Asahi Hai Futurity | Horse Racing Free Tips

Palace Malice’s Jantar Mantar Times It Right In the Futurity

Hot on the heels of the announcement that his US Classic-winning sire would be relocating to Japan in time for the 2024 breeding season, Shadai Race Horse's American-conceived, but Japanese-foaled Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice) provided the perfect advertisement Sunday with a smart success in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. at Hanshin. With the victory, his third in as many trips to the races, the homebred is in the reckoning for champion Japanese 2-year-old male honours.

Favoured to build on his last-out score in the G2 Daily Hai Nisai S. at Kyoto Nov. 11, Jantar Mantar was one of the first to break the line from stall three, but there was plenty of speed on and he ultimately settled about mid-division. Second choice Strauss (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), who was slightly tardy from barrier 17, was asked early by Tom Marquand and burned across to take up the running with fully 1000 metres to travel.

Riding the rails throughout beneath Yuga Kawada, Jantar Mantar was sent through inside of the well-backed, but difficult-to-handle Danon McKinley (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) three furlongs from home and struck the front inside of the weakening Strauss at the juncture of the inner and outer turf courses. Jantar Mantar drifted a bit, having hit the front relatively early, but had enough in hand to be home comfortably first, as Ecoro Walz (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}) finished off well to be second. The filly Tagano Elpida (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) finished with credit in third, having skipped last weekend's G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in favour of this spot. Danon McKinley was a disappointing eighth and Strauss equally so in 10th.

“I urged him to go a bit earlier than planned, as it didn't seem like we were going to get a clear path,” said Kawada, firmly entrenched in second in the jockeys' premiership behind Christophe Lemaire. “He has a good character and he's a highly capable horse, so I think he will continue to grow and I look forward to his future races.”

Pedigree Notes:

Jantar Mantar becomes the second elite-level winner for Palace Malice, whose first-crop son Structor won the 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and was sold to Japanese interests in 2022 for his stallion career. Jantar Mantar is one of two of the sire's five graded/group winners that hails from an A.P. Indy-line dam and one of four of 11 stakes winners that are similarly bred. Jantar Mantar was produced on a similar cross to this year's listed winner Brocknardini, who is out of a daughter of Wilburn's sire Bernardini.

India Mantuana produced a career-best in upsetting the GIII Red Carpet H. over 11 furlongs on turf in 2018 and, after being led out unsold on a bid of $145,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, was purchased by Shadai for $100,000 pregnant to Accelerate at Keeneland January in 2020. She unfortunately aborted that foal and was bred to this sire prior to her export to Japan, where she slipped her Kizuna (Jpn) foal in 2022 and produced a filly by Pyro this past February.

Palace Malice is a half-brother to G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) winner Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Group 2 winner Iron Barows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), who are set to meet in next Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama.

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
ASAHI HAI FUTURITY S.-G1, ¥135,740,000, Hanshin, 12-17, 2yo c/f, 1600mT, 1:33.80, gd/fm.
1–JANTAR MANTAR (JPN), 123, c, 2, by Palace Malice
1st Dam: India Mantuana (GSW-US, $223,100), by Wilburn
2nd Dam: Speed Wagon, by Tomorrows Cat
3rd Dam: Rajica, by El Baba
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Shadai Race Horse Co Ltd; B-Shadai Farm; T-Tomokazu Takano; J-Yuga Kawada; ¥71,218,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, ¥116,810,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ecoro Walz (Jpn), 123, c, 2, Black Tide (Jpn)–Petit Princesse (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O-Masatoshi Haramura; B-Shimokobe Farm; ¥28,348,000.
3–Tagano Elpida (Jpn), 121, f, 2, Kizuna (Jpn)–Tagano Reventon (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O-Ryoji Yagi; B-Niikappu Tagano Farm; ¥18,174,000,
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, HD. Odds: 1.70, 9.00, 12.20.
Also Ran: June Take (Jpn), Tagano Dude (Jpn), Satomino Kirari (Jpn), Set Up (Jpn), Danon McKinley (Jpn), Taiki Vainqueur (Jpn), Strauss (Jpn), Namura Hooker (Jpn), Band Shell (Jpn), Enya Love Faith (Jpn), Awesome Stroke (Jpn), Ask One Time (Jpn), Clean Air (Jpn), Miltenberg (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart.

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Jantar Mantar Looks To Remain Unbeaten In Asahi Hai Futurity

It was announced just Thursday that American Classic winner Palace Malice (Curlin) would be joining the Japanese stallion ranks at Darley beginning in 2024, and Shadai Race Horse Co.'s US-conceived Jantar Mantar (Jpn) can provide his sire with a timely boost in Sunday's G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. going a right-handed 1600 metres at Hanshin Racecourse.

A son of American Grade III winner India Mantuana (Wilburn) and bred on a variant of the wildly successful cross of Curlin over A.P. Indy-line dams, the dark bay colt debuted with an impressive 2 1/2-length victory going 1800 metres at Kyoto Oct. 8 and overcame a penchant to overrace with a fast-finishing defeat of Enya Love Faith (Jpn) (A Shin Hikari {Jpn}) and Namura Hooker (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}) to win the G2 Daily Hai Nisai S. over this distance Nov. 11 (see below, SC 2). Leading jockey Yuga Kawada takes over in the saddle Sunday afternoon from a low draw.

“There have been no problems with him, and his responses at the finish in training have been good, and he's moving well,” said trainer Tomokazu Takano. “He's had the same four-week period of time between races as he had before his last race. I'm not worried about it being his first time at the Hanshin track.”

Carrot Farm's Strauss (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), whose dam Blumenblatt (Jpn) (Admire Vega {Jpn}) won the G1 Mile Championship S., demolished a field of Toyko newcomers by nine lengths in soft ground June 3, but was not seen again for four months, resuming with a third in the G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup at headquarters in October. He stepped out to nine furlongs in the G2 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai S. Nov. 18 and returned to winning ways with a 1 1/2-length victory. Tom Marquand has the riding assignment from barrier 17 of 17 Sunday.

“He might be a 2-year-old, but he feels quite mature,” the jockey said. “He stood out among the other horses in his last race, so I hope he can run in a similar way to how he did last time.”

Danon McKinley (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), a ¥220 million (£1.22 million/US$1.62 million) purchase out of last year's JHRA Select Sale, tries the mile for the first time, having easily won his 1400-metre unveiling over the Hanshin course Sept. 30 before overcoming a tardy dispatch to easily scoop a 1-win class conditions test over the same trip Nov. 19. His time of 1:20.7 was 0.6 seconds quicker than the 1400-meter split of the Mile Championship S. a few races later.

With Strauss drawn widest, it seems fitting that Ecoro Waltz (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}) jumps from the inside box as he looks to make it three-from-three in his young career. He most recently carried Yutaka Take to a six-length victory in an 1800-metre conditions test at northern Sapporo Aug. 13.

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Japan: Do Deuce Remains Undefeated In Asahi Hai Futurity

Third favorite Do Deuce (Heart's Cry) claimed this year's Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes and has become an undefeated champion two-year-old miler—the colt won his debut start in September and his next Ivy Stakes start in October.

Do Deuce traveled wide and in mid-pack after breaking from stall nine, ran down the middle of the straight with the tied fastest late speed tagging Serifos after the furlong marker and battled stride for stride finally shaking off the stubborn favorite in the final strides to win by half a length.

For trainer Yasuo Tomomichi, this is his second Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes victory following the 2018 version with Admire Mars, and his 14th overall JRA-G1 win—his latest was with World Premiere in this year's Tenno Sho (Spring). Jockey Yutaka Take celebrates his first Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes title in his 22nd challenge, and his 78th JRA-G1 win—his latest was with World Premiere in the 2019 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger). Among the 24 flat JRA-G1 races, Take is just one title short, the year-end Hopeful Stakes that was upgraded to G1 status in 2017.

“Do Deuce is an honest colt,” commented Yutaka Take. “We were able to run in a good position and in good rhythm while observing the others. He responded well going into the straight and although the favorite was stubborn and hard to beat, he dug in remarkably all the way to the line. He's getting stronger by every race—we can look forward to the spring classics next year. (Asked about his long-awaited first Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes title) I'm so happy—at last! It's been a while since my last G1 victory which makes the win even sweeter. I hope I can make the (flat-G1 race) sweep next week in the Hopeful Stakes.”

Race favorite Serifos broke well and was keen to press the pace but was held back, settling in fifth to sixth before the final turns. With a good turn of foot, the Daiwa Major colt ran strongly in the center of the lane, took over the lead after a brief duel with Toshin Macau but surrendered after putting up a good fight against the eventual winner for second place.

Fourth pick Danon Scorpion broke sharply, eased back to eighth and after angling out at the top of the stretch, launched a late drive chasing Do Deuce and Serifos but failed to threaten, finishing third while putting a good 1-3/4-length margin between himself and the rest of the field.

Other Horses:
4th: (3) Al Naseem—was off slow, saved ground around 12th, showed effort until overtaken by top finishers
5th: (13) Geoglyph—unhurried in 14th, angled out, showed belated charge
6th: (12) Toshin Macau—chased leaders around 3rd, took a brief lead before 200m pole, outrun
7th: (11) Dobune—ran 4-wide around 12th, passed tired rivals at stretch
8th: (8) Purpur Ray—tracked leader around 3rd, rallied for lead, weakened in last 200m
9th: (14) Tudo de Bom—stalked leader in 2nd, remained in contention up to 200m pole
10th: (10) Sprit the Sea—traveled 3-wide around 10th, even paced
11th: (5) Via Dolorosa—settled around 10th behind eventual winner, unable to reach contention
12th: (6) Otaru Ever—sat around 5th, circled wide, showed little at stretch
13th: (2) Sekkachi Cane—took economic trip around 5th, outrun in stretch
14th: (1) Kaju Faith—set pace, faded after passing 300m marker
15th: (15) Sin Limites—far rear throughout trip, no factor

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Do Deuce Earns Asahi Hai Spoils

Five unbeaten 2-year-old colts lined up in Sunday's championship-crowning G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. at Hanshin, and it was the third betting choice Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) who emerged with his perfect record intact while handing legendary jockey Yutaka Take his first win in the race.

In a pattern that would be unusual in most other major racing nations, Do Deuce made his first two starts over nine furlongs before dropping back to eight for his first Group 1 assignment. He won both his prior starts by a neck: a maiden race on Sept. 5 and Tokyo's Listed Ivy S. on Oct. 23.

Traveling midpack and wide on Sunday as the race favourite Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) sat closer to the pace while racing keenly, Do Deuce found himself in the middle of the track when they straightened for home. After being slightly hampered by a rival, Do Deuce regrouped to rally on the heels of Serifos. Always looking like he was traveling better than that rival despite switching back to his wrong lead two furlongs from home, Do Deuce overhauled a stubborn Serifos inside the final half-furlong to score by a half-length under mild coaxing.

“Do Deuce is an honest colt,” said Take, who was winning his 78th JRA Group 1 and his first since 2019. “We were able to run in a good position and in good rhythm while observing the others. He responded well going into the straight and although the favorite was stubborn and hard to beat, he dug in remarkably all the way to the line. He's getting stronger by every race—we can look forward to the spring classics next year.”

Take, Japan's most popular and best-known jockey internationally, now just needs to win the G1 Hopeful S. for 2-year-olds to have won all 24 JRA Group 1s. That race takes place next week.

Pedigree Notes
Do Deuce is the 11th Group 1 winner for his sire Heart's Cry and the fifth out of a Vindication mare. His dam, Dust And Diamonds, won the GII Gallant Bloom S. and GIII Sugar Swirl S. and was second in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in 2012. She produced three foals in the U.S., headed by the listed-winning and multiple graded placed Much Better (Pioneerof the Nile) before being purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for $1-million, in foal to Pioneerof the Nile, at Keeneland November in 2016. Her first three foals in Japan are all winners, with Do Deuce the lone black-type winner among them.

ASAHI HAI FUTURITY S.-G1, ¥135,580,000, Hanshin, 12-19, 2yo, c&f, 1600mT, 1:33.50, fm.
1–DO DEUCE (JPN), 121, c, 2, 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
1ST GROUP WIN. O-Kieffers Inc; B-Northern Farm; T-Yasuo
Tomomichi; J-Yutaka Take; ¥71,106,000. Lifetime Record:
3-3-0-0. *1/2 to Much Better (Pioneerof the Nile), MGSP-US,
$275,031. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: C+.
2–Serifos (Jpn), 121, c, 2, Daiwa Major (Jpn)–Sea Front (Fr), by
Le Havre (Ire). O-G1 Racing; B-Oiwake Farm; ¥28,316,000.
3–Danon Scorpion (Jpn), 121, c, 2, Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)–Lexie
Lou, by Sligo Bay (Ire). O-Danox Inc; B-K.I. Farm; ¥18,158,000.
Margins: HF, HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 6.80, 1.40, 8.70.
Also Ran: Al Naseem (Jpn), Geoglyph (Jpn), Toshin Macau (Jpn), Dobune (Jpn), Purpur Ray (Jpn), Tudo de Bom (Jpn), Sprit the Sea (Jpn), Via Dolorosa (Jpn), Otaru Ever (Jpn), Sekkachi Cane (Jpn), Kaju Faith (Jpn), Shin Limites (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart and video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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