Natural Rise may join Forever Young in tackling gun American three-year-olds Sovereignty and Journalism in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic after bettering the Saudi Cup winner’s 2000m Oi sand track record with a commanding win in the JPN1 Tokyo Derby on Wednesday.
First, though, Natural Rise must complete the first ever sweep of the NAR Triple Crown when he contests October’s JPN1 Japan Dirt Classic (2000m) – a race won last year by Forever Young before he finished third to Sierra Leone at Del Mar. The NAR Triple Crown was only established in 2024, providing an alternative to Japan’s traditional Triple Crown on turf as well as the American Triple Crown.
Ridden again by regular partner Takeshi Yokoyama, Keizo Ito-trained Natural Rise made it five wins from six starts, holding off the late-surging Clay King by two and a half lengths in the second leg of the NAR Triple Crown. He had won the first leg, the JPN1 Haneda Hai (1800m), by a widening five lengths.
Just like in the Haneda Hai, though, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Natural Rise. Beginning well, Yokoyama attempted to find a trailing position behind early leader Smile Mambo. His mount, though, was having none of that, reefing and tearing until Yokoyama was left with no choice but to let him go.
Even as Natural Rise strode clear into the first corner, he was still fighting Yokoyama hard at a strong tempo. The packed Tokyo City Keiba crowd erupted as the 1.5 favourite refused to settle, putting five lengths on his rivals. At halfway, he finally dropped his head and came back to the field, maintaining a slight advantage on the home turn.
Once again, Natural Rise drifted dangerously towards the right upon straightening and Yokoyama was flailing from his left flank, imploring him not to crash into the rail. Despite it all, he sprinted with great authority once finding the rail and had a clear margin over his rivals at the finish.
“The horse was well backed, so I am relieved he could win,” Yokoyama said. “I know his ability is undoubtedly very good, so all my focus was on bringing out his full potential. However, he is not very easy to deal with, so I was a little bit concerned during the race.
“I am so grateful to him. I can’t say I rode this race very well, but the horse ran really hard, and we were able to achieve a great result. He’s not an easy horse, but he is very focused.”
Ito added: “Compared to his last race, we removed the blinkers and used a pacifier instead. I think it helped him to calm down in the paddock and before the race, but it didn’t help him in the race at all! He won in spite of his behaviour during the race, though, so I think he is really good.
“This race was one furlong longer than his last race and that made the distance from the start to the first turn that much longer. The horse was really eager during that run to the first turn and when he went to the front I was worried about how this would go. I didn’t expect him to take the lead; I was more hoping for him to be racing in second or third. However, the jockey made the adjustment as needed.
“It’s pretty amazing that he could accelerate like that near the inside fence. Horses usually don’t accelerate like that, especially that close to the rail. I think he will go back to his birthplace, Grand Farm in Hokkaido, for a summer break and then we will target him to the Japan Dirt Classic. We will likely go there fresh, without another run.”
New York Racing Association (NYRA) racecaller Frank Mirahmadi was quick to label Sovereignty as the “best three-year-old in the world” after his strong G1 Belmont Stakes victory and that was a claim backed up by the latest World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, which had Sovereignty two pounds clear of Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Field Of Gold.
However, Natural Rise is also laying down a pathway to challenge for that title by season’s end.
First, though, he will have to prove himself the best dirt three-year-old in Japan. He will likely face beaten Kentucky Derby runners Luxor Cafe and Admire Daytona at his next start, as well as highly touted horses like Janadriyah – third in the Haneda Hai but unbeaten before that – and Melchior. ∎
