Japan: Undefeated Serifos has little margin for error in Asahi Hai Futurity at Hanshin
Danson Scorpion, Do Deuce, Geoglyph, and Serifos are the four principal runners in a field of 15 in Sunday’s Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity for 2-year-olds at a mile at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan.
The four colts have quite a lot in common: They are undefeated after at least two starts, have won at distances ranging from a mile to 1 1/8 miles, and have similar styles of racing from off the pace.
Of the select group, Serifos is the most accomplished with three wins, including two graded stakes. As of Friday, Serifos was a strong favorite on the basis of a key win in the Grade 2 Nisai Stakes at a mile at Hanshin on Oct. 13.
:: Free Past Performances for Hanshin.
:: Full-card selections for Hanshin.
There is no margin for error for any of the leading chances in the $1.19 million Asahi Hai Futurity. Jockey Cristian Demuro takes the mount for the first time on Serifos, who will need a clear trip to retain his unbeaten record. The winner is widely expected to be named Japan’s champion 2-year-old colt of 2021.
Demuro was aboard Serifos for a recent workout.
“I’ve been able to feel what a good condition he’s in,” Demuro told Japan Racing Association publicists. “He’s calm mentally, and it feels like he’s capable of anything. He’s already shown he’s a good horse. If that wasn’t the case, he wouldn’t have already won three races.”
The Asahi Hai Futurity has a post time of 1:40 a.m. Eastern on Sunday or 10:40 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
Geoglyph is rated as the most significant threat to Serifos on the basis of two wins at 1 1/8 miles in a maiden race at Tokyo in June and the Grade 3 Sapporo Nisai Stakes at Sapporo Racecourse on Sept. 4. Geoglyph was given a vacation at a farm following that race before returning to the track in preparation for the Asahi Hai Futurity.
The Asahi Hai Futurity will be the graded stakes debut for Danon Scorpion, who won the Hagi Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Hanshin on Oct. 30 in his second start, and Do Deuce, who won the Ivy Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Tokyo Racecourse on Oct. 23 in his second start.
Of the four main runners, Do Deuce is likely to be the closest to the front midway through the race.
Danon Scorpion has pedigree with a North American influence. Danon Scorpion is by Lord Kanaloa and is out of Lexie Lou, the Canadian Horse of the Year in 2014. Lexie Lou, by Sligo Bay, was sold for $1 million at the 2016 Keeneland November sale.