Myriad Love, one of the 11 juvenile fillies in the field, showcased her remarkable talent by stalking the early pace, taking the lead in the second turn, and ultimately securing a three-quarter-length win in the prestigious Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun. This event holds great significance as the 2022 and 2023 winners went on to finish in the top five of the Kentucky Derby.

Unbeatable Myriad Love Dominates the Racing Track

Early Pace and Lead Change

Owned by Asuka Shiraishi and trained by Koichi Shintani, Myriad Love, a daughter of New Year’s Day, veered outward at the break from post 10 and bumped the other filly Holy Grail. Holy Grail, a Nadal filly, led out of the first turn on the good-rated dirt at Kawasaki Racecourse. Myriad Love raced a widening four lengths behind in second with Happy Man and Copano Vincent about 2 1/2 more lengths up the track in third and fourth. The two fillies drew even coming out of the backstretch. Jockey Atsuya Nishimura guided Myriad Love to the outside of tiring Holy Grail and into the lead early in the second turn. This strategic move set the stage for her remarkable victory. 2: The early lead change demonstrated Myriad Love's ability to adapt and take control of the race. Her determination and skill were evident as she maneuvered through the pack and asserted her dominance. This moment marked the beginning of her journey to success.

Final Stretch and Close Races

Happy Man, a Danon Legend colt, moved forward into second turning for home. Responding to Nishimura’s right-handed urging, Myriad Love drew away along the rail before Happy Man, ridden by Ryusei Sakai, showed one last burst of speed before settling for second place. Soldier Field finished another 1 1/2 lengths back in third. Post-time favorite Natural Rise was a neck behind in fourth. It was a head back to Jugemoon in fifth. The race was a thrilling display of speed and determination, with each horse giving their all to the finish line. 2: The close race between Myriad Love and Happy Man added to the excitement of the event. It showed the high level of competition and the quality of the field. Myriad Love's ability to hold off her rivals and secure the win was a testament to her racing prowess.

Breeding and Qualifying Process

Myriad Love, a filly bred at Japan’s Northern Farm out of Smart Falcon mare Ladybird, won her Sept. 16 debut in a top-level, seven-furlong race for first-time starters at Chukyo. As a 2-5 favorite, she won Oct. 31 in an allowance race going six furlongs at Monbetsu on Japan’s second-level racing circuit. With the 20 points she earned Wednesday, Myriad Love moved to the front of the Japan road to Kentucky Derby 2025. Natural Rise, who won last month’s Cattleya Sho to begin the qualifying process, added four points to bring his total to 14. Happy Man is third with 10 points and Soldier Field next with six. One of the 20 places in the gate for the Derby is available to a qualifier from the four Japan preps. The Hyacinth in February and Fukuryu in March are the last two races in the series. This qualifying process adds an extra layer of excitement and competition for the Kentucky Derby. 2: The breeding and qualifying process highlight the importance of Myriad Love's achievements. Her success on the track not only brings glory to her owners and trainers but also positions her as a strong contender for the Kentucky Derby. The upcoming races in February and March will determine the final qualifiers and add to the drama of the lead-up to the big event.