Lovcen takes Japanese Derby, second leg of that country's Triple Crown

Lovcen overcame a wide trip to win Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese Derby at Tokyo Racecourse, securing the first two divisions of the country’s Triple Crown.

Lovcen started from post 17 in a field of 18 and was three-wide or four-wide throughout. He rallied from the middle of the field through the final quarter-mile to win by a head, edging an unlucky Peintre Naif at the wire.

The $3.8 million Japanese Derby at 1 1/2 miles was Lovcen’s longest start, and his fourth win in his fifth start.

“We weren’t able to sit in the most ideal position due to the wide draw, but Lovcen showed an incredible turn of foot which proves his strength and versatility,” winning rider Kohei Matsuyama told Japan Racing Association publicists. “He still has potential and we have a lot to look forward to.

“I still can’t believe I’m now a Derby jockey. It was surreal coming back to the stands and being greeted by the enormous cheering crowd. I couldn’t hold back the tears.”

The Japanese Derby program drew an announced crowd of 84,731, compared to 82,040 last year.

Lovcen paid $5.60 as the favorite in American pools.

Peintre Naif (17-1) finished three-quarters of a length in front of 29-1 Basse Terre, who led in the final furlong. Realize Sirius, the 4-1 second choice, finished seventh. Realize Sirius was second behind Lovcen in the Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas in April, the first division of the Triple Crown series. The third race is the Grade 1 Japanese St. Leger at 1 7/8 miles at Kyoto Racecourse on Oct. 23.

Lovcen, trained by Haruki Sugiyama for Forest Racing, is the 25th horse to sweep the Japanese 2000 Guineas and Japanese Derby, and first since Contrail in 2020. By World Premiere, Lovcen has won three Grade 1 races, beginning with the Hopeful Stakes at 1 1/4 miles for 2-year-olds last December.

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