Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who has become well-known for his success in international competition, is preparing to send a team of three runners to California for the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
The flag bearer of the team is none other than Forever Young, who exits a victory in the Oct. 1 Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi—his first start since finishing third in the April 5 Dubai World Cup (G1)—very well and tries to become the first Japanese-trained winner of the Breeders Cup Classic (G1).
Targeting the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) for Yahagi Stable is American Stage, a 3-year-old Into Mischief colt bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm and purchased at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $500,000.
American Stage started six times as a 2-year-old, winning the last three. He was shipped to Dubai in the spring where he ran second to the older Tuz in the March 1 Mahab Al Shimaal (G3). He then suffered a distal radius fracture when he finished sixth against older in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) April 5. Returning Oct. 5 at Kyoto Racecourse, he finished second in the Fujinomori Stakes.
The third arrow from the Yahagi Stable is Switch in Love, who is targeting the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T). The 2-year-old Contrail filly finished second in the Nojigiku Stakes over 1,600 meters on the Hanshin Racecourse turf course Sept. 20.
