Horse To Follow: American Stage
1st of 12, 2YO Open Sports Hochi Hai Chukyo Nisai Stakes
1200m (Turf), Chukyo
Saturday December 14
American Stage had already established himself as a serious dirt prospect but trainer Yoshito Yahagi could now have a dual-surface star and he is already focussed on an overseas feature.
Less than a week after an impressive 1,200m dirt win at Kyoto, Yahagi switched American Stage to the turf and he started $2.20 favourite at Chukyo, showing sustained speed in a dominant front-running display in the Chukyo Nisai Stakes (1,200m).
“Trying turf was a bet, but he showed us an ability that transcends speed,” Yahagi told Nikkan Sports after the race, adding that, “This has expanded our options to include turf.”
Those options include an overseas stakes race early next year, Yahagi identifying the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia as a likely target.
Yahagi, who boasts extensive international experience, has previously attempted the Riyadh Dirt Sprint with Justin, who was unplaced in 2021 and 2023.
American Stage’s turf debut oozed class. Breaking quickly to take the lead from the start, he maintained a smooth rhythm out in front and accelerated quickly when jockey Yasunari Iwata asked for an effort in the straight.
Unfazed by Chukyo’s uphill stretch, American Stage pulled away from his rivals to win by three and a half lengths over Pod Vader, completing the course in 1:09.1.
Just six days later and with no weight change, American Stage faced several well-backed horses including Pod Vader – winner of the Fukushima Nisai Stakes and a galloper with experience contesting turf sprints.
Despite backing up and racing on a new surface, he delivered a commanding performance and showed no ill-effects from the quick turnaround.
Jockey Yasunari Iwata was full of praise for the horse after the race: “He still felt strong even at the fourth corner,” he said. “I could feel he moved completely differently during the post parade. He could be competitive in Group 1 races on turf.”
The son of Into Mischief, purchased for $500,000 at last year’s Keeneland September Sale, now has a record of 6 starts with 3 wins (3:2-1-0).
After making his debut in September over 1800m on Chukyo’s dirt, it took American Stage three attempts to break his maiden. However, after switching back to 1200m at Kyoto in November, he led all the way to set a new record of 1:10.7, beating Love Me Chan’s 2009 record by 0.3 seconds.
In his next race, a Class 1 allowance at Kyoto on December 8, he again broke smoothly and led throughout, building momentum into the straight to run out a convincing four-length winner after posting the fastest closing sectional (36.1s final 600m) and an impressive overall time (1:11.2).
His sire Into Mischief, who was North America’s leading sire for five consecutive years until last year, is a distinguished stallion who has produced many Group 1 winners including Laurel River, winner of this year’s Dubai World Cup.
Though his dam Bonita Mia was unraced, she is a sister to Carina Mia (winner of the 2016 G1 Acorn Stakes), which further confirms his prestigious bloodline.
Rather than take American Stage up in distance on dirt, Yahagi called his horse a pure sprinter regardless of surface and his decision to try turf has opened up options for the future.
While it is quite an unusual challenge for a newly-turned three-year-old, perhaps American Stage might be the horse to bring a new accolade to an already renowned stable that has achieved great success on the world stage.
Future Outlook: There’s a new dual-surface star emerging in Japan’s sprint division ∎
