Lovcen announced himself as one of Japan’s most exciting Classic prospects with a stunning victory in the G1 Hopeful Stakes, winning the Nakayama feature in just the second start of his career.

Sent off as the seventh choice, the dark bay colt had shown promise when scoring by three lengths over 2,000 meters at Kyoto on November 9. That performance hinted at ability, but few expected him to make history next time out. With this win, Lovcen became the first horse since the Hopeful Stakes was elevated to Grade 1 status in 2017 to capture the race off only a single previous career start.

The success marked another significant milestone for trainer Haruki Sugiyama, who secured his seventh JRA Grade 1 title and his first at the top level since Lugal’s victory in the 2024 Sprinters Stakes. For jockey Kohei Matsuyama, it was JRA-G1 win number eight, coming just two weeks after steering Star Anise to victory in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies.

Lovcen also provided a landmark moment for his sire, World Premiere. The son of Deep Impact, winner of the 2019 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) and the 2021 Tenno Sho (Spring), recorded his first Grade 1 winner since retiring to stud in 2022.

From gate four, Matsuyama allowed Lovcen to find his feet early, settling quietly along the rail in mid-division as T O Al Ain dictated the tempo. Turning for home, the colt was momentarily boxed in, but at the 200-meter mark Matsuyama angled him sharply into the clear. What followed was a devastating late burst, as Lovcen powered past the leaders in the final strides to score by three-quarters of a length.

“I was hoping that he would break well, run in good rhythm and have plenty left in the tank, which I’m happy that he did,” Matsuyama said. “He had shown a remarkable turn of foot in training so I knew he would have the strength to catch the leaders. Since his first win was over yielding ground, the colt has proven his versatility today so we have a lot to look forward to in his future starts.”

Forte Angelo, the fourth pick, tracked the pace in fourth to fifth and remained within striking distance of the favorite entering the stretch. After briefly being held up behind traffic, the Fierement colt switched to the outside and finished strongly to secure second, holding off Ask Edinburgh.

Ask Edinburgh, sent out as the ninth choice, broke sharply from a wide draw and raced just behind Forte Angelo. He surged to the front inside the final 100 meters but was reeled in late by the winner and then edged out for second at the line, settling for third, beaten one and a quarter lengths.

Race favorite Anduril enjoyed a smooth trip after breaking well and gradually improving into third along the backstretch. The Saturnalia colt was still prominent turning for home but weakened late and faded to seventh as the closers swept past.

Lovcen’s rapid rise has not only rewritten the Hopeful Stakes record book but also firmly positioned him as a colt to watch as Japan’s three-year-old season approaches.