Tag: Japanese 2000 Guineas

Sixpence Dominates Satsuki Sho Trial

In an electrifying display through the late stages, Sixpence (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) overwhelmed nine other rivals and proclaimed himself as one to watch for the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas), dominating the G2 Fuji TV Sho Spring S. on Sunday at Nakayama.

Jumping well and close to the pacesetters, Sixpence tucked in neatly behind Allegro Brillante (Jpn) (Deep Brillante {Jpn}) and that one's closest pursuer Cosmo Buddleja (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) as the pair showed the way. The placings remained consistent until the field passed the 800 metre mark with closers beginning their march from the rear and Sixpence was launching his own rally coming off the bend.

Looming the danger with 400 metres left, Christophe Lemaire asked and his charge responded, leaving long-time leader Allegro Brillante in his wake under the mildest of hand rides. The advantage extended with 200 metres left in the running and the gap back to the game pacesetter was 3 1/2 lengths on the wire. Lucullan Feast (Jpn) (Isla Bonita {Jpn}) came out best of the scramble for the minors, nosing out Channel Tunnel (Jpn) (Greater London {Jpn}) for the last trifecta spot.

 

Pedigree Note
The lone offspring to race for American Grade I-winner Finley'sluckycharm (Twirling Candy) thus far, Sixpence is the newest Classic contender for sire Kizuna (Jpn), who himself was the Japanese champion 3-year-old colt as well as a Classic winner in France and Japan. Among the stallion's best runners are dual champion Songline (Jpn), who twice claimed the G1 Yasuda Kinen, and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup victrex Akai Ito (Jpn).

On his female line side, the busiest activity is found deep in the pedigree via the dam Gather the Clan (Ire), who is responsible for GISW Pure Clan (Pure Prize). That mare would later go on to produce SW & GISP Princesa Carolina (Tapit), who set a course-record en route to her victory in the Fifth Third Insurance Dueling Grounds Oaks. She is not the only runner with a wicked turn of foot as Pure Clan's half-brother MGSW Greater Good set a new track-record beneath the fabled twin spires of Churchill Downs.

Since changing hands to Katsumi Yoshida for $1.5-million in 2018 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale, Finley'sluckycharm has produced two of racing age, but Sixpence is the first to make it to the races. She does have a 2-year-old colt by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) named Field Note (Jpn). Her 2023 Orfevre (Jpn) foal was stillborn.

Sunday, Nakayama, Japan
FUJI TV SHO SPRING STAKES-G2, ¥104,580,000, Nakayama, 3-17, 3yo, 1800mT, 1:49.40, fm.
1–SIXPENCE (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Kizuna (Jpn)
           1st Dam: Finley'sluckycharm (GISW, $928,068), by Twirling Candy
           2nd Dam: Day of Victory, by Victory Gallop
           3rd Dam: Gather the Day, by Dayjur
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; T-Sakae Kunieda; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥54,756,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, ¥72,873,000. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Allegro Brillante (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Deep Brillante (Jpn)–Centenary (Jpn), by French Deputy. 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥22,216,000.
3–Lucullan Feast (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Isla Bonita (Jpn)–Gorgeous Lunch (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. O-Shadai Race Horse; B- Shadai Farm; ¥14,108,000.
Margins: 3HF, 1, NO; Odds: 1.90, 24.30, 6.30.
Also Ran: Channel Tunnel (Jpn), Cosmo Buddleja (Jpn), Stinger Glass (Jpn), Pellegrini (Jpn), Lograr (Jpn), Water Licht (Jpn), Jun Gold (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video.

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Sol Oriens A Rising Star For Kitasan Black in Satsuki Sho

Just days after his first-crop son Equinox (Jpn) was named the world's highest-rated racehorse for his stunning victory in last month's G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, successful young stallion Kitasan Black (Jpn) was represented by his first Japanese Classic winner when Sol Oriens (Jpn) came from a near-impossible position 400 metres from home to take Sunday's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) by a widening 1 1/4 lengths. Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) led into the final furlong, but was swamped late on, while favoured Phantom Thief (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) won a photo for third.

Void of speed from the inside gate, the 21-5 second-elect drifted right back through the field and was guided a few paths off the rail to race fourth-last and three wide into the first bend as Granite (Jpn) (Danon Ballade {Jpn}) set what appeared to be solid fractions in the wet ground. Patiently handled down the back and up the rise approaching the 800-metre peg, Sol Oriens was shuffled back and raced last but one and a good 12 lengths off the lead on the second turn.

Moving nearly laterally when awkwardly switching his legs nearing the straight, Sol Oriens was steered out 10 or 11 wide and whooshed home down the soundest part of the racing surface to win in highly impressive fashion, while again swapping his leads in the final stages. His final three furlongs were covered in :35.5, remarkable given the underfoot conditions, and 0.9 seconds faster than any of his rivals. Tastiera also rallied well off the inside, while Phantom Thief was mostly one-paced in third.

Sol Oriens becomes the first horse in 80 years to win the Guineas with as few as two previous starts.

“He's still very green, especially at the turns, with only a short career coming into this race, but as he's already shown in his

previous start, I know first hand the power and speed which this colt possesses,” said winning jockey Takeshi Yokoyama, who piloted Efforia (Jpn) ( Epiphaneia {Jpn}) to win this race in 2021. “So, while we had a lot of ground to cover from way behind, I knew that if I could keep him in good rhythm up to the straight, he would be able to show his full potential to win this race.”

The Classic series continues with the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (2400 metres) at the headquarters of Japanese racing May 28.

Pedigree Notes:

While there were no members of the final crop of Deep Impact (Jpn) in the Satsuki Sho, there is something of a connection to the legendary sire, as Kitasan Black is a son of Deep Impact's year-younger full-brother Black Tide (Jpn).

A popular and accomplished galloper in his own right, Kitasan Black won 12 of his 20 career appearances, including the 2015 G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger), back-to-back renewals of the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring), a G1 Japan Cup and a career-closing victory in the G1 Arima Kinen. Now the sire of two elite-level scorers, the 11-year-old Shadai resident is also responsible for Group 2 winner Gaia Force (Jpn) from his first crop and for the Group 3-winning 3-year-old filly Ravel (Jpn).

Sol Oriens's dam was the upset winner of the 2011 G3 Prix Fille de l'Air for Carlos Laffon-Parias and was purchased by bloodstock agent Patrick Barbe for €320,000 in foal to Leroidesanimaux (Brz) from the Haras du Quesnay draft at the 2014 Arqana December Sale. Her second foal became the newly retired Vin de Garde (Jpn), a Group 2 winner at home and second and third, respectively, in the G1 Dubai Turf in 2021 and 2022. Skia's half-brother Tropaios (GB) (Excellent Art {GB}) was a listed winner in France for Laffon-Parias and went on to become a standout for the China Horse Club and trainer Michael Freedman in Singapore, where he was victorious in the Singapore Gold Cup. Motivator is also the broodmare sire of treble Japanese Group 1 winner and champion older horse Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}).

Skia is the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Deep Impact's son Kizuna (Jpn) and is due to Epiphaneia (Jpn) for her 2023 produce.

 

 

Sunday, Nakayama, Japan
SATSUKI SHO (JAPANESE 2000 GUINEAS)-G1, ¥ 416,260,000, Nakayama, 4-16, 3yo, c/f, 2000mT, 2:00.60, yl.
1—SOL ORIENS (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Kitasan Black (Jpn)
1st Dam: Skia (Fr) (GSW-Fr, $163,904), by Motivator (GB)
2nd Dam: Light Quest, by Quest For Fame (GB)
3rd Dam: Gleam of Light (Ire), by Danehill
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Shadai Race Horse; B- Shadai Farm; T-Takahisa Tezuka; J-Takeshi Yokoyama; ¥225,382,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, ¥272,697,000. *1/2 to Vin de Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, MG1SP-UAE, $2,792,422. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com pedigree.
2–Tastiera (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Satono Crown (Jpn)–Partitura (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; ¥87,252,000.
3–Phantom Thief (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Harbinger (GB)–Lupin, by Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O-Turf Sport Inc; B-Tanikawa Farm; ¥53,626,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 3/4, HD. Odds: 4.20, 8.00, 2.80.
Also Ran: Metal Speed (Jpn), Shonan Bashitto (Jpn), Shazzan (Jpn), Top Knife (Jpn), Win Odin (Jpn), Hrimfaxi (Jpn), Bellagio Opera (Jpn), Gruner Green (Jpn), Granite (Jpn), Touch Wood (Jpn), Meiner Laulea (Jpn), One Direct (Jpn), Ras Hammel (Jpn), Ho O Biscuits (Jpn), Danon Touchdown (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart.

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Sol Oriens Goes For Three Straight In ‘Impact’-Free Satsuki Sho

For the first time in what seems a lifetime–13 years, to be precise–no 3-year-old son of Deep Impact (Jpn) heads to the gate for the opening leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) at Nakayama Racecourse. But the 2000-metre affair does not lack for intrigue, as a typically full field of 18 is set to face the starter Sunday afternoon.

Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) could continue a magical roll for his sire–who is also responsible for the world's top-rated runner Equinox (Jpn)–and should sit a cosy trip from barrier one for Takeshi Yokoyama. A veteran of just two well-spaced starts, the half-brother to the newly retired Vin de Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) annexed a newcomers' event going Tokyo's one-turn mile last November and in his lone racetrack appearance since, overcame a bit of greenness to stamp his authority on the Jan. 15 G3 Keisei Hai over this course and distance.

“His cornering has become a lot smoother after the fitting of a ring bit, and he looks to be more mature compared to before, as well as easier to ride,” said trainer Takahisa Tezuka. “In his last two races, the pace was quite slow. He's a horse with ability, and I think the pace will be quicker this time, but I'm confident he can run a good race with the potential he has and the condition he's in.”

 

 

 

Phantom Thief (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) has tasted defeat just once in his career when finishing a slow-starting fourth to Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and Top Knife (Jpn) (Declaration of War) in the 10-furlong G1 Hopeful S. at this venue back in December. He atoned for that effort when outfinishing Touch Wood (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the G3 Kyodo News Hai at Tokyo Feb. 12.

“The horse is in top condition and has finished off strongly in training,” said jockey Christophe Lemaire. “His balance is good and he doesn't feel heavy at all. If he starts like he did last time, things will be fine, and I'm looking forward to this Grade 1 with him.”

Yuga Kawada rode four of Sunday's entrants in their most recent races and he elects to stick with Danon Touchdown (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) for the Guineas. A first-out winner over a mile at Chukyo last October, the half-brother to 2020 Hopeful S. winner Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) was narrowly beaten in his last two, including the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity last December. A horse that seems to take some time to hit top gear, he should appreciate stretching out to the 2000 metres for the first time.

Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is three-for-three lifetime, having come through the grades prior to handing the re-opposing Ho O Biscuits (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) a 1 1/4-length beating in the G2 Spring S. going nine furlongs over this course Mar. 19.

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Geoglyph Leaves Mark in Satsuki Sho

Sunday Racing's Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong) closed from off the pace to annex Sunday's G1 Satsuki Sho, the first leg in Japan's Triple Crown. The victory marked the first win top-level win for both Geoglyph and his trainer, Tetsuya Kimura.

Ask Victor More (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) soon went to the front as Geoglyph–in tandem with Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn})–traveled on the heels of stablemate Equinox (Jpn) (Kitisan Black {Jpn}) mid-pack. Fanned out a few paths wide turning for home, the colt battled for supremacy with the early pacesetter in the final furlong, dug in to overtake his stablemate, gaining a short advantage late en route to a one-length success over Equinox with favored Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn), last season's champion juvenile in Japan, 1 1/4-lengths back in third.

“His start was good and we were able to sit in an ideal position which was crucial in winning today,” said winning rider Yuichi Fukunaga, who also won the Japanese 2000 Guineas with Contrail (Jpn) in 2020. “I already knew that he was in good form when I rode him during workouts and had every belief that, although the colt was fifth pick, he was capable of winning. The colt has the strength to sustain his speed, so I geared him wide launching an early bid before the fourth corner. I'm just glad I was able to do my job. In the upcoming Derby, we'll have to see if he can handle the 400-meter added distance.”

After debuting in June last year, Geoglyph notched two consecutive wins including the G3 Sapporo Nisai S. and capped off his 2-year-old season with a fifth in the G1 Asahi Hai

Futurity S. in December. In his sole prior start this term, he finished runner-up behind Danon Beluga in the G3 Kyodo News Hai Feb. 13.

Pedigree Notes:
Sunday's Classic victory marked the first Group 1 score for U.S. Sprint Champion Drefong, winner of a trio of Grade I races, including the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Geoglyph represents the Japanese-based stallion's first crop of sophomores.

Geoglyph's dam, listed scorer and multiple Group 1-placed Aromatico, is also responsible for a pair of minor winners–Albilia (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) and Copacati (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}).

Sunday, Nakayama, Japan
SATSUKI SHO (JAPANESE 2000 GUINEAS)-G1, ¥320,750,000, Nakayama, 4-17, 3yo, 2000mT, 1:59.70, fm.
1–GEOGLYPH (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Drefong
1st Dam: Aromatico (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Nasca (Jpn), by Sunday Silence
3rd Dam: Andes Lady (Jpn), by Northern Taste
O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Tetsuya Kimura; J-Yuichi
Fukunaga; ¥174,325,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0. *First Group 1 winner for sire (by Gio Ponti).
2–Equinox (Jpn), 126, c, 3, by Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Chateau
Blanche (Jpn), by King Halo (Jpn). O-Silk Racing; B-Northern
Farm; ¥66,950,000.
3–Do Deuce (Jpn), 126, c, 3, by Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Dust and
Diamonds, by Vindication. O-Kieffers Inc.; B-Northern Farm;
¥41,475,000.
Margins: 3, NK, NK; Odds: 8.10, 4.70, 2.90.
Also Ran: Danon Beluga (Jpn), Ask Victore More (Jpn), Onyankopon (Jpn), Justin Rock (Jpn), Lagulf (Jpn), Justin Palace (Jpn), Dante's View (Jpn), Be Astonished (Jpn), Matenro Leo (Jpn), Killer Ability (Jpn), Born This Way (Jpn), Grand Line (Jpn), Tosen Vanno (Jpn).

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