Looking for his first Group 1 tally following a productive second-place effort in the Feb. 11 G2 Kyoto Kinen, Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) got up in time to land Sunday's G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin.
A winner in last season's 1800-meter Spring S., he was a well beaten 10th in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) prior to finishing fourth in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) over 2400 meters. He concluded his 3-year-old season with a victory in Hanshin's G3 Challenge Cup in December.
Breaking sharply from the outer stall this time, Bellagio Opera rushed into contention and settled just behind Stunning Rose (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) who led the way. Keeping that front-running rival in his sights through the final two turns, the second betting choice took over before the 200-meter pole and managed to fend off a game Rousham Park by a nose with fast-closing Rouge Eveil (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) getting up for third. Race favorite Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) hugged the rails in fourth and shifted slightly to the outside after entering the lane to make bid, but the colt was one paced and gradually fell back in the last 200 meters to finish 11th.
Jockey-turned-trainer Hiroyuki Uemura, who opened his yard in 2019, celebrated his first JRA Group 1 and fifth graded title while jockey Kazuo Yokoyama registered his third Group 1 title.
“I was so disappointed when we lost the Derby that I really wanted to win a Group 1 with this horse. So, I'm really, really happy. Bellagio Opera has very good maneuverability, and I knew that he was in good condition, so I decided to race him toward the front. He's really strong when it comes to a close rally. I'm glad he held off his rivals,” commented jockey Kazuo Yokoyama.
Pedigree Notes:
The 10th Group 1 winner for Lord Kanaloa, Bellagio Opera is out of Air Routine, a sister to Group 3 winner Air Anthem (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S). and multiple group placed Satono Helios (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). This represents the family of Champion 3-year-old and Japanese Classic winner Air Shakur (Jpn).
Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
OSAKA HAI-G1, ¥384,800,000, Hanshin, 3-31, 4yo/up, 2000mT, 1:58.20, fm.
1–BELLAGIO OPERA (JPN), 128, c, 4, Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)
1st Dam: Air Routine (Jpn), by Harbinger (GB)
2nd Dam: Air Magdalene (Jpn), by Sunday Silence
3rd Dam: Air Deja Vu (Jpn), by Northern Taste
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Shorai Hayashida; B-Shadai Farm;
T-Hiroyuki Uemura; J-Kazuo Yokoyama; £203,360,000.
Lifetime Record: 8-5-1-0. . Werk Nick Rating: A++
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree
2–Rousham Park (Jpn), 128, h, 5, by Harbinger (GB)–Reinette
Groove (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). O-Sunday Racing;
B-Northern Farm; ¥80,960,000.
3–Rouge Eveil (Jpn), 123, m, 5, Just a Way (Jpn)–Nothing But
Dreams (GB), Frankel (GB). O-Tokyo Horse Racing; B-Shadai
Farm; ¥50,480,000.
Margins: NO, NK, 2; Odds: 2.60, 2.40, 31.80.
Also Ran: Stella Veloce (Jpn), Geoglyph (Jpn), Pradaria (Jpn), Sol Oriens (Jpn), Stunning Rose (Jpn), Catedral (Jpn), Epiphany (Jpn), Tastiera (Jpn), Hayayakko (Jpn), Harper (Jpn), Mikki Gorgeous (Jpn), Killer Ability (Jpn), Licancabur (Jpn)
Click for the JRA chart & video. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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