FOREVER YOUNG - Photo: NYRA
Japanese superstar continues preparations for September 18 return of racing to Belmont Park
Japanese racing sensation Forever Young is settling comfortably into his new surroundings at Belmont Park as the reigning Japanese Horse of the Year prepares for his next major American challenge: the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on Friday, September 18.
Owned by Susumu Fujita and trained by internationally renowned conditioner Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young visited both Belmont Park’s newly installed Tapeta surface and the main dirt track Saturday morning, continuing preparations for one of the most historic races on the American calendar.
The Jockey Club Gold Cup will headline an especially significant afternoon. After a three-year redevelopment project, Belmont Park will officially return to live racing on September 18, opening a new chapter for one of the most iconic venues in Thoroughbred racing.
The 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup, open to horses 3 years old and older, is also part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, offering the winner an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland in October.
FOX will showcase the occasion nationally with its Belmont Park Returns telecast from 3:00-4:30 p.m. ET.
Forever Young Comfortable in New York
Forever Young left the barn shortly before 6 a.m. Saturday with assistant trainer Yuki Araki aboard and was accompanied by stablemate Shin Emperor, who traveled with him from Japan.
The 5-year-old son of Real Steel first completed an easy warm-up over the Tapeta before moving onto the main track for a routine canter. He later cooled out along the tree-lined horse path adjacent to the main track.
According to Araki, the early signs have been extremely encouraging.
“I think he’s in very good condition now. Always, when he moves to America, he gets condition better and better,” Araki said. “This morning he moved really well. I’m very happy and I think he’s very happy, too.”
That assessment was echoed by Hiroshi Ando, racing manager for owner Susumu Fujita, who has also been impressed by the extensive training options incorporated into the rebuilt Belmont Park.
“This is amazing. Belmont Park is the best complex for training now in North America,” Ando said. “We have a lot of options with main track, training track, Tapeta track, small track.”
More importantly, Ando believes Forever Young has quickly adapted to his surroundings.
“Forever Young has settled in very well. He’s calm now, relaxing. Whenever we want to take him out, it’s easy now. Very professional.”
Tuesday Breeze Next
Forever Young is scheduled to breeze Tuesday over the Belmont main track with regular jockey Ryusei Sakai aboard.
Don’t expect the stopwatch to be the priority.
“Tempo is important. It’s not about time,” Araki explained.
Ando agreed, indicating the workout will likely cover between a half-mile and five-eighths of a mile.
“We won’t give you a fancy time. We want to just feel the horse.”
The measured approach reflects the bigger objective: having Forever Young at his best when he lines up in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and, ultimately, on Breeders’ Cup weekend.
Shin Emperor Will Bypass Joe Hirsch
Stablemate Shin Emperor, meanwhile, will not contest the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) on September 26 as originally planned.
The talented runner accompanied Forever Young from Japan, but his connections have decided against pushing forward with the race while keeping the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) as the long-term objective.
“We thought he’s not ready to run,” Ando explained. “He has a bright future, and we don’t want to run him when we’re not sure because our target is the Breeders’ Cup Turf.”
The team will instead monitor Shin Emperor on a day-to-day basis while allowing him additional time to acclimate and regain peak condition.
Forever Young Takes Aim at Racing History
Forever Young’s participation adds another international dimension to a race steeped in American racing history.
First contested in 1919, the Jockey Club Gold Cup has been captured by an extraordinary collection of champions and Hall of Famers, including Man o’ War, War Admiral, Citation, Nashua, Buckpasser, Damascus, Forego, John Henry, Easy Goer, Cigar, Skip Away and Curlin.
Legendary gelding Kelso owns the race record with five consecutive victories from 1960 through 1964, while Hall of Fame mare Shuvee famously defeated males in consecutive editions in 1970 and 1971.
Nine Kentucky Derby winners have also captured the Gold Cup, including Triple Crown legends Gallant Fox, War Admiral, Whirlaway, Citation and Affirmed.
For the Japanese team, competing in a race with such a remarkable history carries special meaning.
“This racecourse’s history shows many Champion horses have run here,” Araki said. “There are many good trainers here and we are very honored to be here, standing here and training here.”
Ando also acknowledged the reception Forever Young has received since arriving in New York.
“The American people, everybody, loves Forever Young. I feel a lot of respect for him from everyone, which we really appreciate.”
Now the Japanese superstar has an opportunity to add his own name to Belmont’s history.
Already an international racing icon and a proven performer on the world’s biggest stages, Forever Young arrives at the new Belmont Park carrying the expectations of Japanese racing — and considerable admiration from American fans.
For his connections, the objective is simple: honor the history of the Jockey Club Gold Cup while giving racing fans another opportunity to see one of the world’s premier dirt horses at his best.
“We have to do good for the Gold Cup because it’s a great historic race,” Ando said. “We are honored to join that and hope we are able to show everyone Forever Young with a great performance at Belmont.”
September 18 will represent both a return and a beginning — the return of racing to Belmont Park and another opportunity for Forever Young to make history on American soil.
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