A quality field is taking shape for the Japan Dirt Classic, the final leg of the newly created Dirt Triple Crown for 3-year-olds at Oi Racecourse Oct. 2.
The likely favorite is Susumu Fujita's Forever Young, who was a narrowly beaten third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs after winning the Saudi Derby (G3) at King Abdulaziz Feb. 24 and the UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan March 30.
The colt by Real Steel enjoyed a summer holiday at Northern Farm and returned to Yoshito Yahagi's barn at Ritto Training Center Sept. 3 to resume full training. Yahagi has already declared that Forever Young will travel back to the United States after the Dirt Derby to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 2.
Ramjet, winner of the Tokyo Derby, the second leg of the Dirt Triple Crown, by six lengths at Oi June 5, is also an intended runner in the Japan Dirt Classic. The colt by Majestic Warrior had an easy time during his summer at Daisen Hills, owner Koji Maeda's private training facility at Tottori. He has trained well at Ritto, where he has been since Aug. 24 under the watchful eye of trainer Shozo Sasaki.
Saint Honore by Epicharis, trained by Katsunori Arayama at Oi, won the Totsuki Kinen by six lengths at Kawasaki Sept. 4 and will be representing the National Association of Racing in the Dirt Classic.
