Japan: Resistencia takes on the boys in NHK Mile at Tokyo Racecourse

Resistencia, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2019 in Japan, will have a new rider and a new set of rivals when she starts as the expected favored in Sunday’s Grade 1 NHK Mile for 3-year-olds at Tokyo Racecourse.

Resistencia will face males for the first time in the $1.92 million race, which drew a field of 14 colts and four fillies. Geldings are excluded.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Christophe Lemaire, who through Friday was second in the jockey standings at Japan Racing Association tracks, will have the mount on Resistencia for the first time.

Resistencia, by Daiwa Major, has won 3 of 5 starts. Trained by Takeshi Matsushita, Resistencia was unbeaten in three starts last year, including a title-clinching win in the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in December.

Earlier this year, Resistencia was third by 1 1/4 lengths in the Grade 2 Tulip Sho at a mile at Hansin on March 7 and second by 1 1/2 lengths in the Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas at the same venue and distance on April 12.

The turf course was yielding at Hanshin on April 12, but conditions are expected to be better at Tokyo on Sunday.

The NHK Mile is part of a 12-race program at Tokyo Racecourse that begins at 9:05 p.m. Eastern, or 6:05 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. The NHK Mile has a post time of 2:40 a.m. Eastern on Sunday, or 11:40 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

In very early betting on Friday evening in Tokyo, Taisei Vision was a slight favorite over Resistencia.

Taisei Vision won the Group 3 Arlington Cup at a mile at Hanshin on April 18 in his 3-year-old debut, his third win in five career starts.

The NHK Mile will be the Group 1 debut for the undefeated Luftstrom, who won the Group 2 New Zealand Trophy at a mile at Nakayama Racecourse in his stakes debut and third career start on April 11.