Kyoto Racecourse Hosts 87th Kikuka Sho As Lovcen Chases Triple Crown
The 87th running of the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) takes place this Sunday, October 25, at Kyoto Racecourse, where 3-year-old colt Lovcen attempts to secure Japan’s Triple Crown. Post time for the Grade 1 race is scheduled for 15:40 Japan time. Twenty-one horses have been nominated for a maximum field of 18 runners, competing over 3,000 meters on the outer turf track for a winner’s check of JPY 200 million (in the region of USD 1.3 million).
History Awaiting at Three Thousand Meters
Only eight horses have achieved victory in the Japanese Triple Crown since St. Lite first accomplished the feat in 1941, with Contrail being the last to do so in 2020. Lovcen enters the 3,000-meter stamina test holding a 5-for-6 career record under jockey Kohei Matsuyama. Trained by Haruki Sugiyama, the dark bay colt foaled on April 9, 2023, already captured the Satsuki Sho in a record 1:56.5 and narrowly won the Tokyo Yushun. While the JRA notes that 25 colts have won both spring classics, only eight successfully converted those wins into a Kikuka Sho victory.
Challengers Line Up for Kyoto Classic
Several contenders aim to upset Lovcen’s historical bid in the final Classic of the year. Ask Edinburgh finished behind Lovcen in the Japanese Derby and gets another chance under jockey Yasunari Iwata. Meanwhile, Justin Chicago secured an automatic berth by winning the Grade 2 Asahi Hai St. Lite Kinen at Nakayama in September, and Going to Sky reunites with veteran jockey Yutaka Take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can geldings run in the Kikuka Sho?
No, geldings are barred from competing in the Kikuka Sho, which is open strictly to 3-year-old colts and fillies.
What are the official trial races for the Kikuka Sho?
The two official trials offering automatic qualification to the top three finishers are the Grade 2 Asahi Hai St. Lite Kinen at Nakayama and the Grade 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai at Hanshin.
Who holds the race record for the Japanese St. Leger?
Toho Jackal set the race record time of 3 minutes 1.0 seconds when winning the event in 2014.
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