Lovcen Takes Japan's Hopeful in Just His Second Start

The Hopeful Stakes (G1T) is, by definition, a look to the future, and the performance put up by Lovcen (JPN) in winning the Dec. 27 renewal at Nakayama Racecourse filled the bill right on cue. The dark bay colt was making just his second start in the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) test and confirmed the promise shown in winning his debut Nov. 9 at Kyoto Racecourse by 3 lengths. It also was the first grade 1 win for his sire, the appropriately named World Premiere (JPN), a son of Deep Impact. The future looks hopeful, indeed, for owner Forest Racing and trainer Haruki Sugiyama. This Hopeful always rated as something of a tossup with none of the 16 starters having won as much as a grade 2 race earlier in their career and several, like Lovcen, coming off maiden victories. The result confirmed that as the two favorites, Anduril (JPN) and Justin Vista (JPN), got home seventh and eighth, respectively. Lovcen, out of the Giant's Causeway mare Songwriting, saved ground along the rail well back in the field through the early furlongs of the Hopeful. Jockey Kohei Matsuyama, who won the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1T) two weeks earlier aboard Star Anise (JPN), needed room as the field rounded the stretch turn. At just the right time, space cleared to his outside and Matsuyama filled the gap, shifting his colt abruptly toward the middle of the course approaching the 200-meter mark. Lovcen did the rest. Kicking quickly into gear, he hit the front in the closing strides and won by three-quarters of a length, finishing in 2:01 over turf rated good to firm. Forte Angelo (JPN), making his third start, was second. Ask Edinburgh (JPN), one of the most experienced runners in the field, finished third in his sixth start. Matsuyama said the trip worked out as he had hoped. "I was hoping that he would break well, run in good rhythm, and have plenty left in the tank, which I'm happy that he did," the rider said. "He had shown a remarkable turn of foot in training, so I knew he would have the strength to catch the leaders." Lovcen's debut win came with different tactics. On a raw, rainy day at Kyoto, Matsuyama let the colt go from the start. He led all the way, turned back challenges easily on the stretch turn and won going away. "Since his first win was over yielding ground, the colt has proven his versatility today, so we have a lot to look forward to in his future starts," Matsuyama said after the Hopeful trophy ceremony. Before the race, trainer Sugiyama had Lovcen pegged, except perhaps for how much ground he was left to cover in the stretch run. "He's switched on... and I think he's going to do a good job here," Sugiyama said. "He doesn't have to lead, but he will be near the front. I think Nakayama will suit him." The Hopeful was the last of three December grade 1s for Japanese 2-year-olds and the most important for horses being considered for the following year's Japanese classics and beyond. On the honor roll of its winners are the likes of eventual 2011 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Victoire Pisa (JPN), 2014 Japan Cup (G1T) winner Epiphaneia (JPN), 2017 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1T) winner Rey de Oro (JPN), 2020 Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail (JPN), and 2025 Japanese Derby winner Croix du Nord (JPN). The 2023 Hopeful winner, Regaleira (JPN), won the 2024 Arima Kinen (G1T) and is favored to repeat in that race Dec. 28.