Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse, awarding qualifications points on a 30-12-6-3 basis to the top four finishers. It is the third of four Derby points races on the Japan road.
A dozen promising 3-year-olds have been entered in the 1,600-meter event, which will take place at 12:25 a.m. EST. The 12-race card at Tokyo also includes the prestigious Grade 1 Mile Championship, in which reigning Hyacinth winner Cafe Pharoah will make his 2021 debut.
Who are the key contenders in the Hyacinth? And which horse(s) might we see compete in the Kentucky Derby 2 1/2 months from now? Let’s dig in and examine the most intriguing runners:
Takeru Pegasus looks to take flight in Hyacinth Feb 19, 2021 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com
Takeru Pegasus nearly wired the first race on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Nov. 28 Cattleya Stakes, only to be run down late by Lemon Pop. Sunday’s Hyacinth Stakes is held over the same metric mile at Tokyo, and with no Lemon Pop in the line-up, Takeru Pegasus will try to go one better.
A nine-length maiden winner here Nov. 7, Takeru Pegasus earned four points for his runner-up effort in the Cattleya. The Yukihiro Kato trainee was 10 lengths clear of the rest that day. A similar performance would make him the top threat in the Hyacinth, which is worth triple the points – 30-12-6-3 to the respective top four.