Often seen as a Derby prep the NHK Mile was created to help fill a gap in the races leading up to the Derby.
This year's edition saw a battle between the 2023 Champion 2yo colt and filly – namely Janter Mantar and Ascoli Piceno and they finished in that order, with Ascoli Piceno having a tough run as she got blocked and then clipped heels and stumbled in the run in. Logi Leon ran third having started on 28.3 and was also a victim of traffic and by the time he got daylight it was too late despite a very fast finish.
Good to see Christophe Lemaire back in the saddle – on Ascoli Piceno this time – after his nasty accident in Dubai.
On Saturday the Aoba Sho went to favourite Sugar Kun, by Kitasan Black's sire Black Tide, with Shonan La Punta second.
