Japan: Asahi Hai Futurity could have championship implications for top trio
Admire Quads, Ecoro Alba, and Realize Sirius have had similar preparations for Sunday’s Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity for 2-year-olds at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan.
The trio won races for first-time starters and followed with graded stakes wins in their only appearances.
Realize Sirius had the earliest start, winning at a mile in his debut at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan on June 15. A stalker, Realize Sirius followed with a four-length win in the Grade 3 Nisai Sakes at Niigata Racecourse on Aug. 24.
Ecora Alba won a seven-furlong race in his first start at Niigata on July 26, and the Grade 3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup at a mile by 1 1/2 lengths at Tokyo on Oct. 11.
A week after Ecora Alba’s stakes win, Admire Quads won a one-mile race in his debut at Tokyo, which led to a head win over Cavallerizzo in the Grade 2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes at a mile at Kyoto Racecourse on Nov. 15.
Those three are part of a field of 14 in the $860,600 Asahi Hai Futurity, a race that plays an important role in determining Japan’s 2-year-old male championship. Sunday’s field includes two fillies – Cosmo Red and White Orchid.
Admire Quads, who runs from off the pace, was favored in his two wins, as was Realize Sirius. One of them could have the role of favorite in Sunday in what should be a tight betting race.
Cavallerizzo was a game second in the Daily Hai Nisai Stakes. Closing on the inside, Cavellerizzo took the lead in the stretch, but was caught by Admire Quads who closed on the inside. The two fought to the finish before Admire Quads won narrowly. They were five lengths clear of third-place finish I Got It.
The Asahi Hai Futurity has a post time of 1:40 a.m. Eastern on Sunday or 10:40 p.m. Pacific on Saturday.
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