Master Fencer wins comeback; on Pegasus World Cup radar?

Master Fencer, who appeared in multiple legs of the 2019 Triple Crown series, out-classed his foes Saturday when returning at Chukyo Racecourse in his native Japan, where he was running for the first time since July.

The son of Just a Way, owned by Katsumi Yoshizawa and trained by Koichi Tsunoda, rolled to a three-length win in the Inuyama Tokebetsu, an allowance race run under handicap conditions.

Master Fencer carried the high weight of 56kg in the field of 16 and stopped the clock in 1:59 for 1900m, or about 1 3/16 miles.

Whereas American racing fans saw Master Fencer close from far back to receive a sixth placing in the Kentucky Derby and fifth in the Belmont Stakes, he was more forward at Chukyo, entering the stretch with just one rival to catch.

The commanding victory could put Master Fencer on course to run in the U.S. again, with Kate Hunter, who liaises with Japanese connections targeting major races, tweeted "fingers crossed" he'd make it over for the $9 million Pegasus World Cup (G1).

The Pegasus, Hunter also noted, would afford Master Fencer a break in the weights should he continue to run without Lasix. The condition book has cut anywhere from five to seven pounds in past editions of the Pegasus.

Other 3-year-olds on course to try the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus include Maximum Security and Omaha Beach. They are expected to prep in the Dec. 7 Cigar Mile (G1) and Dec. 26 Malibu Stakes (G1), respectively.

Master Fencer ran three races in the U.S. in all, failing to make an impact in the July 6 Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) over turf in his final race before shipping back to Japan and resting up for Saturday's comeback win.