Japanese Derby Hero Croix Du Nord Begins Arc Preparations

Champion Croix Du Nord, freshened since winning the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), has resumed training at Ritto Training Centre in advance of a start in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October.

Trainer Takashi Saito told Net Keiba, “We have brought him back into training, working backwards from the two planned races in France. It's still hot, but from here we will make sure to get him into peak condition before heading to France.”

A winner of the G1 Hopeful Stakes during a three-for-three juvenile season, the son of Kitasan Black was second in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) in the Sunday Racing colours before taking the Japanese Derby on June 1. His first target is the G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange at ParisLongchamp on October 14 over 2000 meteres. The Arc is scheduled for Sunday, October 5.