Japan: Admire Zoom clinches 2-year-old male title with Asahi Hai Futurity victory

Five weeks after beating maidens in a one-mile race at Kyoto Racecourse in Japan, Admire Zoom returned over the same course and distance to win Sunday’s Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity and clinch the title of champion 2-year-old male.

Ridden by Yuga Kawada, Admire Zoom, who paid $17.20 in American pools, was always near the front, stalking 93-1 Daishan Ra for the first six furlongs. In early stretch, Admire Zoom took the lead and scooted clear, winning by 2 1/2 lengths over 2-1 favorite Museum Mile.

“His last race was also very impressive and I knew he had great potential to win this one, too,” Kawada told Japan Racing Association publicity. “He was in a good rhythm coming into the last corner, so I was able to bring out his best performance and I knew then he was unbeatable.”

Lance of Chaos (61-1) closed from the middle of the field of 16 to finish third. Arte Veloce, the 2-1 favorite in Japanese pools and 3-1 in American pools, finished fifth after racing in traffic.

The $882,500 Asahi Hai Futurity is widely recognized as the championship race of the 2-year-old male division.

Admire Zoom, a colt by Maurice, has won 2 of 3 starts. Trained by Yasuo Tomomichi for owner Junko Kondo, Admire Zoom was fourth in his debut in a race for first-time starters at Kyoto on Oct. 5 before the maiden race win on Nov. 10.

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