Cavallerizzo claims Asahi Hai Futurity in Japan

Second choice Cavallerizzo claimed the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1) on Sunday to earn the title of Japan's 2-year-old champion miler for 2025.

The son of Saturnalia broke his maiden in his debut start in late August at Chukyo (1,600m) and finished second to race favorite Admire Quads in the Daily Hai Nisai Stakes (G2) at Kyoto (1,600m) on Nov. 15.

Trainer Tatsuya Yoshioka scored his second JRA Grade 1 title following last year's Takarazuka Kinen (G1) with Blow the Horn. Jockey Cristian Demuro, who has been riding in Japan under a short-term license since Nov. 1, registered his sixth Grade 1 title, his most recent being the 2024 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) with Stunning Rose.

The victory gave Cavallerizzo's sire Saturnalia, the 2019 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) winner who stands at stud since 2021, his first Grade 1 winner.

On yielding ground, Cavallerizzo settled in midfield on the outside of Ecoro Alba, who ran on the rails behind Corteo Soleil as the field approached the final turns. As the field fanned out and remained in a two-wide position at the top of the stretch, Demuro guided his mount through an opening on the rails instead of shifting out. With the pacesetter Diamond Knot the lone obstacle by the 200-meter pole, the son of Saturnalia closed powerfully with the fastest late speed to overtake the leader before the wire for a 3/4-length victory.

"After a normal start, I had a good position behind Yuga (Kawada). In the last corner I had a little bit of a trouble with another horse next to me but when I asked my horse to go inside, he had a good reaction, a good turn of foot. Christophe (Lemaire) was trying to escape but my horse was very strong in the end," Demuro said.

Fifth choice Diamond Knot broke sharply to set the pace, putting a length and a half between himself and the rest of the field by the 800-meter marker. The son of Bricks and Mortar stubbornly held on to his lead up to the final strides but gave way to the fast-closing winner for second.

Breaking moderately from a wide gate, Admire Quads sat unhurried in fourth from the rear before advancing rapidly from the outside before the last turn, making a wide bid into the lane. As the runners in front gradually tired, the race favorite closed from the outside and drew even to briefly rally with Ecoro Alba in the last 50 meters, then dug in with another gear in the final strides to secure third.