Joins Japan's Byzantine Dream as contender for upcoming Arc.
Odds for the Oct. 5 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe were again slashed on a Japan hopeful, this time following a formidable performance by Croix Du Nord in the Prix du Prince d'Orange at ParisLongchamp.
The double G1 champion, named by the Japan Racing Association as Best Two-Year-Old Colt for 2024, returned to the track Sunday, Sept. 14 for the first time since winning the Grade 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (Tokyo, 2,400 meters) this June and was able to prevail over significantly soft ground to win the Group 3 event over 2,000 meters.
The striking black son of Kitasan Black, despite being saddled with 58 kg (his heaviest weight to date), rose to new challenges and, in the final strides, displayed nerve and tenacity holding off a quickly gaining Daryz to top the field of seven by a short head.
Running under the colors of Sunday Racing Co. Ltd., which had also fielded the Prix Foy winner Byzantine Dream a week earlier, Croix du Nord broke from the No. 5 gate and raced prominently until settling in fourth position.
Despite some wandering in the stretch, the colt responded well to Yuichi Kitamura's cue to move out from the turn home, and replied enthusiastically when asked for top gear from 300 meters out.
The Sea the Stars-sired Daryz, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, finished in second, with Mickael Barzalona up. In third place a length and a quarter back and defeated for his first time was Nahraan, by Make Believe. He was ridden by Oisin Murphy and fielded by John and Thady Gosden.
Croix du Nord's finishing time was 2 minutes 11.69 seconds.
Despite the win, both Kitamura and trainer Takashi Saito were self-critical of Croix du Nord's preparation, Saito less so. "His movement wasn't that good midway through the race," said the 43-year-old, Ritto-based trainer, "but he still showed us some fine footwork in many spots.
"I think he learned a lot from the race, having experienced the Longchamp false straight (800 meters before the finish) and then the final push for home. Kitamura gave him a good ride."
Saito added, "We still have a lot to work on before the big event, but the horse handled both the ground and the slow pace well. And, considering that he has room for improvement, if he's in top shape for the Arc, he'll have ample chance."
Kitamura, who has ridden all six of the colt's races, agreed. "There are a number of things that need work, his general state of mind, how he moves in the warmup and his composure behind and in the gate. That said, he made a good effort today. He won and that is impressive.
"Even with the slow pace for much of the race, he waited patiently. And despite the ups and downs of the track, he didn't become heavy in hand.
"He still needs work on relaxing so he can have a breather before heading into the straight, and he needs to learn how to pick up speed more gradually from that point. As for the ground, there were no problems anywhere. We should be able to get him a good two more levels better in time for the Arc."
