Sunday Racing Co.'s 4-year-old filly Songline defeated German-bred colt Schnell Meister, also owned by Sunday Racing, by a neck to win the one-mile Yasuda Kinen (G1) Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse.
With the victory, her first in a Group 1 race, Songline earned an automatic starting position in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) November 5 at Keeneland through the Breeders' Cup Challenge “Win and You're In” series.
Songline, trained by Toru Hayashi and ridden by Kenichi Ikezoe, finished a nose behind Schnell Meister in last year's NHK Mile Cup (G1) at Tokyo, but turned the tables on the familiar rival Sunday, holding off the colt by a slim margin.
In an 18-horse field for the Yasuda Kinen, Songline, the 8-1 fourth choice, was settled behind Salios and in front of Schnell Meister in midpack as the field cruised down the backstretch at a leisurely pace.
Making headway while shifting to the outside before the last corner, Songline unleashed a tenacious stretch drive, finally catching Salios in the final sixteenth and held off Schnell Meister at the wire.
Improving her record to five wins in 11 starts, Songline, a daughter of Kizuna out of the Symboli Kris S mare Luminous Parade, completed the mile in 1:32.3 over a course listed as good to firm. In her two previous starts this year, Songline won the 1351 Turf Sprint (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 26, and closed late to finish fifth in the Victoria Mile (G1) May 15.
“I'm just relieved and happy that I was able to live up to the team's expectations,” said winning rider Ikezoe. “It was a tight schedule for the filly but the staff at the stables prepared her remarkably. She broke well and I decided to settle her behind Salios, who rushed up in front of us. Trying not to make the same mistake as last time, we made an early bid before the last corner and she responded well and stretched all the way for a strong finish.”
Schnell Meister, the 4-1 second choice, broke well but was settled in mid-division under jockey Christophe Lemaire, being a bit keen along the backstretch. Boxed in after rounding for home, the son of Kingman struggled to find room climbing the hill. Finally, he shot out between horses to overtake Salios at the same time Songline did on the other side but was a neck short in second.
Salios, under Damian Lane, took a wide trip around seventh just in front of the eventual winner. He responded well to rally for the lead but weakened in the last 100 meters, and gave way to Songline and then the fast-closing Schnell Meister in the last strides for third.
Serifos finished fourth, a half-length behind Salios.
Elusive Panther, the 4-1 favorite, trailed near the rear before hitting the straight in a wide move and quickened in the last 200 meters. He ran the fastest late kick but had too much ground to make up and finished eighth.
As a part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Songline to start in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.
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