Godolphin's Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) has been the best dirt horse in Japan this year at distances up to a mile, but the 5-year-old faces a stamina-stretching test from a horrible draw when he faces 14 others in Sunday's G1 Champions Cup (1800m) at Chukyo Racecourse.
A $70,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase, the chestnut won the G3 Negishi S. over 1400 metres at Toyko in January and silenced those who questioned his ability to stay an extra furlong when running out a comfortable winner of the G1 February S. the following month. Sent to Dubai for the G1 Golden Shaheen over a 1200-metre journey that was too sharp, he was only 10th, but rebounded with a front-running romp in the Listed Mile Championship Nambu Hai Oct. 9. He tries a two-turn route for the first time and Ryusei Sakai will have to judge it right from the 15 hole.
“While there is a worry about the 1800 metres this time, and how balanced he might be in the run, he's been successful so far, so we can only think of him making a big challenge here,” said trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka. “It'll be interesting to see what kind of race he can run. We'll rely on the jockey to get the best out of him.”
Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) was an unlucky loser of this year 12 months ago, but has put together a very formidable record this season. Fifth to Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai World Cup in March at Meydan–site of his 2022 G2 UAE Derby score–the dark bay was just beaten by Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro) in the valuable Listed Teio Sho June 28 and overwhelmed compatriot Gloria Mundi (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) by 10 lengths in the G3 Korea Cup at Seoul Sept. 10.
“There are some strong horses in the race again this year, but with the condition he's in, it should put him right up there with them,” commented trainer Koichi Shintani. “He hasn't been losing by much in his previous races, and the way he won last time in Korea certainly gives us confidence here.”
T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister), the 2021 Champions Cup winner and fourth last year, has acquitted himself well without winning this term. Fourth in the World Cup, he was a head behind Crown Pride in the Teio Sho and third to the progressive King's Sword (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) and Notturno (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the Listed JBC Classic Nov. 3.
Three-year-old Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) is the X-factor in the Champions Cup, as he is perfect from his five starts to date, all this season. After winning his first four in the lower grades, he rattled home from the latter half of the field to stamp his authority on Kyoto's G3 Miyako S. Nov. 5, pulling away to best Make a Leap (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) by three emphatic lengths.
A pair of females are in this year's line-up, including JBC Ladies' Classic heroine Icon Tailor (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), and Ater Astraea (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), beaten 4 1/2 lengths into third in the same event.`
Japanese horses flexed their muscles at the Saudi Cup meeting in February and again in Dubai the following month and a quartet of gallopers that made the short trip over for Sunday's Korea Cup (1800m) and Korea Sprint (1200m)–each carrying international Group 3 status–made their presence felt yet again in front of a packed house at Seoul Racecourse.
Japan took the first three runnings of the Cup in which they were represented from 2016-2018 and finished third with favored Sekifu (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) last year as Winner's Man (Kor) (Musket Man) led home a local 1-2 over Raon the Fighter (Kor) (Bayern) following a two-year, COVID-enforced postponement of the features. Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), last year's G2 UAE Derby hero and GI Kentucky Derby participant, was joined on the trip over by Gloria Mundi (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), less heralded, but six-from-eight on dirt, including a Group 3 when last seen in May.
With Yuga Kawada in for the afternoon, Crown Pride was bet into $1.30 (3-10) favoritism and made light work of it, taking over at the midway stage, turning back a mild bid from Gloria Mundi nearing the straight and careering away under a hold to take it by 10 lengths over his compatriot. Winner's Man ran on for third, while Hong Kong raider Apache Star (Aus) (War Chant) faded into ninth after racing prominently early.
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Training assistant to Koichi Shintani, Matsuda has travelled the world with CROWN PRIDE and is very excitable after the horse's 10-length Korea Cup win! #クラウンプライド#競馬pic.twitter.com/wAAJdIhu5H
Koji Maeda's Remake (Jpn) (Lani) was third in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint and a troubled fifth in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen earlier in the year and prepped for the Korea Sprint with a facile success in listed company at Morioka last month. Also favoured at 30 cents on the dollar, the homebred sat a midfield trip for Kawada, went for an inside run into the stretch and raced past pacesetting Beolmaui Star (Kor) (To Honor and Serve) to score by four easy lengths in track-record time. The well-traveled Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), a winner at group level in Dubai in 2022 and in Saudi Arabia this term, ran on for third ahead of Hong Kong's Duke Wai (NZ) (Per Incanto), who rallied from well back for fourth. Defending champ Eoma Eoma (Algorithms) was fifth.
Foreign targets in the immediate future for the winners could include Breeders' Cup appearances, though Crown Pride could be pointed for the valuable JBC Classic in November or December's G1 Champions Cup, in which he was narrowly defeated last season. Remake is also a candidate for the JBC Sprint and/or the G3 Capella S., which marked his first win at stakes level in 2022.
Sunday, Seoul, South Korea KOREA CUP-G3, ₩1,600,000,000 ($1,196,000), Seoul, 9-10, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:51.5, gd.
1–CROWN PRIDE (JPN), 126, c, 4, by Reach the Crown (Jpn) 1st Dam: Emmy's Pride (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Emmy's Smile (Jpn), by Agnes Tachyon (Jpn) 3rd Dam: Hemisphere (Jpn), by White Muzzle (GB)
O-Teruya Yoshida; B-Shadai Farm; T-Koichi Shintani; J-Yuga Kawada; ₩880,000,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE, G1SP-Jpn, 12-4-4-0, $3,632,652. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Gloria Mundi (Jpn), 126, h, 5, King Kamehameha (Jpn)–Bettolle (Ity), by Blu Air Force (Ire). O-Kazumi Yoshida; B-Northern Racing; T-Ryuji Okubo; J-Ryusei Sakai; ₩352,000,000.
3–Winner's Man (Kor), 126, h, 5, Musket Man–Winner's Marine (Kor), by Volponi. O-Lee Gyeong Hui; B-Kim Gi Seok; T-Choi Ki Hong; J-Seo Seung Un; ₩224,000,000.
Margins: 10, 5, HF. Odds: 0.30, 3.40, 17.40.
Also Ran: Success Macho (Kor), Haengbok Wangja, Tuhonui Banseok, Crazy Conti, Global Hit (Kor), Apache Pass (Aus), Simjangui Godong (Kor), Brigadier General (Aus), Tiz Barows (Kor), The Gumpu, Moohnak Chief. Scratched: Complete Value (Kor).
Sunday, Seoul, South Korea KOREA SPRINT-G3, ₩1,200,000,000 ($897,000), Seoul, 9-10, 3yo/up, 1200m, 1:10 (NTR), gd.
1–REMAKE (JPN), 126, c, 4, by Lani 1st Dam: Sariel (Jpn) (GSP-Jpn, $888,410), by King Kamehameha (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Shinko Nobby, by Nashwan 3rd Dam: Christabelle, by Northern Dancer
O-Koji Maeda; B-North Hills Co Ltd; T-Koichi Shintani; J-Yuga Kawada; ₩770,000,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn, GSP-KSA, 14-7-2-2, $1,891,484. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Beolmaui Star (Kor), 126, c, 4, To Honor and Serve–Gaya Gongju (Kor), by War Zone. O-Lee Jong Hun; B-Kim Geun Young; T-Baik Kwang Yeol; J-Seo Seung Un; ₩308,000,000.
3–Bathrat Leon (Jpn), 126, h, 5, Kizuna (Jpn)–Bathrat Amal (Jpn), by New Approach (Ire). O-Hiroo Race Co Ltd; B-Mishima Bokujo; T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Ryusei Sakai; ₩196,000,000.
Margins: 4, 2HF, 2HF. Odds: 0.30, 47.80, 3.70.
Also Ran: Duke Wai (NZ), Eoma Eoma, Daehan Jilju, Morfhis, Ssonsal, Calm Strong, Raon Tap Man (Kor), Black Musk, Clean Up Happy (Kor), Yes Perfect, Good Pilseung, East Jet (Kor).
Produced wide off the final corner, Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro) knuckled down late and was shoved across the line by Suguru Hamanaka to just touch off perfect-trip Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) to become the first horse to successfully defend his title in the 2000-metre Teio Sho at Ohi Racecourse. T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister), fourth at 1-2 last year and the 2-1 favourite this time around, kicked on strongly between the top two in the final 30 metres, but was forced to settle for third.
Meisho Hario bounced alertly from gate four, but drifted back through the field, as Silk Racing's well-backed Promised Warrior (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior) made the running. Crown Pride, the 2022 G2 UAE Derby winner, landed in the box seat for Yuga Kawada, while T O Keynes raced in that one's slipstream a few lengths in arrears. Riding for luck into the straight, Kawada sent Crown Pride through inside of a weakening Promised Warrior with a furlong to travel and set sail for the wire, but Meisho Hario kept grinding away farther out into the track and got the better of the bobber.
Meisho Hario returned 18-1 when besting mutliple G1 Dubai World Cup placer Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in this event 12 months ago and closed the season with a third to future World Cup hero Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the Dec. 29 G1 Tokyo Daishoten over Wednesday's course and distance. An excellent third to Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) in the G1 February S. Feb. 19, Meisho Hario was exiting a victory in the Listed Kashiwa Kinen at NAR Funabashi May 4.
A half-brother to T O Royal, third to Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the 2022 G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) over 3200 metres, Meisho Hario has a 2-year-old half-brother by Drefong, a yearling half-brother by Bricks and Mortar and a half-sister by Rey de Oro (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) foaled May 17. Third dam Amizette (Forty Niner), a full-sister to former Japanese-based stallion Twining and a half to American champion Althea, produced European MGSW King of Rome (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and US GSW/GISP Super Espresso (Medaglia d'Oro).
Wednesday's Results: TEIO SHO (Jpn-G1)-Listed, ¥136,000,000 (£745,008/€862,648/$941,392), Oi, 6-28, 4yo/up, 2000m, 2:01.90, gd.
1–MEISHO HARIO (JPN), 126, h, 6, Pyro–Meisho Ohi (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). O-Yoshio Matsumoto; B-Mishima Bokujo; T-Inao Okada; J-Suguru Hamanaka; ¥80,000,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & MG1SP-Jpn, 22-9-2-4, ¥451,305,000. *1/2 to T O Royal (Leontes {Jpn}), GSW & G1SP-Jpn, $1,322,843.
2–Crown Pride (Jpn), 126, c, 4, Reach the Crown (Jpn)–Emmy's Pride (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). O-Teruya Yoshida; B-Shadai Farm; ¥28,000,000.
3–T O Keynes (Jpn), 126, h, 6, Sinister Minister–Maxim Cafe (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). O-Tomoya Ozasa; B-Yanagawa Bokujo; ¥16,000,000.
Margins: NO, HD, 4. Odds: 2.90, 6.30, 2.00. Click for the goracing.jp chart.
Going into Saturday's Saudi Cup meeting at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, there was approximately one way that this year's results could better the massive success achieved by Japan in 2022. And who better to orchestrate it but trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who has won major races everywhere with the possible exception of Mars, as Hiroo Race Co. Ltd's Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), one of six top-shelf gallopers signed on from the Land of the Rising Sun and making just the second start of an already successful career on the dirt, led from flagfall to finish for a maiden Japanese victory in the world's richest horse race.
Following Wednesday's post position draw, Yahagi declared himself pleased enough with having been assigned the one hole, saying simply, 'gotta go.' And jockey Yutaka Yoshida followed the script to a 'T', kicking the entire straight into the lead, as G1 Satsuki Sho hero Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong), an unknown commodity on the dirt, raced closest in attendance to the pace, while 'TDN Rising Star'Taiba (Gun Runner) was pulled out wide to stalk that pair. Traveling like a seasoned main-track horse while racing a few paths off the rail into the turn, Panthalassa skipped along comfortably and hit the quarter pole with a clear advantage over Geoglyph. By this stage, Taiba had hoisted the white flag, and at one point with about a quarter mile to the finish, the top four spots were occupied by the Japanese. Geoglyph boxed on very gamely and dual G1 February S. hero Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) loomed a brief threat between rivals after being steered down the inside 800 metres out by Joao Moreira, but Panthalassa kept finding and was home narrowly best.
Country Grammer (Tonalist) was trapped out about five wide for much of the journey, and he looked to be struggling beneath Frankie Dettori as the field hit the final three furlongs. But in a manner similar to last year's G1 Dubai World Cup, he found his second wind and rattled home down the centre of the track to set him up beautifully for a return trip to Meydan next month. He was also second to Emblem Road (Quality Road) in last year's race.
“At the top of the straight, I thought, 'Oh god, I'm going to finish sixth' but he just has too much heart,” Dettori said. “He wants a mile and a quarter [2000m]. Super result.”
Cafe Pharoah edged Geoglyph for third, completing a 6-year-old trifecta, while Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) made for a 1-3-4-5 finish for Japan. These winning connections also celebrated the 1351 Turf Sprint with Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}).
“Mr Yahagi said to me to ride my race and I would get a good result,” commented the 47-year-old Yoshida, who was in the saddle for Panthalassa's dead-heat victory in last year's G1 Dubai Turf. “So, I didn't think about the surface. I just rode my race and thought if he adapts to the track, it would be all right. Of course, they were coming for me in the straight, but Panthalassa always found another gear and so I kept riding. It is an unforgettable moment and I am very happy to have ridden the winner.”
Yahagi added: “I really can't believe it. I don't know if it is real at the moment. I think I was correct that my feeling was right that he could handle the dirt. You know this is not easy. Japanese racing tries everything to improve and develop. Japanese horse racing has become more international. Of course, this is the best feeling as the prize-money is the best!”
Yahagi's international conquests are now well-documented, but bear repeating. Having sent out Deep Brillante (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to win the 2012 G1 Tokyo Yushun at home, Yahagi saddled Real Steel (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to victory in the 2016 Dubai Turf. In 2019, Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) gave the stable a memorable success in the G1 Cox Plate in Melbourne, while in 2021, Real Steel's full-sister Loves Only You (Jpn) won a pair of Group 1s in Hong Kong and was one of two landmark winners for Yahagi and Japan at that year's Breeders' Cup meeting at Del Mar. At last year's Saudi Cup meeting, he added the G3 Longines Red Sea H. with Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), who would go on to take the G2 Dubai Gold Cup four weeks later in Dubai, one of three winners on the evening for Yahagi.
Victorious in the G2 Nakayama Kinen last February as a springboard to the Dubai Turf, Panthalassa found Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and–likely–the 11 furlongs of the G1 Takarazuka Kinen a task too tall, finishing 11th in that June 26 test. Outgamed by the flashy Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in August's G2 Sapporo Kinen over 2000 metres, the bay opened a lead of as many as 15 lengths in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Toyko Oct. 30 and fought on bravely into deep stretch before being reeled in by eventual Horse of the Year Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}). A well-bet 24-5 in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup in December, he failed to produce anything close to his best and finished well down the field.
Pedigree Notes:
Panthalassa's Saudi Cup is yet another feather in the cap of the outstanding Lord Kanaloa, who has sired Group 1 winners over sprint trips (Danon Smash {Jpn}, Tagaloa {Aus}), going a mile (Stelvio {Jpn}, Danon Scorpion {Jpn}) and Classic winners (Horse of the Year and Filly Triple Crown heroine Almond Eye {Jpn} and Saturnalia {Jpn}) from just six crops of racing age. Panthalassa is the stallion's first Group 1 winner on dirt.
Panthalassa is one of five winners from eight to the races for his dam, a 50,000gns purchase by the BBA Ireland at Tattersalls October in 2003 who was twice third from seven trips to the races in Japan as a 3-year-old before being retired. Miss Pemberley, whose female family includes the likes of Croco Rouge (Ire) and Alidiva (Ire), has a 2-year-old colt by Kizuna (Jpn) and her last listed produce is a yearling colt by Rey de Oro (Jpn), a Tokyo Yushun-winning son of Lord Kanaloa's late sire King Kamehameha (Jpn).
Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia SAUDI CUP-G1, $20,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-25, 4yo/up, 1800m, 1:50.80, ft.
1–PANTHALASSA (JPN), 126, h, 6, by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) 1st Dam: Miss Pemberley (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire) 2nd Dam: Stitching (Ire), by High Estate (Ire) 3rd Dam: Itching (Ire), by Thatching (Ire)
O-Hiroo Race Co Ltd; B-PANGLOSS Y K, Toshihiro Hirosaki et al; T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Yutaka Yoshida; $10,000,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-UAE, MGSW & G1SP-Jpn, 25-7-6-0, $14,418,903. *1/2 to Etendard (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), GSP-Jpn, $770,677; and Dimension (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), MGSP-Jpn, $1,030,766. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Country Grammer, 126, h, 6, Tonalist–Arabian Song, by Forestry. ($60,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP; $450,000 2yo '19 OBSAPR; $110,000 HRA '21 KEEJAN). O-Zedan Racing Stables, WinStar Farm & Commonwealth Thoroughbreds; B-Scott & Debbie Pierce (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Frankie Dettori; $3,500,000.
3–Cafe Pharoah, 126, h, 6, American Pharoah–Mary's Follies, by More Than Ready. ($475,000 2yo '19 OBSMAR). O-Koichi Nishikawa; B-Paul P Pompa (KY); T-Noriyuki Hori; J-Joao Moreira; $2,000,000.
Margins: 3/4, HF, HD. Odds: 15-1, 7-2, 14-1.
Also Ran: Geoglyph (Jpn), Crown Pride (Jpn), Emblem Road, Jun Light Bolt (Jpn), Taiba, Remorse (Ire), Lagertha Rhyme (Ire), Vin de Garde (Jpn), Sunset Flash (Ire), Scotland Yard.
