An upcoming featured Japan Racing Association race is the March 9 Yayoi Sho (G2) for 3-year-olds at Nakayama Racecourse, which is widely recognized as a springboard for future stars.
Last year's race, sometimes referred to as the Japanese Two Thousand Guineas Trial, saw Shin Emperor, finish second to Cosmo Kuranda. Shin Emperor this year won the Feb. 22 Neom Turf Cup (G2T) at Riyadh after finishing a dead-heat second to Do Deuce in the Japan Cup (G1).
Tastiera, winner of Yayoi Sho in 2023, won the Japanese Derby (G1) the same year. Ask Victor More, winner of Yoyai Sho in 2022, won the Japanese St Leger (G1). The runner-up to Ask Victor More in that Yoyoi Sho was Do Deuce, winner of five grade 1 races and the Japan Racing Association's Horse of the Year in 2024. Titleholder, winner of the 2021 Yayoi Sho, won three grade 1 races and was awarded JRA Champion Older Male in 2022.
The likely favorite for the 2025 Yoyoi Sho, which takes place on the same course and at the same distance as the Satsuki Sho (G1), the first leg of Japanese Triple Crown for 3-year-olds, is Museum Mile, who finished second in Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) at Kyoto Dec. 15, despite a bad break. He impressively won the Kigiku Sho at Kyoto Nov. 10 by three lengths.
Fresh challengers await in the field of the Yoyoi Sho, including Vincentio and Naglfar, both of which are unbeaten in two starts.
