Tag: Horse Racing

Tastiera Bests Sol Oriens In Tragedy-Marred Tokyo Yushun

Carrot Farm's Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), who fell victim to a stinging late rush from Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Satuski Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) Apr. 16, got first run on that favoured foe in the long Tokyo straight and found the wire a neck to the good, dashing any hope for a Triple Crown for 2023. Heart's Concerto (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) was a strong third at longshot odds, but the race was marred by the death of Carrot Farm's second betting choice Skilfing (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), who suffered a cardiac event in the late stages and collapsed past the winning post.

The Derby was run at just a steady tempo, as Pax Ottomanica (Jpn) (Victoire Pisa {Jpn}) set the pace in advance of fellow outsider Ho O Biscuits (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits). Tastiera, somewhat surprisingly no better than the fourth most-fancied runner, assumed a prominent spot beneath the visiting Damian Lane after beginning a beat slowly and raced two wide and with the benefit of cover entering the back straight.

Pax Ottomanica was slipped a bit of rein and had stretched his advantage to a good half-dozen lengths passing the 1400-metre peg, but those doing the chasing were being ridden patiently, waiting for the speed to come back to them. Pax Ottomanica opened up by as many as 10 lengths entering the final three furlongs, but Tastiera was given his cue by Lane three deep off the home corner, with odds-on Sol Oriens just behind and to his left, right on his flank. Pax Ottomanica held bravely, clearly advantaged by the easy tempo, but was collared by Tastiera just inside the furlong, and although Sol Oriens was in the clear with every chance from there, the wire arrived in time for Tastiera. Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) stumbled at the start and lost jockey Ryusei Sakai.

A Trip Down Memory 'Lane'

Just 29 years old, Bunbury, Western Australia, native Damian Lane is perennially among the top riders in Victoria and is the latest big name to make a big impression on short-term contracts in Japan. Sunday's Derby marks the jockey's fifth top-level success in the country, two of which came aboard Carrot Farm's Horse of the Year Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen and G1 Arima Kinen either side of a stirring score in the 2019 G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley for Yoshito Yahagi.

The first of his 13 Japanese group victories came astride Carrot Farm's Mer de Glace (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) in the 2019 G3 Niigata Daishoten, and Lane was once again in the irons for a one-length tally in that year's G1 Caulfield Cup, a week prior to the Cox Plate. Lane's relationship with Japanese horsepeople also resulted in his landing the ride aboard Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), whom he duly piloted to take out the 2022 G2 UAE Derby. Prior to that, he won the 2017 G1 Toorak H. and G1 Mackinnon S. with the Japanese part-owned Tosen Stardom (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while he also guided Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) to salute in last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase.

Of his first Japanese Classic, Lane said: ‟It's a very special, great feeling especially for Hori Stables and Carrot Farm with whom I've had success. It was definitely the position [today], and credit to the horse–he's so versatile, he could jump quick, put himself in a good position and relax. It's just a great sense of achievement.”

Lane, who closed Sunday's card with a last-gasp success atop Heat on Beat (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in the G2 Meguro Kinen, rides Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) in next Sunday's G1 Yasuda Kinen. The duo teamed to win last year's G1 Mile Championship S.

Pedigree Notes

Tastiera is the first elite-level scorer for his sire, who was acquired in utero in a private transaction and subsequently fetched ¥58 million ($573,040) from prominent owner Hajime Satomi at the 2013 JRHA Select Sale. Also trained by Noriyuki Hori, the dark bay was third to stablemate Duramente (Jpn) in the 2015 Tokyo Yushun and recorded the first Group 1 of his career in the Longines Hong Kong Vase at the tail end of his 4-year-old season. He also annexed the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in 2017 and was retired to Shadai Stallion Station at the end of the following campaign. Satono Crown, a brother to 2011 G1 Cheveley Park Stud S. heroine Lightening Pearl (Ire), has been represented by 29 individual winners to date, including Tosen Laurier (Jpn) and Uvarovite (Jpn), each victorious at the listed stakes level.

On behalf of Shadai Farm, bloodstock agent Patrick Barbe spent $90,000 for Tastiera's Florida-bred fourth dam Crafty Wife (Crafty Prospector) at the Due Process Dispersal at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky in 1989. She was exported to Japan, was bred to Northern Taste and the result was Kyoei Forte (Jpn), a stakes-placed winner of nearly $1.5 million. Second dam Fortepiano was a full-sister to the listed-placed Sound Axis (Jpn) and foaled Partitura to the cover of 2001 Kikuka Sho hero Manhattan Cafe (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) in 2014.

Partitura is the dam of a 2-year-old filly by Bricks and Mortar, a yearling filly by 2017 Derby winner Rey de Oro (Jpn) and was most recently covered by Kitasan Black (Jpn).

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
TOKYO YUSHUN (JAPANESE DERBY)-G1, ¥609,070,000, Tokyo, 5-28, 3yo, c/f, 2400mT, 2:25.20, fm.
1–TASTIERA (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Satono Crown (Jpn)
1st Dam: Partitura (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Fortepiano (Jpn), by French Deputy
3rd Dam: Kyoei Forte (Jpn), by Northern Taste
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; T-Noriyuki Hori; J-Damian Lane; ¥327,349,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, ¥482,329,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Sol Oriens (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Skia (Fr), by Motivator (GB). O-Shadai Race Horse; B- Shadai Farm; ¥127,814,000.
3–Hearts Concerto (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Nasuno Sibelius, by Unbridled's Song. O-Green Farm; B-Hashimoto Farm; ¥78,907,000.
Margins: NK, NO, NO. Odds: 7.30, 0.80, 24.60.
Also Ran: Bellagio Opera (Jpn), Nocking Point (Jpn), Ho O Biscuits (Jpn), Season Rich (Jpn), Phantom Thief (Jpn), Shazzan (Jpn), Hrimfaxi (Jpn), Satono Glanz (Jpn), Metal Speed (Jpn), Pax Ottomanica (Jpn), Top Knife (Jpn), Gruner Green (Jpn), Shonan Bashitto (Jpn), Skilfing (Jpn). DNF: Dura Erede (Jpn) (lost rider). Click for the JRA chart.

 

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Tapit Trice, Il Miracolo Work Towards Belmont

'TDN Rising Star' Tapit Trice (Tapit), a latest seventh to Mage (Good Magic) in the GI Kentucky Derby May 6, went five furlongs in 1:00.22 over a fast Belmont main track Friday morning in his penultimate work ahead of the GI Belmont S. at Big Sandy June 10. He galloped out three-quarters of a mile in a strong 1:12.60 and was up seven furlongs in 1:25.

“Super breeze, big gallop out,” trainer Todd Pletcher said following the work. “He seems to really like the main track here. I'm very, very happy with the way he's been training. He hasn't missed a beat since the Derby. He's settled in well. He's been galloping over the main track. He had a breeze last week [half-mile in :49.04 May 19] and a more serious breeze today. It was a major piece of work today, we'll come back for a maintenance- type breeze next week. We always thought the mile and a half would suit him.”

A win would make Tapit Trice the fifth son of Tapit to take the Belmont, adding to the previous successes of Tonalist (2014), Creator (2016), Tapwrit (2017) and Essential Quality (2021). Pletcher likes the colt's chances of seeing out the 12 furlongs.

“He's out of a Dunkirk (Unbridled's Song) mare who I trained and ran second [to Summer Bird] in the [2009] Belmont. From a pedigree standpoint, you would think he's capable,” Pletcher said. “He's got that big, long galloping stride. I think the main thing is making sure that he gets into that comfortable rhythm and doesn't give himself too much to do early on. The Belmont is not necessarily a closer's race, but it seems like he's really coming up to it the right way.”

Would-be Derby favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' Forte (Violence) and Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo) were scheduled to breeze Friday, but the former will now work Saturday morning at 8:45. Pletcher was unsure when Kingsbarns would return to the tab.

“He's got a little bit of a bellyache today, so we weren't able to breeze him,” Pletcher said of Kingsbarns.

At Gulfstream Park Friday morning, trainer Antonio Sano sent out Il Miracolo (Gun Runner) for a five-furlong move over a sloppy main track that was clocked in 1:01.06.

“He had a very good work. He leaves for Belmont next Saturday,” Sano said. “It's a very strong race and the horse is a little green right now, but I hope he can run well and run a strong race.”

Sixth and well-beaten behind Forte in the GII Fountain of Youth S. and again in the GI Curlin Florida Derby, Il Miracolo was the wire-to-wire winner of a one-mile allowance/optional claimer at Gulfstream May 11.

 

 

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Doppelganger On Target For Met Mile

Doppelganger (Into Mischief), last seen recording a 17-1 upset over Repo Rocks (Tapiture) in the GI Carter H. at Aqueduct Apr. 8, remains on target for a rematch with that foe in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. at Belmont Park June 10.

The $570,000 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase purchase has registered his three most recent works over the Laurel main track, including a best-of-12 five furlongs that was timed in 1:01.60 May 24.

“Since the Carter, he's quite sharp,” trainer Brittany Russell said. “He thinks he's a bear. Each race, each win, he seems to get higher on himself.”

Though Russell says that connections contemplated a start in the GIII Pimlico Special S. going a mile and three-sixteenths, the decision has been made to continue to race the colt over shorter trips.

“We were thinking Special, but if we want[ed] Special we were going to kill the idea of the Met Mile. If he's a Grade I horse and he's going to be a better miler, that's the way we've got to go,” she said. “We need to pick a path and stay with it and we feel like one turn right now is probably the best way to go. Yes, it's going to be tough up there but as good as he's doing, we're going to take a big swing.”

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Tampa Steward Lima Passes Away

The racing community at Tampa Bay Downs is mourning the loss of former association steward Dennis Lima, who passed away Wednesday, May 24, at the age of 77.

“He was somebody you could always talk to, and you could trust him to give you good advice,” said Tampa Bay Downs racing official Jenn Moore. “And he treated everybody equally. He was so down to earth and never got riled up. [His passing] is just a huge loss for everybody.”

Some 60 years ago, Lima rode a train from Rhode Island with a shipment of horses bound for Tampa Bay Downs, then called Sunshine Park, and the barn of trainer Doc Canzano. After returning north in 1964, Lima trained horses in New England, was an assistant to Ned Allard and also worked as a jockey's agent. Lima worked on the Massachusetts fair circuit and at Suffolk Downs and at Rockingham Park as a paddock judge, placing judge and entry clerk. He was named an alternate steward at those tracks in 1987 and became a full-time steward three years later. He remained in that role at Rockingham from 1990 until the track's closure in 2002.

Lima was hired to work at Tampa in 1993 as an Association Steward and also worked as a State Steward at Delaware Park from 2003-2021.

“The most important thing is to be as fair and consistent as possible with our rulings and our judgment calls during the races,” Lima told a reporter 10 yeards ago. “For me, the most rewarding aspect of this job is when you finish a meet knowing you have done your part to keep it as safe as you can for the horses and the jockeys.”

During his time at Tampa, Lima struck up a friendship with former track announcer Richard Grunder, whose box was adjacent the stewards'.

“He was a very even-tempered guy who handled himself the same with all types of people, from grooms to Hall of Fame trainers,” Grunder said. “He had the perfect personality to be a steward. He read the films really good, knew the job inside-out and any tough situations that came up, he would take the reins and make the call. I've been in press boxes from the Pacific Northwest to Florida, and he was one of the best I've ever worked with.

“Plus, he was just a fun guy to be around. He was a witty, old New England son of a gun.”

Lima is survived by his wife, Celeste; their children, Monique and Shaun; several grandchildren; and a son, Dennis E. Lima. He was predeceased by a daughter, Melissa. Per his wishes, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760.

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