Robchen targets Triple Crown at Kikuka Sho

Attention is focused on the upcoming Kikuka Sho, where the horse Robchen seeks to complete the Triple Crown. A key factor in the race is the performance of jockey Kohei Matsuyama, who is currently in excellent form with 117 wins this year but has yet to secure a victory in graded races of 3,000 meters or longer.

In contrast, jockey Christophe Lemaire has shown significant dominance in long-distance races, including a recent streak of three consecutive Kikuka Sho wins. Lemaire will ride Danon History, a highly-regarded horse expected to be the second favorite behind Robchen.

The historical context of the Kikuka Sho is highlighted by the legacy of Yutaka Take, who achieved a record-breaking victory in the 2019 edition aboard World Premiere. That win marked Take's ability to win G1 races across three different Japanese eras (Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa) and set both the youngest and oldest winner records for the race.