Japan: Ecora Alba tackles Grade 1 NHK Mile in first start of season

Ecora Alba lost his unbeaten record and a chance at the 2-year-old champion title with a fourth-place finish by 2 1/4 lengths in the Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes in Japan last December.

The season-ending race plays a vital role in championship voting.

Ecora Alba did not start in the early spring stakes for 3-year-olds in Japan, notably the Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas last month. Instead, he will start for the first time this year with a leading chance in Sunday’s Grade 1 NHK Mile for 3-year-olds at Tokyo Racecourse.

A winner of 2 of 3 starts, Ecora Alba may be the closer to fear in a field of 18 in the $1.61 million NHK Mile, a race unlikely to have a heavy favorite. Ecora Alba was 7-2 in early betting on Friday, slightly behind 3-1 Diamond Knot. Rodeo Drive, at 5-1, and Admire Quads and Cavallerizzo, each at 8-1, were also well-supported.

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Cavellerizzo won the Asahi Hai Futurity at a mile and was Japan’s champion 2-year-old male of 2025. He was a disappointing 13th of 18 as the 5-1 third choice in the Japanese 2000 Guineas at 1 1/4 miles on April 19, fading in the stretch. A return to a mile enhances his chance for a third win in his fifth start.

Admire Quads should benefit from the one-mile distance on Sunday. A winner of 2 of 5 starts, Admire Quads was 15th in the Japanese 2000 Guineas, also fading late.

The NHK Mile is a new distance for Diamond Knot, who has won 3 of 7 starts, with all the wins at seven furlongs. He won the Group 3 Falcon Stakes at that distance in his last start at Chukyo Racecourse on March 21 as the 3-5 favorite. Diamond Knot runs from off the pace.

Rodeo Drive, a stalker, was beaten for the first time in his third start when second by a neck in the Grade 2 New Zealand Trophy at a mile at Nakayama Racecourse on April 11. He has raced only at a mile.

The NHK Mile has a post time of 2:40 a.m. Eastern on Sunday.

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