Japan: Command Line likely favorite in Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama
The 2-year-old colt Command Line has fashionable elements of Japanese and American bloodlines in his immediate family.
No wonder the undefeated colt will be favored to end his 2-year-old season with a victory in Tuesday’s Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Nakayama Racecourse in Japan.
Command Line is by the legendary Japanese stallion Deep Impact, who died in 2019. Command Line is out of Condo Commando, a Kentucky-bred mare who won three graded stakes in New York in 2014 and 2015, notably the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga in 2014.
Condo Commando, by Tiz Wonderful, was sold for $1.5 million at the 2015 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
Command Line has started twice, with both races at a mile at Tokyo Racecourse - a maiden race at a mile in June and the Group 3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup in October.
The $1.18 million Hopeful Stakes will be a distance test for Command Line, who will be ridden by leading jockey Christophe Lemaire. Command Line is trained by Sakae Kuneida, who also trains Circle of Life, Japan’s top 2-year-old filly this year.
Command Line is part of a competitive field of 15 that includes a few runners with distance experience.
There will be support for Fidele and Killer Ability. Fidele was third in the Grade 3 Nisai Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Hanshin Racecourse on Nov. 27 in his stakes debut, losing by a half-length. Killer Ability was second in the Hagi Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Hanshin Racecourse on Oct. 30, finishing a neck behind Danon Scorpion. More recently, Danon Scorpion was third in the Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity at Hanshin on Dec. 19.
Lagulf is capable of a surprise. A winner of 2 of 3 starts, Lagulf won the Fuyo Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Nakayama Racecourse on Oct. 7, closing from seventh in a field of 10.
The Hopeful Stakes has a post time of 1:25 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, or 10:25 p.m. Pacific on Monday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.