Satono Carnaval, Admire Zoom Tackle NHK Mile in Tokyo

The NHK Mile Cup (G1), set for May 11 at Tokyo Racecourse, gives Japanese 3-year-olds not quite up to longer distances a chance to distinguish themselves outside the actual classic races. This year, the race features an assorted cast including Satono Carnaval (JPN), a Kitasan Black (JPN) colt who won the 2024 Hakodate Nisai Stakes (G3) before finishing ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T), and Admire Zoom (JPN), winner of last December's Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1). Those are good credentials but could do with some supporting evidence. Satono Carnaval returned to action Feb. 16 in the Kyodo News Hai Tokinominoru Kinen (G3) but finished fifth when asked to go 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles). Trainer Noriyuki Hori ticked through the typical list of Japanese conditioning concerns and said that last race helped his conditioning and boded well for the Mile Cup. "He's better all around than he was for his last race, including his balance, and we've upped the pace of his work... His appetite's good and he's very healthy. We haven't pushed him too much as the race gets closer, but he's been running smoothly and changing leads well with his race jockey, Damian Lane. The horse's breathing's fine and I'm happy with his preparation," Hori said. Lane, riding on a temporary permit, won the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) May 4 on Redentor (JPN), following Joao Moreira in a string of recent grade 1 triumphs by visiting jockeys. Admire Zoom, too, had issues in gearing up his 3-year-old season. The Maurice (JPN) colt finished second in the New Zealand Trophy (G2) April 12 at Nakayama Racecourse. "His reactions have been good in training, and there has been nothing to worry about with him. He's moving well, and he's come on for his last race, when he didn't run badly," trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said. The winner of the New Zealand Trophy, Immigrant Song (JPN), returns for the NHK Mile. Despite that win, the Makfi (GB) colt also could use a bit of form confirmation in the grade 1 test after going 1-for-4 in previous outings. "He's in good condition," said jockey Christophe Lemaire. "Beating a grade 1 winner last time confirms that he's a top-level horse. With the way he runs, the long straight at Tokyo suits him, and I think he has a chance." Lance of Chaos (JPN), by Silver State (JPN), got his second win and first of the year in the Churchill Downs Cup (G3), formerly the Arlington Cup, and returns in the NHK Mile. He was third in December's Asahi Futurity. "He's had success in his races," said Lance of Chaos' trainer, Yutaka Okumura. "He hasn't really had to overcome any difficulties in doing so. He's been able to start well, regardless of the gates he's drawn (post 5 for this start), and I don't worry about him finding a good rhythm in a race. A mile should suit him, although we won't know about racing left-handed until we try." Arte Veloce (JPN), Yankee Barows (JPN), and Magic Sands (JPN) all bear watching. Eighteen are entered, six of them fillies.