Epicharis (Gold Allure {Jpn}), a narrowly beaten runner-up to Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) in the G2 UAE Derby Mar. 25 and one of the top 3-year-olds in Japan, will make his North American debut in the GI Belmont S. June 10, his connections confirmed Wednesday. Owned by the U. Carrot Farm syndicate, Epicharis earned a berth in the GI Kentucky Derby starting gate by virtue of his victory in the Hyacinth S. at Tokyo Racecourse in February. The syndicate elected to bypass to Kentucky Derby for an opportunity to run in the Belmont to allow the colt ample time to recover from his travels, as well as a grueling stretch duel in Dubai, according to trainer Kiyoshi Hagiwara.
“I am very honored to participate in the Belmont S.,” Hagiwara said. “Epicharis ran well at the UAE Derby and proved himself deserving of the Triple Crown challenge.
“When he arrived in Japan from Dubai, he was bit tired from traveling and we wanted to give him enough time, thus we had to pass on Kentucky Derby and Preakness,” Hagiwara continued. “Now, he is completely recovered and he is doing well, so we decided to try the Belmont Stakes. He is bred to stay and, the way he races, I believe 1 1/2 miles at Belmont suits him.”
Epicharis, who was dealt the first defeat of his five-race career in the UAE Derby, is scheduled to arrive June 1 at Belmont, where he will complete his quarantine and isolation ahead of the race. A start in the Belmont will make Epicharis eligible for NYRA's newly instated $1 million bonus offered to any Japan-based winner of the “Test of a Champion.”
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