Forever Young fine-tunes his engine as Ryusei Sakai warns: “He’s better than last year”

The champion worked 1000 meters in 1m02s17/100 over the renovated track at Belmont Park, leaving an exceptional impression ahead of his return this Friday in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). “I thought he had peaked last year, but he was still hiding something,” stated his jockey

ELMONT, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Forever Young has been sidelined for nearly six months, but those who know him best suggest the long layoff may have unlocked an even higher level of ability. Three days out from his return in the $1,000,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1-2000m), the Japanese champion put the finishing touches on his preparation this Tuesday with his final major breeze over Belmont ParkHacer clic para abrir el panel lateral y obtener más información’s brand-new main track, leaving his connections thoroughly delighted.

The son of Real Steel covered 1000 meters in 1m02s17/100 under regular partner Ryusei Sakai, building momentum progressively throughout the drill and finishing with outstanding energy.

NYRA clockers timed the work in intermediate splits of 14s60/100, 28s20/100, 40s40/100, and 50s40/100 before he hit the wire.

The early-morning routine got underway at 6:00 AM. Forever Young emerged from his barn alongside stablemate Shin Emperor (Siyouni), first completing a warm-up lap over the Tapeta synthetic track before transitioning to the dirt main track.

The strategy had a specific purpose. Given the long break from competition, trainer Yoshito Yahagi wanted his star pupil to finish off his work with strong intention—essentially a sharp blowout—and the colt responded precisely as requested.

“We wanted him to pick up the pace over the final furlongs because he hasn't raced in six months. That's why we started him around 14s3/5 and built up progressively. He finished very strong, which is exactly what we were looking for, and he seemed to do it with tremendous ease,” explained Hiroshi Ando, racing manager for owner Susumu Fujita.

Yet the most captivating takeaway came from Sakai. Having sat in the irons for all 15 of Forever Young’s career starts, the jockey possesses an intimate understanding of the colt's physical progression. Following the breeze, he offered an assessment that is sure to send expectations soaring ahead of Friday's feature.

“He really enjoyed the track and handled it perfectly. He seems very happy training here,” the rider noted.

He then added: “He is still growing. I thought he had reached his peak last year, but he was still hiding his best self. Right now, he is improving even compared to 2025.”

High praise indeed, coming from the man who rode a horse that had already achieved legendary status on the global stage.

Forever Young won 3 of his 4 starts during his standout campaign last season, capturing the Saudi Cup (G1) before capping it off with a thrilling victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar, where he bested Sierra Leone(Gun Runner) after having finished third in the very same race twelve months prior.

His 2026 campaign has been far more sparse, featuring just two appearances. In February, he successfully defended his crown in the Saudi Cup, holding off Nysos (Nyquist)—who subsequently captured the Metropolitan Handicap (G1)—by a length. Then on March 28, he finished a brave second, one length behind Magnitude (Not This Time), in the Dubai World Cup (G1).

He has not raced since. The Jockey Club Gold Cup will serve as a critical gauge to determine where he stands following such a prolonged layoff, though every signal since his arrival in New York inspires immense confidence.

Forever Young has also adapted flawlessly to Belmont’s state-of-the-art facilities, particularly the synthetic track used for much of his daily conditioning.

“I think the entire Japanese team will really like this Tapeta surface. It is a fantastic track to train on, extremely consistent. Forever Young settled into it seamlessly, and we are genuinely satisfied. Our preparation has gone perfectly,” Ando remarked.

The backdrop will add even greater significance to his comeback. The Jockey Club Gold Cup serves as the centerpiece of opening day at Belmont Park following three years of massive reconstruction. Furthermore, the race offers a direct “Win and You’re In” berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic on October 31 at Keeneland, where Forever Young will aim to defend his title.

Friday will mark just his fourth career start on United States soil. In his previous three, he finished a agonizing third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1), third in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and triumphant in the 2025 Classic.

Belmont also figures prominently in his long-term horizon: the newly revamped venue has been selected to host the 2027 Breeders’ Cup, marking the world championships' first return to New York since 2005.

For now, all eyes are on Friday. Forever Young returns after nearly six months away, stepping onto a racetrack that is embarking on its own fresh chapter. And as Belmont opens a new era, Sakai left behind a tantalizing warning for the competition: the champion everyone marveled at last year may not have shown his absolute best just yet.