Australia: Bokuden looks to back up pedigree

He is by the legendary Japanese stallion Deep Impact and is out of Admire Pink, a two-time winner who was stakes-placed in Japan.

By any measure, Bokuden, the Australian-bred 3-year-old colt, has an outstanding pedigree. His race record may match those expectations this year.

Bokuden won his 2023 debut in a six-furlong maiden race for males at Kembla Grange Racecourse in Australia on May 27 and will have his second start of the year in a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs at Wyong Racecourse on Thursday evening.

Trained by the father and son team of Peter and Paul Snowden, Bokuden was the 4-1 co-favorite with Edge of Reward in early betting on Wednesday.

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The sprint handicap drew a field of 12 and is part of an eight-race program that begins at 10:05 p.m. Eastern or 7:05 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Bokuden has had four career starts, by far the least experience in the field. He had his first three starts for trainer Lee Freedman before joining the Snowdens earlier this year.

Bokuden will carry 129 pounds on Thursday evening, much lower than topweight Eiger at 137.7.

Edge of Reward, who starts from the rail, is expected to set the pace in his 13th start. Edge of Reward, who will carry 130, won a maiden race at 7 1/2 furlongs at Port Macquarie in January in his 12th start and was sixth of 12 in a six-furlong handicap at Newcastle on June 3 in his only subsequent race.

Edge of Reward was fourth early and was beaten slightly less than two lengths after racing near the front in the stretch.

Edge of Reward has set the pace at times, but would arguably be better suited to a stalking trip behind Lord Heron, a winner of 6 of 31 starts. Lord Heron was third in a seven-furlong handicap at Newcastle on June 10 in his first start since January, setting the pace before losing by two lengths.

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