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, a son of Deep Impact.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, making his third start, was second. Ask Edinburgh, 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.
The Hopeful Stakes (G1T) is, by definition, a look to the future, and the performance put up by Lovcen 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, a son of Deep Impact.
