved wide.
- Noda Oseki, switched to Christophe Lemaire after an eight-length win over 2,600 metres at Sapporo on August 16, is seen as a major threat.
- Tsutenhi, ridden by Yutaka Take, and the improving Morocco Blue, a three-race winner stepping into Group 1 company, are also notable contenders.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong racing followers, the Kikuka Sho is a major overseas feature on Sunday’s simulcast schedule, with the race listed as the first event in the second overseas group and due off at 2:40pm Hong Kong time. Lovchen Mountain’s bid for a rare Triple Crown adds historical weight to a race that already draws strong attention from bettors and fans in Hong Kong.