Dieu du Vin
The Yukihiro Kato-trained son of Declaration of War still sits second on the Japan leaderboard with his 10 points, trailing only the Dec. 18 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun hero Vacation’s 20. Vacation is not listed as a possibility for Saturday’s race.
The Hyacinth offers 30 qualifying points to its winner and Dieu du Vin the opportunity to take the points lead back with one more event on the calendar, the March 28 Fukuryu at Nakayama Racecourse. That event awards 40 points to the winner.
From there, Churchill Downs will extend an invitation based on the points list — earnings break any ties — and attempt to find mutual interest between a Japanese runner and connections.
That appears to exist for Dieu du Vin, who’s 2-for-2 He appears poised to run in both the final Japanese points preps after topping a 16-horse Cattleya Sho, rallying down the center of the track for a 3/4-length victory.
The Hyacinth offers 30 qualifying points to its winner and Dieu du Vin the opportunity to take the points lead back with one more event on the calendar, the March 28 Fukuryu at Nakayama Racecourse. That event awards 40 points to the winner.
From there, Churchill Downs will extend an invitation based on the points list — earnings break any ties — and attempt to find mutual interest between a Japanese runner and connections.
That appears to exist for Dieu du Vin, who’s 2-for-2 He appears poised to run in both the final Japanese points preps after topping a 16-horse Cattleya Sho, rallying down the center of the track for a 3/4-length victory.