Upset at the Tokyo Derby: Danon Decile Shocks the Crowd

Long Range A chestnut horse named Danon Decile, who started at 46-1 odds, surprised everyone on Sunday by winning the prestigious ¥300 million Japanese Derby.

Favorite Justin Milano and other top choices were left in the dust by the surprising victory.

By skillfully leading Danon Decile to victory, veteran jockey Norihiro Yokoyama, 56, broke the record for the oldest rider to win a Grade 1 race in Japan.

Yokoyama’s strategy was to take advantage of the horse’s early burst of speed and gain an advantage by hugging the recently latched rail.

For Yokoyama, who had earlier proposed withdrawing Danon Decile from the first Triple Crown race due to lameness, this triumph was exceptionally sweet. Despite the risk, the choice eventually protected the horse and made this Derby triumph possible.

Even though Danon Decile hadn’t competed in a long time, Yokoyama and trainer Shogo Yasuda collaborated to keep him in top condition.

Danon Decile now has three victories in five starts and a significant pay increase after this victory. (192 words are counted).

Original Story by: The Japan Times