Lovcen Captures 2nd Classics' Title in the 93rd Tokyo Yushun

Lovcen validated his previous victory by winning the 93rd running of the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) on Sunday, May 31.

At Tokyo Racecourse, the World Premiere offspring became the 25th colt to win both spring Classics following Contrail's success in 2020.

Lovcen scored two wins in two starts, including the Hopeful Stakes (G1, 2,000 meters), as a 2-year-old. He was third in his kick-off start in the 2026 season in the Kyodo News Hai (G3, 1,800 meters) in February. Then he claimed victory in the opening leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000 meters), by gate-to-wire in record time.

Trainer Haruki Sugiyama and jockey Kohei Matsuyama celebrate their first Derby titles, while this victory marked the former's ninth and the latter's 11th Japan Racing Association G1 win.

*A wide-angle view of the action-packed final stretch of the 93rd Tokyo Yushun. (©SANKEI)*

Speedy Finish Secures Win for Lovcen

Lovcen missed a step when breaking from the second farthest outside post, lightly bumping Green Energy (Keita Tosaki) on his left and was a tad late to position himself well by the first turn. The versatile colt was forced to camp in a wide position in mid-field this time while Meisho Hachiko (Michael Dee) went right to the front to seize the lead. He was tailed closely by second favorite and Satsuki Sho runnerup Realize Sirius (Akihide Tsumura).

Fourth choice Peintre Naif (Christophe Lemaire) was unhurried after his break. He sat in mid-division, a length and a half in front of the race favorite and eventual winner as the field cruised down the backstretch. Realize Sirius took over the lead early, registering a moderate pace.

After heading the field into the straight, the Poetic Flare colt soon gave way 300 meters out to Basse Terre (Yuga Kawada), who strived to pull away while Peintre Naif, with Lovcen tightly at his heels, closed in with incredible speed.

As Basse Terre succumbed to the intimidating speed of the two in the final strides, Peintre Naif failed to shake off the tenacious Lovcen, who dug in fiercely and poked his head in front at the wire. (Watch the race on the JRA's YouTube channel.)

A Thrilling Accomplishment for Matsuyama

"I still can't believe I'm now a 'Derby jockey,' " Matsuyama said. "It was surreal coming back to the stands and being greeted by the enormous cheering crowd — I couldn't hold back the tears.

"To be honest, I did feel the pressure, as odds-on favorite and the hopes of notching two-thirds of the Triple Crown, but I believed in the colt and he gave his best and showed his true strength today."

What other impressions did Matsuyama have about Sunday's race?

"We weren't able to sit in the most ideal position due to the wide draw," Matsuyama said. "But, as in the Hopeful Stakes, Lovcen showed an incredible turn of foot, which proves his strength and versatility. He still has potential and we have a lot to look forward to."

A Spirited Effort for Basse Terre

Coming off an 11th-place finish in the first leg of the Triple Crown, 11th pick Basse Terre was reserved early, trailing in the rear. But he made rapid headway in the backstretch to chase the pace by the final turn, then rallied to lead 300 meters out. The son of Kitasan Black ran willingly and sustained his bid but was denied the win in the final strides by the fast-closing Lovcen and Peintre Naif.

Basse Terre narrowly held off Going to Sky (Yutaka Take) by a nose for third place. And Matenro Gale (Kazuo Yokoyama), who finished a further one-length adrift, rounded out the top five.