leontes did not appear on the track until 22 november when he contested an event for previously unraced juveniles over 2000 metres at kyoto racecourse and won by a length from peace mind. for his next race the colt was stepped up sharply in class for the grade 1 asahi hai futurity stakes over 1600 metres at hanshin racecourse on 15 december and started the 4.9/1 second favourite behind the daily hai nisai stakes winner air spinel. leontes raced at the rear of the field and was still last of the sixteen runners as the field exited the final turn. he then produced a strong, sustained run on the outside, overtook air spinel in the last 100 metres and won by three quarters of a length. mirco demuro commented "i had been told that this colt was powerful and he certainly showed that when i rode him in training on wednesday—he was pretty keen but smart and an honest colt. it was his first time over a mile but he responded and really stretched well on the outside. he’s got a lot to look forward to in his three-year-old season."