Yukio Baba’s unbeaten Asia Express was a near unanimous choice as Japan’s 2013 champion two-year-old colt. He received 279 out of 280 votes in the balloting in the wake of his 1-1/4 length victory in the $1.3-million Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse in December. The race was his first on turf after winning his first two outings on dirt. After a quarter in :21 flat at the Under Tack Show, the Florida-bred colt by Henny Hughes was purchased by Narvick International for $230, 000 from breeder Ocala Stud at the 2013 OBS March Sale. He has earned 88, 131,000 yen (est. $850,000 U.S.) to date. watch his under tack video
watch Asia Express (6) win the Asahi Hai Futurity (G1)
Asia Express is the second OBS March graduate to win the prestigious Asahi Hai Futurity (G1); Goshawk Ken took the 2007 edition on his way to championship honors. The colt by Bernstein was sold by breeder Four Horsemen’s Ranch at the 2006 OBS Winter Mixed Sale and then resold for $160,000 by M & H Training & Sales, Agent, at the 2007 March Sale.