City Of Troy's biggest danger? Kentucky Derby third prepares for Breeders' Cup Classic with winning return in Japan

City Of Troy's biggest threat in the Breeders' Cup Classic may emerge from Japan after Forever Young made a winning return and was cut into joint-second favourite with some bookmakers for his US date.

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi has a big week in store as he bids to provide Japan with a first winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when Shin Emperor represents the stable at Longchamp on Sunday.

However, Yahagi has other major ambitions this autumn and they include the Breeders' Cup. 

Forever Young, a three-year-old son of Real Steel, had not been seen since finishing a close third in the Kentucky Derby but made a winning return in the Japan Dirt Classic at Ohi racecourse on Wednesday. 

Sent off at odds-on, Forever Young defied a slightly slow break under Ryusei Sakai to win by a length and a quarter from Mikki Flight, a performance which saw William Hill go as short as 4-1 joint-second favourite for the Classic at Del Mar on November 2. 

Forever Young: set for the Breeders' CupCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

City Of Troy, the brilliant Derby and Juddmonte International hero, is 7-4 favourite with Hills, with Travers winner Fierceness (Todd Pletcher) also 4-1.

Sakai said: "I thought we couldn't lose, so I'm relieved. Though it was his first race after a break, his condition was good enough. 

"I didn't want to be on the inside so I thought it was okay to lead, but after settling in second position his rhythm was better. I thought this was the good race so I couldn't let my guard down until the end. 

"He hasn't lost in Japan yet, but we had a frustrating experience in the spring, so I have a strong desire to get revenge. I hope to show off a strong Forever Young again. I want to win the next in the US."

Yahagi and Sakai will arrive in France on Friday before the Arc, and the trainer was equally relieved Forever Young could make a winning return.

Yahagi, who indicated Forever Young was "about 80 per cent" for his return, said: "At first I felt relieved. To be honest, I was confident that we had different experience, but we had a strong race today so I thought they did well to win."

Breeders' Cup Classic (Del Mar, November 2)

Hills: 7-4 City Of Troy, 4 Fierceness, Forever Young, 10 Highland Falls, Sierra Leone, Ushba Tesoro, 25 bar.

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