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Gran Exit For Alegria in Mile Championship

Japanese champion Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) signed off her career with her second consecutive G1 Mile Championship victory, her sixth top-level score, at Hanshin on Sunday. She is the first horse to win back-to-back Mile Championships since Daiwa Major (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) in 2006/07.

Tabbed the heavy favourite at 70 cents on the dollar, the 5-year-old mare was content to race near the rear of the field as Ho O Amazon (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) sped through fractions of :23.70 and :47.60. Jockey Christophe Lemaire had a ton of horse under him at all points in the race, and steered Gran Alegria out widest of all as the field entered the straight. Asked for her run, she responded under confident handling and steamed home to win easily by three-quarters of a length as much the best. Group 1 winner Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) closed from midpack to report home second, a half-length to the good of Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}).

“I am relieved and happy,” said Lemaire, who was winning his 40th Japan Racing Association Group 1 and 1,500th race in the JRA's jurisdiction. The most important mission for me in her last run of her career was to bring out the best performance, her true form and she did just that. We were positioned a little further back but it didn't worry me much and she has this really good finishing speed at the stretch like she showed today.

“She's been a special horse since a 2-year-old, winning all those big races and today she showed us again that she's of a different class. I will miss her.”

A group winner at two and third in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. against males in December of 2018, Gran Alegria made just three starts at three, taking the G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas in the spring and the G2 Hanshin Cup at the end of the year and was named Japanese Champion 3-Year-Old Filly. At four, Gran Alegria won three of her four appearances, starting with a second in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March. She ended her year with three straight Group 1 wins-the June 7 Yasuda Kinen, Oct. 4 Sprinters S. and Nov. 22 Mile Championship en route to year-end honours as the Japanese Champion Sprinter/Miler. In 2021, she returned with a fourth in the Apr. 4 G1 Osaka Hai, prior to a victory in the G1 Victoria Mile on May 16. Second defending her Yasuda Kinen title in June, she ran third in the 2000-metre G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) on Oct. 31.

Pedigree Notes
Gran Alegria is, in terms of Group 1 wins, the second most decorated progeny of the late Deep Impact (Jpn) after Gentildonna (Jpn), who has 53 Group 1 winners in total. The Northern Farm-bred is among his 179 worldwide black-type winners and 144 group winners. Tapit's broodmare sire career is going from strength to strength, and he also has the listed stakes winner and Group 3 placed Arusha (Jpn) by Deep Impact. Fifty-three progeny out of his daughters have won a black-type race, 24 of them are group winners and his very best so far has been the Mile Championship heroine from his seven Group 1 scorers.

The first reported foal out of the dual Grade I-winning turf star Tapitsfly, who also won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf back when it was a listed race, Gran Alegria has a winning 4-year-old full-brother named Blutgang (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Her dam sold for $1,850,000 to Katsumi Yoshida out of the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2012. Tapitsfly's full-sister Flying Tipat (Tapit) was stakes placed at Indiana Downs, while the fourth dam, the winning Pink Dove (Argument {Fr}) was a half-sister to the 1990 GI Arlington Million hero Golden Pheasant (Caro {Ire}), who also took the Japan Cup in 1991.

Other half-siblings to Pink Dove are Group/Grade 3 winners Seewillo (Pleasant Colony), and Trial By Error (Caro {Ire}). At stud, Pink Dove foaled two stakes winners-Moonshine Hall (Spinning World), third in the GIII Toronto Cup H. and Malli Star (Baldski), a dual stakes winner and runner-up in the GI Del Mar Invitational Oaks. The latter went on to produce Japanese stakes winner Bella Rheia (Jpn) (Narita Top Road {Jpn}), Classic-placed and third in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup.

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
MILE CHAMPIONSHIP-G1, ¥252,920,000, Hanshin, 11-20, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:32.60, fm.
1–GRAN ALEGRIA (JPN), 121, m, 5, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Tapitsfly (MGISW-US, $1,495,503), by Tapit
                2nd Dam: Flying Marlin, by Marlin
                3rd Dam: Morning Dove, by Fortunate Prospect
O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Kazuo Fujisawa;
J-Christophe Lemaire. ¥133,444,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 3yo
Filly-Jpn, Ch. Sprinter-Jpn, Ch. Miler-Jpn, 15-9-2-2. Werk Nick
   Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Schnell Meister (Ger), 123, c, 3, Kingman (GB)–Serienholde
(Ger), by Soldier Hollow (GB). O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern
Farm (Jpn); ¥52,984,000.
3–Danon the Kid (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Just a Way (Jpn)–Epic Love
(Ire), by Dansili (GB). (¥100,000,000 Wlg '18 JRHAJUL).
O-Danox Inc.; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥33,494,000.
Margins: 3/4, HF, NO. Odds: 0.70, 3.60, 15.10.
Also Ran: Indy Champ (Jpn), Ho O Amazon (Jpn), Salios (Jpn), Darlington Hall (GB), Soind Chiara (Jpn), Catedral (Jpn), Cadence Call (Jpn), Rainbow Flag (Jpn), Lotus Land, Grenadier Guards (Jpn), Kurino Gaudi (Jpn), Ripresa (Jpn), Sound Kanaloa (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart & video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Efforia Earns Landmark Win in Tenno Sho Autumn

In what would become the battle of the favorites, Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) proved best on the day, winning Sunday's G1 Tenno Sho Autumn at Tokyo. With the victory in the 2000-meter test, the colt became the first 3-year-old to win the race since Symboli Kris S won the event in 2002. Sent off as the third betting choice, Efforia settled in a comfortable sixth early as longshot Kaiser Minoru (Jpn) led the way while second choice Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and an overly-eager Tosu Surya (Jpn) (Lohengrin) were in close pursuit. Still coasting in behind horses as Gran Alegria collared the stubborn Kaiser Minoru and gradually inched ahead in early stretch, the third choice closed with purpose down the center of the course, and despite favored Contrail (Jpn)'s (Deep Impact {Jpn}) best effort to the extreme outside late, it was the sophomore who held a length advantage over 2020 Triple Crown hero Contrail with champion last season's champion sprinter/miler Gran Alegria a neck back in third.

“We were able to race in an ideal position and I didn't insist on the inner course as I knew that he can handle it even if we had to turn a little wider. While the COVID-19 crisis is still lingering, the number of spectators is gradually increasing and I am grateful that we were able to win the race in front of many fans,” commented Takeshi Yokoyama.

Winner of this season's G3 Kyodo News Hai over 1,800 meters in February, the bay returned to annex his fourth consecutive score in the 2,000-meter G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) in April. In his most recent start, he faced loss for the first time, finishing second in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in May.

“I cried with joy for the first time in my life, as I was very disappointed following the result of the Derby [last time], admitted Yokoyama. “He's a talented and smart horse, so I decided to believe in his ability and ride him without thinking too much.”

Out of the Heart's Cry (Jpn) mare Katies Heart (Jpn), the colt is trained by Yuichi Shikato, who was capturing his third JRA Group 1 title of the season. With the victory in Sunday's Tenno Sho (Autumn), Takeshi Yokoyama became the third generation horseman to win the race, his grandfather and former jockey Tomio, who won the title in 1969 and his father and active jockey Norihiro, who accomplished the feat in 2009.

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
TENNO SHO AUTUMN-G1, ¥290,800,000, Tokyo, 10-31, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:57.90, fm.
1–EFFORIA (JPN), 123, c, 3, Epiphaneia (Jpn)
1st Dam: Katies Heart (Jpn), by Heart's Cry (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Katies First, by Kris (GB)
3rd Dam: Katies (Ire), by Nonoalco
O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; T-Yuichi Shikato; J-Takeshi
Yokoyama; ¥153,360,000. Lifetime Record: 6-5-1-0. Click for
the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*
2–Contrail (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Deep Impact(Jpn)–Rhodochrosite, by
Unbridled's Song. O-Shinji Maeda; B-North Hills; ¥60,960,000.
3–Gran Alegria (Jpn), 123, m, 5, by Deep Impact (Jpn)–Tapitsfly,
by Tapit. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥38,480,000.
Margins: 1, NK, 1 3/4; Odds: 2.40, 1.50, 1.80.
Also Ran: Sanrei Pocket (Jpn), Hishi Iguazu (Jpn), Potager (Jpn), Persian Knight (Jpn), Last Draft (Jpn), You Can Smile (Jpn), Muito Obrigado (Jpn), World Premiere (Jpn), Curren Bouquetd'or (Jpn), Mozu Bello (Jpn), Kaiser Minoru (Jpn), Tosen Surya (Jpn), Cadenas (Jpn).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Click for the JRA chart and video.

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The Friday Show Presented By Woodbine: Japan’s Strength In Numbers

French-based Karakontie scored a breakthrough victory in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile in 2014, becoming the first horse bred in Japan to win a championship day race. There is yet to be a Breeders' Cup victory by a horse trained in Japan, though Japanese horsemen have successfully sent runners to Europe, Dubai, Hong Kong, Australia and the U.S. for Grade 1 triumphs.

In this week's edition of the Friday Show, Kate Hunter – Breeders' Cup field representative in Japan – joins Ray Paulick and bloodstock editor Joe Nevills to talk about the seven Japanese horses expected to participate this year – the largest group ever. (An eighth Japanese runner, Jasper Krone, has been withdrawn.)

Hunter points out that Hideyuki Mori, arguably the most internationally minded Japanese trainer, is leading by example, having sent over the most horses and demonstrating – while yet to win a Breeders' Cup race – that it is well worth trying. Mori has been testing the international waters all the way back to 1995, when he sent Ski Captain from Japan for a run in the Kentucky Derby. Mori will have four entered this year.

Is the year for a Japanese victory? “If you consider that horse racing is a numbers game, we've got the numbers this year,” Hunter said. “I hope it goes in our favor.”

Watch this week's Friday Show, presented by Woodbine, below:

The post The Friday Show Presented By Woodbine: Japan’s Strength In Numbers appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Deep Impact Filly Emulates Dam in Shuka Sho

The G1 Shuka Sho had been billed as the stomping grounds of wildly popular white filly and G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas heroine Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune {Jpn}), but instead, 7-1 shot Akaitorino Musume (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) spoiled the party at Kyoto on Sunday.

Following in the hoofsteps of her dam, 2010 Shuka Sho victress Apapane, the Makoto Kaneko Holdings-owned dark bay settled in a tracking sixth through the early going as A Shin Hiten (Jpn) (A Shin Hikari {Jpn}) cut out steady fractions while Sodashi sat in second several lengths back. At the head of the lane, pilot Keita Tosaki had Akaitorino Musume in an ideal position and ready to pounce on the leaders, as Sodashi took over from pacesetter A Shin Hiten.

However, with 200 metres remaining, Sodashi began to weaken and it was left to Akaitorino Musume, Andvaranaut (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), and the rapidly closing Fine Rouge (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) to fight out the finish. A half-length separated Akaitorino Musume and Fine Rouge at the line, with the latter a half-length to the good of Andvaranaut at the wire. A Shin Hiten held on well to take fourth. Sodashi faded to 10th. G1 Japanese Oaks heroine Uberleben (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) broke poorly and never factored in 14th.

“There was a strong idle horse in today's race but I'm really glad we were able to claim the last leg of the Triple Crown. I was able to settle the filly in good position and let her find a good rhythm. She responded willingly and stretched really well in the lane. I think she is a strong horse and felt that she has stepped up to the next level. I look forward to her performances going forward,” commented Tosaki.

A two-time winner from three starts at two, Akaitorino Musume added her first black-type badge with a victory over a mile in the G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup at Tokyo on Feb. 13. Only fourth to Sodashi in the G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas, she improved to second behind Uberleben in the G1 Japanese Oaks, her first try at 2400 metres, as her previous five races had been at a mile.

Pedigree Notes

The winner is the 53rd Group 1 winner for the late Deep Impact. Already successful at the Group 3 level prior to Sunday, she is among 178 worldwide black-type scorers and 144 group winners. Somewhat surprisingly, she is only the second top-level winner for her sire out of his deceased studmate King Kamehameha's daughters after G1 Japanese Derby hero Wagnerian (Jpn). King Kamehameha has 26 black-type winners and 19 group winners. His best runner as a broodmare sire is 2020 Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown heroine Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia).

The fourth foal and fourth winner for her dual champion and Fillies' Triple Crown-winning dam Apapane, Akaitorino Musume is a full-sister to dual Japanese group-placed Jinambo (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and the Group 3-placed Rhinebeck (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Her dam, who won three of her four starts at two, including the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies when it was only a listed race, built upon her juvenile form with Classic victories in the G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas, G1 Japanese Oaks and the 2010 edition of this event. As a 4-year-old, Apapane added the G1 Victoria Mile to her haul, and her latest produce are both by Deep Impact's brother Black Tide (Jpn)–a yearling filly and a weanling colt.

Katsumi Yoshida purchased the winner's second dam, Salty Bid, out of the Fasig-Tipton February Sale for $200,000 in 2002. Sent to Japan, she placed at the listed level in her adopted country, while her great granddam Piper Piper (Spectacular Bid) ran third in the 1990 GI Ashland S.

Sunday, Kyoto, Japan
SHUKA SHO-G1, ¥194,800,000, Kyoto, 10-17, 3yo, f, 2000mT, 2:01.20, fm.
1–AKAITORINO MUSUME (JPN), 121, f, 3, Deep Impact (Jpn)
        1st Dam: Apapane (Jpn) (Ch. 2yo Filly & 3yo Filly-Jpn,
                  MG1SW-Jpn, $1,682,719), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
        2nd Dam: Salty Bid, by Salt Lake
        3rd Dam: Piper Piper, by Spectacular Bid
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Makoto Kaneko Holdings; B-Northern
Farm (Jpn); T-Sakae Kunieda; J-Keita Tosaki. ¥103,360,000.
Lifetime Record: 7-4-1-0. *Full to Jinambo (Jpn) (Deep Impact
{Jpn}), MGSP-Jpn, $921,944; and Rhinebeck (Jpn) (Deep
Impact {Jpn}), GSP-Jpn, $783,280. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
   *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Fine Rouge (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Kizuna (Jpn)
        1st Dam: Passion Rouge (Jpn), by Boston Harbor
        2nd Dam: Sexy Coconuts (Jpn), by Dance in the Dark (Jpn)
        3rd Dam: Coco Passion (Fr), by Groom Dancer
(¥33,000,000 Wlg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Genichi Mutsui; B-Northern
Farm (Jpn); ¥40,960,000.
3–Andvaranaut (Jpn), 121, f, 3, King Kamehameha (Jpn)
        1st Dam: Gullveig (Jpn), by Deep Impact (Jpn)
        2nd Dam: Air Groove (Jpn), by Tony Bin (Ire)
        3rd Dam: Dyna Carle (Jpn), by Northern Taste
O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥25,480,000.
Margins: HF, HF, 1HF. Odds: 7.90, 4.60, 6.30.
Also Ran: A Shin Hiten (Jpn), Slyly (Jpn), Stellaria (Jpn), Art de Vivre (Jpn) Dead Heat, Another Lyric (Jpn), Miss Figaro (Jpn), Sodashi (Jpn), Through Seven Seas (Jpn), Sulfur Cosmos (Jpn), Uberleben (Jpn), Enthusiasm (Jpn), Cool Cat (Jpn), Ho O Ixelles (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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