By Alan Carasso
Yoko Maeda's Lani (Tapit), a winner in two of his three appearances over Japanese dirt tracks, preps for a potential start in the G2 UAE Derby in Sunday's ¥34.6 million (US$307,177) Hyacinth S. at Tokyo Racecourse.
Bred in Kentucky by the Maedas' North Hills Co. Ltd., the son of G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) victrix Heavenly Romance (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) finished runner-up in the Hanshin mud at second asking before graduating by 3 1/2 lengths over a dry Kyoto strip Nov. 22. Returned on just six days' rest, the gray colt overcame the 15 hole to best Ocean View (Jpn) (Mayano Top Gun {Jpn}) and Meiner Bashara (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) in the Cattleya Sho, a non black-type event over Sunday's course and distance.
Current plans call for Lani to press on to Meydan for the $2-million UAE Derby Mar. 26, a race in which 2015 Hyacinth S. hero Golden Barows–another son of Tapit–was a distant third behind Mubtaahij (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). From there, connections are reportedly eager to consider a run in the GI Kentucky Derby, or, should he fail to earn the requisite number of points, the GI Belmont S. with a prep in the GII Peter Pan S.
Lani, the mount of Yutaka Take, has drawn gate six in a field of 14 for the Hyacinth S., with post time set for approximately 12:25 a.m. ET. Among the competition are Regalo (Jpn) (Bernardini), a son of U.S. GISW Santa Teresita (Lemon Drop Kid); and two-time winner Tocco di Luce (Uncle Mo).
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