BC Classic contender Espoir City defeated in Japan

Last updated: 10/11/10 6:17 PM

Espoir City’s winning streak was snapped, but he’s still headed to Churchill Downs
(Copyright Japan Racing Association)

Reigning Japanese champion dirt horse and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)
contender ESPOIR CITY (Gold Allure) failed to defend his title in Monday’s Mile
Championship Nambu Hai, according to Racing Post. Contested over an off
track at Morioka, the Mile Championship Nambu Hai is a Grade 1 event on the
local racing circuit.

Yushun Horse’s Espoir City had been riding a six-race winning streak, all on
dirt, dating back to his victory in the 2009 March S. (Jpn-G3). The Akio Adachi
trainee’s victories included such premier prizes as the Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1),
the February S. (Jpn-G1) and the past two editions of the Kashiwa Kinen at
Funabashi.

Last seen scoring a repeat win in the one-mile Kashiwa Kinen on May 5, Espoir
City tracked the leading Ceres Hunt (Coronado’s Quest) in his Monday return, but
was outkicked by fellow stalker Oro Meister (Gold Allure). Streaking three
lengths clear, Oro Meister broke the track record while blitzing the mile in
1:34 4/5.

“I think (Espoir City) was a little fat,” jockey Tetsuzo Sato told Racing
Post, “but it isn’t a problem now as he needs that to shape up muscle.

“Plus the ground was wet, and as this is only a prep for us, I don’t think
the defeat is too severe.”

Espoir City is still scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs for the Classic,
which will mark his first attempt at 1 1/4 miles. The five-year-old chestnut
will enter quarantine at Miho Training Center on Tuesday and spend six days
there before jetting off to Louisville, Kentucky.