Tag: Arima Kinen

‘Deuce’-s Wild In The Arima Kinen

The second betting choice to–finally–build on a championship season in 2021 and a Classic-winning campaign last season, Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) was produced wide into the Nakayama straight by the ageless Yutaka Take and outbattled the positively ridden 4-year-old filly Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) to take out Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen, the fan-voted 'Grand Prix' of Japan. Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) made the majority of the running, but where he weakened out to finish down the field 12 months ago, held courageously for third in his final career start.

Outfooted and relegated to the tail of the field, with 5-2 pick Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–runner-up to Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn)– bringing up the rear, the 2022 G1 Tokyo Yushun hero traveled strongly for Take, as Titleholder opened a long lead through the middle stages as was widely expected. Keeping his mount out wide and out of harm's way, Take slipped Do Deuce some rein as they took the rise with 800 metres to race, but Titleholder wasn't coming back to the field just yet and carried a healthy advantage into the final 600 metres.

But the swoopers began to chime in, as Do Deuce got underway at the midpoint on the turn and was four deep, but gaining on the front-runner nearing the entrance to the straight as Stars on Earth plugged on at the fence. Titleholder was brave on the lead and stuck on well into the final furlong, but he just couldn't quite see it out, as Do Deuce rolled home to outfinish the 2022 G1 Yushun Himba heroine, giving Take an 81st elite-level success on the JRA. Next in was Justin Palace  followed by 2021 Derby winner Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while reigning Derby winner Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) was sixth.

Last but one in last year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Do Deuce resumed with a cracking victory in the G2 Kyoto Kinen Feb. 12, an effort that propelled him in most circles to favourite's status for the G1 Dubai Turf. Forced to withdraw from the contest in the days leading up to it, the bay was somewhat disappointing when a first-up seventh to Equinox in the Tenno Sho and was a latest fourth to the now-retired Horse of the Year in the G1 Japan Cup Nov. 26. The two most recent efforts came with Keita Tosaki on his back, but it was Take renewing acquaintances Sunday, having recently returned from an injury-enforced absence.

“It's great to comeback with Do Deuce to win this race against some really strong opponents,” said Take, winning his fourth Arima Kinen, three of which have occurred on Christmas Eve. “He was in good shape coming into this race and although the colt was a bit keen, I had to keep him in hand and maintain a good rhythm and not let him rush and gave him the go from about 700 metres out. His response was very good rounding the last corner and gave a terrific late charge to the wire. We did have our struggles after winning the Kyoto Kinen early this year, but I was determined to show his true strength and prove what he was really made of in this big race.”

Pedigree Notes:

Two-time graded-stakes winner Dust and Diamonds, also runner-up to Groupie Doll in the 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint for Padua Stables and Richard Santulli, changed hands for $900,000 at that year's Fasig-Tipton November Sale and won the GIII Sugar Swirl S. in a single racetrack appearance for Borges Torrealba Holdings and Three Chimneys Farm. The mare foaled MGSP Much Better (Pioneerof the Nile) for that operation before being purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for an even $1 million in foal to Pioneerof the Nile at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale.

Carrying the distinctive Shadai black-and-yellow stripes, Heart's Cry was runner-up to King Kamehameha (Jpn) in the 2004 Tokyo Yushun and ninth in this event behind Zenno Rob Roy. He ran with credit, albeit without winning, early on at four in 2005, but blossomed really and truly at the back end of the season, missing by a nose to the Luca Cumani-conditioned Alkaased in the G1 Japan Cup before famously handing Deep Impact (Jpn) his only domestic defeat in that year's Arima Kinen. Heart's Cry became the second Japanese-based winner of the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in 2006 and was third to Hurricane Run (Ire) and Electrocutionist in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. at Ascot, but was well held behind Deep Impact in that year's Japan Cup.

Do Deuce is one of a dozen top-level scorers for his sire, whose daughter Lys Gracieux (Jpn) was brilliant in winning the 2019 Arima Kinen. Heart's Cry passed away this past March aged 22, but was represented posthumously by Continuous (Jpn), victorious in this year's G1 St Leger. Heart's Cry's recently repatriated American dual-surface Grade I winner Yoshida (Jpn) is out of the Grade I-winning Hilda's Passion, whose sire Canadian Frontier was a son of Gone West and Borodislew (Seattle Slew).

Kieffers purchased the Real Steel (Jpn) half-brother to Do Deuce for a sales-topping ¥94.6 million (approximately $664,000) at the 2022 Northern Farm Foal Sale and Dust and Diamonds foaled a filly by Silver State (Jpn) this past Mar. 20 before visiting Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Contrail (Jpn).

Sunday, Nakayama, Japan
ARIMA KINEN-G1, ¥959,860,000, Nakayama, 12-24, 3yo/up, 2500mT, 2:30.90, gd/fm.
1–DO DEUCE (JPN), 128, c, 4, by Heart's Cry (Jpn)
1st Dam: Dust and Diamonds (MGSW & GISP-US, $496,260), by Vindication
2nd Dam: Majestically, by Gone West
3rd Dam: Darling Dame, by Lyphard
O-Kieffers Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Yasuo Tomomichi; J-Yutaka Take; ¥503,420,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Colt-Jpn, 12-6-1-1, $7,671,573. *1/2 to Much Better (Pioneerof the Nile), MGSP, $332,204. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Stars on Earth (Jpn), 123, f, 4, Duramente (Jpn)–Southern Stars (GB), by Smart Strike. O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm; T-Mizuki Takayanagi; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥200,972,000.
3–Titleholder (Jpn), 128, h, 5, Duramente (Jpn)–Mowen (GB), by Motivator (GB). (¥20,000,000 Wlg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Hiroshi Yamada; B-Okada Stud; T-Toru Kurita; J-Kazuo Yokoyama; ¥130,486,000.
Margins: HF, 1, HD. Odds: 4.20, 7.60, 7.30.
Also Ran: Justin Palace (Jpn), Shahryar (Jpn), Tastiera (Jpn), Win Marilyn (Jpn), Sol Oriens (Jpn), Harper (Jpn), Ho O Emmy's (Jpn), Iron Barows (Jpn), Through Seven Seas (Jpn), Lilac (Jpn), Pradaria (Jpn), Deep Bond (Jpn), Heat on Beat (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video.

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Arima Kinen An Early Christmas Feast

With the recent retirement of the world's top-rated racehorse Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and with Triple Tiara heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) spelling with destinations unknown for 2024, Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen is missing its top two votegetters. But the 2500-metre event, which easily attracts the largest single-race betting in the world on an annual basis, is certainly not lacking for quality.

While Equinox is not back to defend his title, a good deal of how to solve the contest from a pari-mutuel perspective goes through him. Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) is one of four runners pressing on to the Christmas Eve feature from the G1 Japan Cup, where Equinox had four lengths on Liberty Island. In the estimation of many, the 4-year-old–one of just two horses to finish ahead of the reigning Horse of the Year, in his case in the 2022 G1 Tokyo Yushun–would have been the one to beat in the G1 Dubai Turf in March, but was scratched and missed seven months. The bay was disappointing when seventh behind Equinox in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) in October and fell a bit short of expectations when only fourth in the Japan Cup. His connections still have not lost faith.

'[Jockey Yutaka] Take rode work last week and, as I'd thought, they really looked good together,” said trainer Yasuo Tomomichi. “Take said the horse had moved really well as usual. This will be his third start of the fall season but I don't think he's tired at all. I'd say he has improved quite a bit and there is no need for more work. Equinox is out of the picture now and I think any horse has a chance.”

 

 

 

Do Deuce is one of three Derby winners in the race, joining 2021 hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}). The former was a cracking third to Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf Nov. 4 and was an intended runner in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase two weeks ago, but was a vet scratch. In spite of his obvious quality, the 5-year-old is no better than a 50-1 chance ante-post. Tastiera dropped a narrow decision to the sometimes mercurial Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in April's G1 Satsuki Sho before turning the tables in the Derby. He exits a second–with Sol Oriens third–in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) over 3000 metres Oct. 22.

No fewer than six fillies and mares feature in the 16-strong field, but two most-fancied have drawn the widest gates in a race that is run around three turns at Nakayama. Through Seven Seas (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) put a bit of a scare into Equinox when flashing home for second in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in June, after which it was announced that she'd be programmed for the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. A highly creditable fourth to Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}), she is capable if able to work out out a trip from barrier 15. Drawn widest is the oft-unlucky Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who was unfortunate not to complete the 2022 Triple Tiara and looks to snap a frustrating streak of placings, including a latest third in the Japan Cup. Her late sire is also responsible for Titleholder (Jpn), a pacesetting ninth in this last year. Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), victorious in the 2022 G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and an outstanding fourth to Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Nov. 4, makes the final start of her career and is the longest price at north of 115-1.

Adding further intrigue are the half-brothers Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), winner of the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) over 3200 metres and third in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), and Iron Barows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), who punched his ticket to this with a victory in the G2 Stayers S. going 3600 metres of this course Dec. 2. The pair are half-brothers to recent Darley Japan import Palace Malice (Curlin).

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Equinox Overpowers Rivals in Arima Kinen

Five years after his sire clinched a second consecutive Horse of the Year title in Japan with a victory in the G1 Arima Kinen, Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) stated his case for top year-end honours for 2022 with a dominating display in front of a pandemic-restricted, but boisterous crowd of roughly 47,000 fans Christmas Day at Nakayama Racecourse.

The firming 13-10 favourite in the fan-voted affair, Equinox left without incident from gate nine and landed in midfield on the back of defending champion and reigning Horse of the Year Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) as Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn})–returning off an 11th in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe–showed the way at an even tempo. Content with his position through the middle furlongs, Christophe Lemaire eased Equinox out for a four-wide sweep around the turn and it was all academic from there, as the flashy dark bay struck the front with a furlong and a half to travel and kicked on smartly. Boldog Hos (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), this year's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) runner-up, also made a bold move on the bend from far back and was a brave second ahead of G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup heroine Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), who closed off well after missing the kick. Efforia was a meritorious fifth first off a six-month absence.

“What happens twice will happen thrice,” said the winning jockey who was recording a 43rd Group 1 on the JRA circuit. “I won the Arima Kinen with Heart's Cry and Satono Diamond both on Christmas Day, and I'm really happy to be able to win the race on Christmas Day again. We were able to make a good start and the horse was keen to go so I held him and responded strongly when I brought him to the outside. Though he was not mature yet during his spring campaign, he became really strong from this fall and I look forward to his performance next year.”

Winning trainer Tetsuya Kimura indicated that Equinox is likely to travel in early 2023, with the Saudi Cup program a potential starting point.

“But first I need to watch his condition after the race,” the conditioner said.

Pedigree Notes:

Kitasan Black, who was narrowly second to Satono Diamond in 2016 before closing his career in this race, is the sire of 64 winners from his first two crops to the races and is also responsible for group winners Gaia Force (Jpn) from his first crop as well as the 2-year-old filly Ravel (Jpn), who took out this year's G2 Artemis S. Equinox's year-older half-brother Weiss Meteor (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) also carried the Silk Racing colours to victory in last year's G3 Radio Nikkei Sho. Shadai Farm acquired Equinox's fourth dam Blanche Reine (Fr) (Nureyev) carrying Maison Blanche for $410,000 at the 1988 Keeneland November Sale. Chateau Blanche is the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Just a Way (Jpn) and a yearling filly by Kizuna (Jpn). She was blank for 2022 and is due for a full-sibling to Equinox in 2023.

Sunday, Nakayama, Japan
ARIMA KINEN-G1, ¥764,800,000, Nakayama, 12-26, 3yo/up, 2500mT, 2:32.40, fm.
1–EQUINOX (JPN), 121, c, 3, by Kitasan Black (Jpn)
1st Dam: Chateau Blanche (Jpn) (GSW-Jpn, $1,096,970), by King Halo (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Blancherie (Jpn), by Tony Bin (Ire)
3rd Dam: Maison Blanche (Jpn), by Alleged
O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Tetsuya Kimura; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥403,360,000. Lifetime: 6-4-2-0, ¥806,602,000. *1/2 to Weiss Meteor (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $820,531. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Boldog Hos (Jpn), 121, c, 3, Screen Hero (Jpn)–Boldogsag (Fr), by Layman (Fr). O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm; ¥160,960,000.
3–Geraldina (Jpn), 121, f, 4, Maurice (Jpn)–Gentildonna (Jpn), by Deep Impact (Jpn). O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥100,480,000.
Margins: 2HF, 1HF, 3/4. Odds: 1.30, 13.10, 6.40.
Also Ran: Izu Jo no Kiseki (Jpn), Efforia (Jpn), Win Mighty (Jpn), Justin Palace (Jpn), Deep Bond (Jpn), Titleholder (Jpn), Vela Azul (Jpn), Boccherini (Jpn), Potager (Jpn), Last Draft (Jpn), Aristoteles (Jpn), Akai Ito (Jpn), Breakup (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart.

 

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Fan-Voted Arima Kinen Lures Japan’s Star Gallopers

Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen offers fans of international racing the ultimate Christmas gift, as a field of 16–largely selected by the public–will face the starter in one of the world's most valuable Group 1 races not held in a desert environment.

Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) was the leading votegetter and looks to atone for his speed-and-fade 11th-place effort in that boggy-ground renewal of the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp Oct. 2. He'd earned the right to contest Europe's weight-for-age championship, having defeated fellow Arc runner Deep Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) over the metric two miles in May followed by a two-length score in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen the next month. Fifth in this race last season, Titleholder looms the controlling speed and could prove tough to peg back.

“Last week, jockey Kazuo Yokoyama, who knows him best of all, rode to check his balance and how well he was communicating with the rider. Everything was fine,” said trainer Toru Kurita. “He carried himself well, with good balance, and raced solidly to the end. He is improving slowly, but surely. His muscle tone and coat are looking good and his wind was better than it had been the week before. He is also more eager to run. There are no particular points of concern.”

The flashy Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) was second in this year's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and most recently returned from a five-month break to post an improbable victory over loose leader Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo Oct. 30.

“At the bottom of the slope, he was so far behind the front-runner I was worried he wasn't going to make it,” admitted assistant trainer Yu Ota. “In the end, however, he moved on his own, gave it his all and was able to overtake the front-runner.”

Equinox will be looking to complete the same Tenno Sho/Arima Kinen double this year as did Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) did 12 months ago with a 3/4-length defeat of Deep Bond. But it hasn't been plain sailing since for the reigning Horse of the Year, who resumed with a slow-starting ninth in the G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin Apr. 3 and his lone appearance since was a moderate sixth to Titleholder in the Takarazuka Kinen.

Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn}) was given a masterful steer from Ryan Moore to be up in the final couple of jumps in the G1 Longines Japan Cup Nov. 27 and shoots for a fourth straight victory, while Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) will try to follow-up on her win over recent G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase heroine Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup last month. Geraldina's dam, the great Gentildonna (Jpn), swansonged victoriously in the 2014 Arima Kinen, as did the latter's legendary sire–Deep Impact (Jpn)–in 2006.

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