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Classic Heroine Even So Sold to Japan

Classic winner Even So (Ire) (Camelot {GB}-Breeze Hill {Ire}, by Danehill), has been sold by Coolmore to Japan for broodmare duties, Irishracing.com reported on Saturday.

Lyons's brother and assistant Shane Lyons told Irishracing.com, “Even So has gone breeding and has been sold to Japan. She was an absolute lady, had a beautiful Dr Devious-pedigree so hopefully she does well over in Japan for her new connections.

“She was a superstar and to win a Classic on home soil, you couldn't get any higher. It's what dreams are made of and she served us well.”

The April foal was bred by Lynch Bages in Ireland and, sent to trainer Ger Lyons, saluted in the 2020 G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks last July. She also won the Listed Naas Oaks Trial earlier that month and was third in the G3 Park Express S. Owned by Mrs. John Magnier and Mrs. Paul Shanahan, she retires with a record of 8-3-0-2 and $231,791 in earnings.

Even So is the star foal out of her dam, who won in New Zealand as a 4-year-old. Breeze Hill is a half-sister to Irish champion sprinter Archway (Ire) (Thatching {Ire}), English highweight Dr Devious (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}), who won the G1 Derby, G1 Dewhurst S., and G1 Champion S. and was runner-up in the G1 Irish Derby, the GSW Royal Court (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and the SW & GSP Shinko King (Ire) (Fairy King). Another half-sister produced English highweight, G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 German Oaks heroine Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehil Dancer {Ire}). This is also the family of G1 2000 Guineas hero Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen victor Suzuka Phoenix (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) and G1 Emirates S. winner Awesome Rock (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}).

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Triple Crown Winner Returns In Loaded Osaka Hai

A field of 13–including a half-dozen by the legendary Deep Impact (Jpn)–will face the starter for a cracking renewal of the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) Sunday at Hanshin Racecourse, led by the late stallion's 2020 Triple Crown hero Contrail (Jpn).

Raced by Shinji Maeda and bred by the family's North Hills Co. Ltd., the son of Rhodochrosite (Unbridled's Song) built on an undefeated 2-year-old season with four on the bounce last term, defeating Salios (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (2000m) in April and more soundly in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (2400m) the following month. The hasslefree winner of the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai fresh up in September, he completed a sweep of the Triple Crown in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger)–albeit narrowly–over a 3000-metre trip that surely stretched him and tasted defeat for the first time when a clear runner-up to Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in November's G1 Japan Cup (2400m).

“His workload has been good and things have gone as expected with him,” assistant trainer Shigeki Miyauchi commented. “There has been nothing to worry about, and the race distance of 2,000 metres will be just right for him. I'm sure if he gets to run his true race, he'll get a good result.”

Salios, runner-up to Contrail for champion 2-year-old honours in 2019, bounced back from his Derby defeat to easily win the G2 Mainichi Okan in October and was last seen running fifth in the G1 Mile Championship at Kyoto in November.

The winner of the latter event was Gran Alegria (Jpn), a Deep Impact daughter of American multiple Grade I winner Tapitsfly (Tapit), who was adding that event to her barnstorming tally in the G1 Sprinters' S. the month prior. An easy choice for champion sprinter/miler, she stretches out to 10 furlongs for the first time and Christophe Lemaire will try to make best use of her stinging turn of foot in the final stages.

“She's an easy horse to ride, can settle well in a race, and I know what I have to do with her,” the French ex-pat said. “Even though it's her first time at 2,000 meters, I'm sure she'll put in a big run. Speed is also needed over the inner turf course.”

Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is perfect and untested from her five career starts and gets the litmus test Sunday. The Carrot Farm runner made her most recent appearance over this track and distance, accounting for the re-opposing Bravas (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in the G3 Challenge Cup in December.

Persian Knight (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) is winless in over three years, but was runner-up in this event in 2018, is drawn well and can outrun longshot odds if he gets his preferred quick conditions underfoot.

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God Selection Too Strong In Final Derby Points Race

Prominent every step of the 1800-meter journey despite a somewhat awkward draw, God Selection (Jpn) (Novellist {Ire}) took command in the straight and drew clear to win Saturday's Fukuryu S. (allowance) at Nakayama, earning 40 points on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby in the process.

Ridden for speed from the 13 hole in a field of 14, God Selection was down into the two path and prompted the pace from second as Lord Strom (Jpn) (Makfi {GB}) galloped them along. Ridden cold on the turn and into the final quarter-mile, God Selection put a couple of lengths on his rivals when asked to sprint in upper stretch and proved easily best, as market leaders Meisho Murakaumo (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) and favored Gold Higher (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) ran on for minor prizes.

God Selection, a maternal grandson of 2007 champion Japanese older mare Koiuta (Jpn) (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}), was winning for the third time in five career starts and was exiting an eight-length allowance score at Chukyo Feb. 7.

The victory earns the connections of God Selection a guaranteed berth in the May 1 Kentucky Derby, but he was not an original nominee to the Triple Crown and would need to be supplemented. Should they decline the invitation, the offer would be extended, in order, to the connections of the three next-highest points-getters. Currently second on 30 points is La Perouse (Jpn) (Pelusa {Jpn}), who was among the early entries for the Triple Crown.

Saturday's Results:
FUKURYU S. (Allowance), ¥34,620,000 ($315,808), Nakayama, 3-27, 3yo, 1800m, 1:52.1, ft.
1–GOD SELECTION (JPN), 123, c, 3, Novellist (Ire)–Ultimate Love (Jpn), by Symboli Kris S. O-Hiroyuki Kawakatsu; B-Shadai Farm; T-Teiichi Konno; J-Yuji Nakai; ¥18,294,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-1, ¥33,236,000.
2–Meisho Murakumo (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Neo Universe (Jpn)–North Pastoral (Jpn), by King Halo (Jpn). (¥3,564,000 Ylg '19 HOKSUM). ¥7,284,000.
3–Gold Higher (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Henny Hughes–Gold Glory (Jpn), by Harbinger (GB). ¥4,542,000.
Margins: 3, NK, 2HF. Odds: 14.20, 3.60, 3.20.

WATCH: God Selection overcomes gate 13 in the Fukuryu S.

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Danon Smash Returns In Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Danon Co. Ltd.'s Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) makes a much-awaited 6-year-old debut in Sunday's G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo Racecourse, as he goes in search of a top-level victory on home soil.

The son of Spinning Wildcat (Hard Spun), whose sire won this event back in 2013 for trainer Takayuki Yasuda, was only 10th behind the promoted Mozu Superflare (Speightstown) in last year's yielding-turf renewal, but would go on to win a pair of races at group level before finishing second to the outstanding Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Sprinters' S. in October. No better than a 21-1 chance to follow in his sire's hoofprints in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, Danon Smash was given an outstanding ride by Ryan Moore from a double-digit gate and came home a half-length winner. His return to action could be thwarted by Mother Nature, however.

“The weather is what concerns me,” Yasuda admitted. “He's in very good shape. The older he gets the stronger he gets. The weather forecast calls for rain over the weekend and I don't think that will be a help. It's supposed to be good through Saturday though, so I'm hoping there won't be enough rain to make the track any heavier than slightly heavy.”

Resistencia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), champion of her generation in 2019, was second to Filly Triple Crown winner Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) in the 2020 G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) and was runner-up to Lauda Sion (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}) facing the boys in the G1 NHK Mile Cup. She made a smashing seasonal debut in the Feb. 28 G3 Hankyu Hai, defeating Mikki Brillante (Jpn) (Deep Brillante {Jpn}) by two lengths while running the 1400 metres in a slick 1:19.20. She tries six furlongs for the first time Sunday.

Indy Champ (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) is a two-time Group 1-winning miler, but has made his two most recent appearances over the metric seven furlongs, finishing third to the mares Danon Fantasy (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Maltese Diosa (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G2 Hanshin Cup in late December ahead of a fourth behind Resistencia last time. The trip is also a question mark for him.

Mozu Superflare, who makes her third straight appearance in this race, crossed the line a nose second in 2020, only to be awarded the race by the stewards. A low-odds 10th in the Sprinters' S., she faded to finish last but one in the G3 Silk Road S. Jan. 31, but should lead them a long way from gate four this weekend.

WATCH: Danon Sprint overcomes a bad gate to win the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint

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