Japan Road leadership up for grabs in Hyacinth Stakes

Two who chased them home, however, are among the 14-strong Hyacinth field. Godolphin’s Combustion was best of the rest behind Dry Stout, and Geraldo Barows was a fast-closing third to Consigliere in the Cattleya over this track and metric mile trip. Combustion’s runner-up effort is worth eight points, although he’s not Triple Crown-nominated. Geraldo Barows, who earned two points, is a Triple Crown nominee.

The Hyacinth includes five others made eligible for the Triple Crown, led by undefeated Crown Pride. After daylight wins going about 1 1/8 miles at Chukyo and Hanshin, Crown Pride shortens up to one turn at Tokyo. A similar cutback awaits Chukyo debut romper Blitz Fang. Line of Soul has not been seen since his seventh in the Cattleya, while Cattleya fifth El Paso has run third in an allowance in the interim. Osteria is the nominee with the most to prove in the Hyacinth, exiting a longshot last in an allowance. 

Taisei Drefong, as his name reveals, is from the fine first crop by U.S. champion sprinter Drefong. A nose away from being unbeaten on the dirt, Taisiei Drefong has won his last pair including the Kokura allowance over El Paso. The $500,000 Into Mischief filly Sea Vixen is only 1-for-6 overall, but her two dirt efforts are arguably her best – notably a seven-length maiden coup at Tokyo. 

Good Deal is 2-for-2 since switching to dirt, his Hanshin maiden and Chukyo allowance both coming at about seven furlongs. Mesmeriser also brings a two-race winning streak into his stakes debut, but faces a steeper climb in distance from about six furlongs. Like fellow Godolphin homebred Combustion, Mesmeriser is by Discreet Cat out of a Pyro mare. 

Welcome News, no match for Crown Pride in their lone meeting, paid him a compliment when coming back to win an allowance of his own at Nakayama. Jasper Jet just scored his first win when trying the dirt at Kawasaki. The American Pharoah colt Rayas similarly found an easier venue, Himeji, for his breakthrough.  

The Hyacinth is carded as the ninth race (post time 12:25 a.m. ET late Saturday night/early Sunday) on the February S. (G1) program available on TwinSpires.com.