Jockey Akihide Tsumura (40), who was injured in a fall during the 7th race at Tokyo on the 30th and had to be replaced in subsequent races, was confirmed on the morning of the 31st to be riding at Tokyo Racecourse on Derby Day as planned.
Responding to an interview in front of the weighing room around 9:00 AM, Tsumura commented, "I'm fine." He will take on the Derby with Realize Sirius (Colt, Tezuka), the Satsuki Sho runner-up he has partnered with since its debut.
His mentor, trainer Shin Suzuki, also showed a smile, saying, "I just spoke with him, and he's full of energy. I'm glad it was just a bruise. He was riding his bike around vigorously."
