[Kasept]

Epicharis confirmed for Belmont Stakes; eligible for $1M bonus
By Dave Grening

Epicharis, the Japanese-bred 3-year-old who would have been eligible to run in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, was confirmed as a starter for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 10, it was announced late Tuesday night.

Should he win the Belmont, Epicharis would earn his connections a $1 million bonus the New York Racing Association announced earlier this year it was offering for any Japanese-based horse that would come and win the 1 1-2-mile race. That is on top of the $800,000 first-place purse.

It is expected that the Belmont will be offered for wagering in Japan, making it the first Triple Crown race available for simulcast in that country. Wagering will be conducted through a separate, non-commingled pool.

This will mark the second straight year that a Japanese-bred horse will run in the Belmont Stakes. Last year, Lani participated in all three Triple Crown races, his best finish being a third in the Belmont behind Creator and Destin.

Epicharis, a son of Gold Allure trained by Kiyoshi Hagiwara, won his first four starts before getting beat a nose by Thunder Snow in the $2 million UAE Derby at Meydan on March 27. Epicharis had been eligible to compete in the Kentucky Derby by earning the most qualifying points from two races that Churchill Downs dubbed as the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Epicharis is expected to ship to Belmont on June 1. His regular rider Christophe Lemaire will have the mount.

Epicharis is owned by U. Carrot Farm, a Japanese-based syndicate that won the 2005 American Oaks at Hollywood Park with Cesario, believed to be the first Japanese-bred Grade 1 winner in the U.S.