Sons of Deep Impact loom large at Nakayama

Two colts from the first crop of Deep Impact, Real Impact and Libertas, should feature prominently at Nakayama on Sunday in the $1.6 million Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, Japan’s definitive juvenile event.

Real Impact, trained by Noriyuki Hori, is the more accomplished of the two at this stage, having finished second in the seven-furlong, Grade 2 Keio Hai Nisei Stakes, but as he is out of the sprinting mare Tokio Reality, he is not certain to stay the Futurity’s mile. Fran Berry flies in from Ireland for the ride. Libertas, trained by Vodka’s trainer, Katsuhiko Sumii, won his maiden race going 1 1/8 miles at Hanshin and has since taken a one-mile allowance at the same track. A son of French Oaks and Prix Vermeille winner Carling, he will be ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga.

Fukunaga was in the saddle last Sunday when Reve d’Essor landed Japan’s championship 2-year-old filly event, the one-mile Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Reve d’Essor had previously had Grand Prix Boss back in seventh place when winning the Grade 2 Daily Hai Nisei Stakes, but Grand Prix Boss bounced back to take the Keio Hai Nisei by three-quarters of a length from Real Impact and should be a major player on Sunday.

Admire Sagace was second in the Daily Hai Nisei, but the real danger could be Sadamu Patek. Trained by Masato Nishizono, this Fuji Kiseki colt is coming off an authoritative 3 1/2-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile, Grade 3 Sports Hai Nisei Stakes at Tokyo and will once again enjoy the services of Christophe Soumillon.