Hayato Yoshida | Horse Racing Free Tips

White Filly Sodashi Back To The Winner’s Circle In Japan

The all-white Sodashi defeated elders for the first time in her career on Sunday, capturing Japan's Grade 2 Sapporo Kinen by three-quarters of a length over the favorite, Arc hopeful Loves Only You, reports racingpost.com.

The 3-year-old daughter Kurofune made headlines as the first white Thoroughbred to succeed at racing's top level when she won the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in December, but disappointed with her first loss earlier this year when eighth in the Japanese Oaks in May. Sunday's Sapporo Kinen was her first start since, and the Naosuke Sugai-trained filly responded well off the three-month layoff.

It was the 100th graded stakes win for owner Makoto Kaneko, also the owner of the late legendary sire Deep Impact.

Winning jockey Hayato Yoshida told racingpost.com: “I am relieved. She had the outside stall so I thought the start was important. She maintained her rhythm in the race and her response was very fine, it was like she was saying, 'I can move any time on your command.'

“The ground was right for her, and I had confidence we could quicken and get the front-runners from the home turn.”

Champion White Filly Sodashi Remains Undefeated With Oka Sho Triumph To Kick Off Japanese Classics

Undefeated champion filly Sodashi, Japan's trailblazing white Thoroughbred, launched her 2021 at Hanshin Racecourse on Sunday with a neck victory over Satono Reinas in the 81st running of the Group 1 Oka Sho, the Japanese 1,000 Guineas that kicks off the series of classic races for 3-year-old fillies.

The daughter of the grey American-bred Kurofune set a new course record of 1:31.1 for the 1,600 meters (about one mile). Owned by her breeder, Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd. and trained by Naosuke Sugai, Sodashi was ridden to victory by Hayato Yoshida. She was the second choice in the wagering behind Satono Reinas, a Deep Impact filly ridden by Christophe Lemaire.

Sodashi broke quickly and was prominent throughout the Oka Sho, traveling along the rail in third or fourth position on the right-handed course while Satono Reinas did not get away cleanly and was far back in the field 18. After reaching the straight, Yoshida shifted Sodashi off the rail and found a seam in the three path, taking command with about 300 meters remaining and then just having enough to withstand the late run of Satono Reinas, who was flying in the final yards and just missed.

The Oka Sho is the first leg of the fillies' Triple Crown in Japan, which continues with the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks at 2,400 meters) and the Shuka Sho (2,000 meters). Six fillies have swept the series, most recently by Daring Tact, who became the first undefeated filly to complete the sweep last year.

“It's a great feeling,” said jockey Yoshida. “There was a lot of pressure with many doubting how strong a white filly could be, so I'm thrilled we were able to prove them wrong. I was a bit worried that the fast track would be a disadvantage, but she responded beautifully and ran well holding off the others closing in on us which I saw and made me drive her to the wire. Her potential is limitless and I look forward to her future starts.”

Sodashi, produced from the white King Kamehameha mare Buchiko, is now undefeated in five career starts.

With Japanese racecourse attendance still limited, only 3,137 were on hand to witness Sodashi's victory. Wagering on the Oka Sho totaled roughly $166.7 million and the day's handle was $247.7 million.

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Sodashi Scores Unique Win in Hanshin Juvenile Fillies

White wonder Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) became the first of her colour to score at the highest level in Japan with a narrow win in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies on Sunday. Deep Impact (Jpn)’s Satono Reinas (Jpn) was only a nose behind in third with Uberleben (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) a neck back in third.

The crowd’s pick at 2-1, the undefeated filly balked a bit prior to entering the stalls, but soon settled in fifth as Yoka Yoka (Jpn) (Squirtle Squirt) cut out moderate fractions of :23.20 and :46.80, with the first 1000 metres in :58.70. Sodashi was poised to make her bid and edged closer to the head of affairs on the far turn. She had to wait for a gap, but soon bulled her way through in upper stretch. Satono Reinas rallied up on her inside with less than 50 metres remaining, but Sodashi won the bob and defended her perfect record. Uberleben made a late run on the winner’s outside, but was also thwarted. Fellow late runner Meikei Yell (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) let down at the end as well, which was good for fourth, another half-length back. Yoka Yoka was a staying on fifth.

“Going into the race as favourite was a bit of a load, but I’m thrilled with the outcome,” said pilot Hayato Yoshida. “She hated to even go near the gate but I’m relieved that all went well and that we were able to be positioned just as I hoped. The going affected her good turn of foot but she gave all she had. There is room for improvement, and I hope we can get her ready for next year’s Classics.”

Sodashi first surfaced with a win in an 1800-metre juvenile newcomer race at Hakodate in July, and she progressed to land the G3 Sapporo Nisai S. in a snappy 1:48.2, a new record, on Sept. 5. In her latest effort prior to Sunday’s contest, the white filly blitzed a mile in the G3 Artemis S., covering the 1600 metres in 1:34.90.

Pedigree Notes
The sixth Group 1 winner for her former Japanese Champion 3-Year-Old sire, Sodashi was already the 18th group winner and 35th black-type winner. The four-time winner Buchiko, herself a half-sister to Japanese MSW Yukichan (Jpn) (Kurofune), was a fan favourite during her racing days partially due to her uniquely marked coat, and Sodashi is her first foal. She has a yearling full-sister to Sunday’s Hanshin Juvenile Fillies heroine and a weanling by leading Japanese freshman sire Maurice (Jpn). Yukichan is the granddam of MGSW Meikei Yell (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), while fourth dam Storm and Sunshine (Star de Naskra) won the GII Test S. and was a half-sister to GSW Smile Again (Wild Again), SW & MGSP Halo Sunshine (Halo), and SW & MGSP Montecito (Seeking the Gold).

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
HANSHIN JUVENILE FILLIES-G1, ¥125,120,000 (US$1,202,769/£909,405/€993,143), Hanshin, 12-13, 2yo, f, 1600mT, 1:33.10, fm.
1–SODASHI (JPN), 119, f, 2, Kurofune
                1st Dam: Buchiko (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
                2nd Dam: Shirayukihime (Jpn), by Sunday Silence
                3rd Dam: Wave Wind, by Topsider
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Makoto Kaneko Holdings; B-Northern
Farm (Jpn); T-Naosuke Sugai; J-Hayato Yoshida. ¥66,274,000.
Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Satono Reinas (Jpn), 119, f, 2, Deep Impact (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Balada Sale (Arg), by Not For Sale (Arg)
                2nd Dam: La Balada (Arg), by Confidential Talk
                3rd Dam: La Baraca (Arg), by Mariache II (Arg)
(¥100,000,000 Wlg ’18 JRHAJUL). O-Satomi Horse Company;
B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥26,364,000.
3–Uberleben (Jpn), 119, f, 2, Gold Ship (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Meine Theresia (Jpn), by Roses in May
                2nd Dam: Meine Nouvelle (Jpn), by Brian’s Time
                3rd Dam: Meine Pretender (NZ), by Zabeel (NZ)
O-Thoroughbred Club Ruffian; B-Big Red Farm (Jpn);
¥16,182,000.
Margins: NO, NK, HF. Odds: 2.20, 3.40, 29.00.
Also Ran: Meikei Yell (Jpn), Yoka Yoka (Jpn), Opal Moon (Jpn), Geraldina (Jpn), Salvia (Jpn), Aoi Gold (Jpn), Luxon (Jpn), A Shin Hiten (Jpn), Ringoame (Jpn), Win Aglaia (Jpn), Infinite (Jpn), Namura Meter (Jpn), Hula Liona (Jpn), Shigeru Pink Dia (Jpn), Paul Neyron (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart & video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Undefeated Sodashi Heads Hanshin Juvenile Fillies

Undefeated Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) will try to extend her winning streak in Sunday’s G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies and in the process, the likely favorite will also try to become the white-colored horse to win a Group 1 race in Japan.

“The white really stands out on grass,” said trainer Naosuke Sugai. “I think she’s turning into a real star.”

The flashy filly triumphed in her career debut at Hakodate in July before scoring over 1,800-meters in the G3 Sapporo Nisai S. Sept. 5. In her latest start, she took the G3 Artemis S. at Tokyo Oct. 31.

“We like to keep her close because she can be sensitive, but physically, she’s very solid,” said Sugai.

Sodashi’s regular rider, Hayato Yoshida, worked her in the three weeks leading up to Sunday’s 1,600-meter test and is encouraged by what he’s seen so far.

“She took the bit on her own on the straight,” Yoshida said after last week’s fast work. “She was the one leading me. She’s been sharp since the week before and I think she’ll be in similar form compared to her last race.”

In an interesting fun-fact, Yoshida is the Japanese Racing Association’s all-time leader with six wins aboard white horses.

“They’re all very sensitive and [can be] high maintenance,” he said of white horses. “You do need to be careful with them but with her, that sensitive side is bringing out the best in her. She breaks well and is super responsive when you tell her to go. She’s really smart and a very complete racehorse.”

Also looking for her fourth career victory, Meiki Yell (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), who enters of a victory in the 1,400-meter G3 Fantasy S. at Hanshin Nov. 7. A debut winner at Kokura in August, she followed up with a win in the G3 Kokura Nisai S. Sept. 6.

“The performances have been good in all three wins,” said trainer Hidenori Take. “There was an unstable side to her at one point, but ever since her last start, the appetite is there and she’s added some weight. All in all, this is the best I’ve seen her yet.”

Take is part of Japanese racing’s royal family heralded by Yutaka Take–the great jockey and the trainer’s parents are cousins. Yutaka, who has ridden Meikei Yell in her last two races, likes what he sees in the filly.

“The most important thing is she won both races. She had a hard time settling, especially in the last race. So that is an area she needs work. Your average horse though wouldn’t have won –but she did. Which speaks to a lot about her quality, her upside. She just runs really hard. But as long as she can stay under control then she has every chance. I’ve known Hide since we were kids, our parents are cousins. Would be great to win a [Group 1] race together.”

Known to be keen in the early going of her races, the filly will be asked to go 200-meters farther than her latest start.

“She has looked good in the workouts,” Hidenori Take added. “We will push her over the weekend and breeze during the week as usual. I hope practice does translate into results. She’s physically sound and a good all-round horse. She hasn’t filled out yet but I’m excited by the prospect. She’s classy and gorgeous–almost like an actress. A win here, hopefully, will really get her name out there.”

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