Niigata Kinen G3 features five G1 winners including Rodeo Drive

The 62nd Niigata Kinen (G3), the final race of the Summer 2000 Series, will take place on August 30 at Niigata Racecourse over 2000 meters on turf. The field features five G1-winning horses, headlined by the three-year-old NHK Mile Cup winner, Rodeo Drive.

Rodeo Drive will face his first challenge at the 2000-meter distance and his first competition against older horses. Jockey Christophe Lemaire, currently leading the rankings, will partner with the colt. Due to his recent G1 victory, Rodeo Drive must carry a weight of 57kg.

Historical data from the past 10 years of the Niigata Kinen indicates a trend where the second favorite has the highest win rate, while the first favorite has only won once. The race also shows a preference for outer draws (specifically gate 8) and late-closing running styles, such as ‘sashi’ and ‘oikomi’, due to the long straight at Niigata.