Tag: Remake

Japan’s Remake Turns the Tables in Riyadh Dirt Sprint

The Japan contingent went two-for-two in the major races early on Saudi Cup Day as Koichi Shintani's REMAKE (JPN) (h, 5, Lani–Sariel {Jpn}, by King Kamehameha {Jpn}) rallied powerfully in the $1.5-million G3 Sports Boulevard Riyadh Dirt Sprint to run down Steve Asmussen's Skelly (Practical Joke), while Bill Mott's Bold Journey (Hard Spun) got up late for third. In a notable twist, the same trio of conditioners also finished in the top three in the race in 2023, albeit in a very different order. The victory by a Japan-based horse was the third in five editions of the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, with Dancing Prince (Jpn) (Pas De Trois {Jpn}) taking the 2022 renewal and Copano Kicking (Spring At Last) winning in 2021.

“If Remake showed his performance, I was pretty sure he was going to get there,” said Shintani. “But as he got beaten last year it was so disappointing, so we spoke with the staff and tried to better that performance. I think he is at an advantage that he can race from anywhere and that is his strength.”

A bit of roughhousing shook up the outside horses as the gates flew, but Remake broke cleanly to their inside and was unbothered. The chestnut angled over to the rail behind the second flight as the first 400 metres registered in :23.44 and a trio up front showed the way. Japan's well-traveled Jasper Krone (Frosted) held a narrow lead between horses 800 metres on (:46.05) as Skelly threatened only briefly before safely taking the controls. At the same time, Remake floated out wide off the turn for a clear run from behind and relentlessly closed down the lane, full of run, as Skelly shortened stride. Rider Yuga Kawada put away his right-handed stick and kept his mount under a hand ride for the final strides, waving his hand to acknowledge the victory at the wire. Skelly held second while Bold Journey rallied late to best Jasper Krone, making his first start on dirt, for third. The final time for the 1200 metres was a sharp 1:10.42.

“I have won three Japan Derbies but this is even more,” said winning owner Koji Maeda. “When he came into the final bend he was travelling so well and I was pretty sure he was going to win.

“Physically he has improved since last year. The trainer and all his staff put everything together and brought the horse here for a brilliant result which makes it really special. I came from no background in racing and now I have 30 Group 1 winners as an owner-breeder. It means a lot. I will bring the trophy back to [the] hotel and sleep with it tonight.”

Third in this race behind Mott's Elite Power (Curlin) and Asmussen's Gunite (Gun Runner) last year, Remake turned the tables on the Americans with the win. Last year, Remake shipped to Dubai for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen after the Dirt Sprint and finished fifth before returning to Japan for a listed stakes win and a second in the G3 Procyon S. He closed out the year with a G3 Korea Sprint score in Seoul and a runner-up finish in Japan's JBC Sprint. The Dirt Sprint was his first start since Nov. 3.

Pedigree Notes

A member of his sire's first crop, Remake is currently the sole black-type winner for Arrow Stud's Lani. The young stallion was bred in the U.S., won his biggest career race in Dubai, and stands in Japan. Although also trained in Japan, he did ship back to his native country to finish third in the 2016 GI Belmont S. after winning the G2 UAE Derby. King Kamehameha (Jpn), Japan's champion 3-year-old two decades ago, has 44 stakes winners, including Remake, out of his daughters. He hails from the Kingmambo branch of the Mr. Prospector line.

North Hills Co. Limited bred not only Remake, but also Lani and Lani's dam. The operation picked up Sariel, Remake's dam, for ¥21,000,000 at the 2007 Japan Racing Horse Association Select Sale. Her granddam is a half-sister to both the wonderful 1997 English Broodmare of the Year Slightly Dangerous (Roberto), whose four group winners included champions Commander In Chief (GB) (Dancing Brave) and Warning (GB) (Known Fact), and to group winner I Will Follow (Herbager {Fr}), dam of champion and excellent sire Rainbow Quest (Blushing Groom {Fr}).

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
SPORTS BOULEVARD RIYADH DIRT SPRINT-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-24, NH/SH3yo/up, 1200m, 1:10.42, ft.
1–REMAKE (JPN), 126, h, 5, by Lani
1st Dam: Sariel (Jpn) (GSP-Jpn, $888,410), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Shinko Nobby, by Nashwan
3rd Dam: Christabelle, by Northern Dancer
O-Koji Maeda; B-North Hills Co Ltd; T-Koichi Shintani; J-Yuga Kawada; $900,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn & Kor, 16-8-3-2, $2,978,544. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Skelly, 126, g, 5, Practical Joke–Adande, by Bwana Charlie. ($250,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEP; $350,000 RNA 2yo '21 FTFMAR). O-Red Lane Thoroughbreds LLC; B-H Allen Poindexter (KY); T-Steve Asmussen; J-Ricardo Santana Jr; $300,000.
3–Bold Journey, 126, h, 5, Hard Spun–Polly Freeze, by Super Saver. ($75,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP; $80,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable & Gary Barber; B-Fred W Hertrich III & John D Fielding (NY); T-Bill Mott; J-Joel Rosario; $150,000.
Margins: 1HF, 1HF, 1.
Also Ran: Jasper Krone, Cairama, Keiai Dorie (Jpn), Power of Beauty (Ire), Sunset Flash (Ire), Rebellious Stage, Tuz, Alfaisaleyah (GB). Click for the JCSA chart (R5).

 

 

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Saudi Cup Meeting Attracts Entries From 15 Countries

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) has released the names of the 1162 entries–including 41 Grade I/Group 1 winners–from no fewer than 15 racing jurisdictions around the world for the US$33.5 million Saudi Cup meeting to be held at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh Saturday, Feb. 23, 2024. Prize money is up by $2.25 million as compared to the 2023 renewal, reflecting the upgrades of the Neom Turf Cup (2100mT) and 1351 Turf Sprint to international Group 2 status. One of the two races for Purebred Arabians–the Al Mneefah Cup– has been accorded Group 1 status for the first time.

White Abarrio (Race Day) is chief among the entries for the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup. The Rick Dutrow, Jr. runner is doing his preparations in California for the 1800-meter test, where he could face Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), whom he defeated when last seen in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita in early November. The Japanese–which have 110 entries across the races–could also be represented by reigning G1 Dubai World Cup winner and Breeders' Cup Classic fifth Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) as well as Godolphin's Japanese champion dirt horse Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid), who earned a spot in the Saudi Cup field when winning the G1 Champions Cup in December. National Treasure (Quality Road), victorious in last year's GI Preakness S., is one of five entries for trainer Bob Baffert, who has also nominated GI Malibu S. winner Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) and Zedan Racing Stable's Hejazi (Bernardini), runner-up in that seven-furlong test Dec. 26. The Brad Cox barn could be represented by Saudi-owned GI Pennsylvania Derby winner Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), while Scotland Yard (Quality Road) is among the chief local chances. Aidan O'Brien has entered Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) for what would be their dirt debuts in the Saudi Cup.

Japan's Silver Sonic (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) carried 125 pounds to victory in last year's G3 Longines Red Sea Turf Cup H., but if he is to defend his title in the $2.5-million contest, he will need to tote 134 against a field in which G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) is top-weighted at 136 pounds. The 3000-meter staying test has also attracted G2 Yorkshire Cup hero Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}, 133), Godolphin's group/graded winner Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}, 133), the Dermot Weld-trained 9-year-old G3 Loughbrown S. winner Falcon Eight (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}, 129), Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}, 126) and G3 Bahrain Trophy second Tower of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for Ballydoyle.

The connections of Simca Mille could opt for the G2 Neom Turf Cup, a $2-million race over an extended mile and a quarter. John and Thady Gosden sent out Mostahdaf (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to a barnstorming win in last year's race and the father-and-son partnership has Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training acquisition Jack Darcy (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) engaged. Luxembourg holds a Neom Turf Cup entry, while narrow GI Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up Mawj (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) has also been handed this stamina-stretching option by Saeed bin Suroor. Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) could try to make it consecutive wins in the race for his sire, having most recently defeated the Gosdens' Israr (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Point Lonsdale in the G2 Bahrain International Trophy back in November. American entries include Missed the Cut (Quality Road), unplaced when well-fancied last year, and the consistent Webslinger (Constitution).

America's Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) has endured a pair of excruciating defeats in the 1351 Turf Cup and could return for a third attempt at the race, as he remains in training into an 8-year-old campaign in 2024. The globetrotting Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) dropped his head down on the line first in last year's race for trainer Yoshito Yahagi and could be back to defend his title against a group that could also include Saudi Arabia's Raaed (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a cracking third last year, Godolphin's Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Amo Racing's Walbank (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), an impressive handicap winner over 1200 metres at Meydan for George Boughey Jan. 5, and Forbidden Kingdom (American Pharoah), all-the-way winner of the GII Joe Hernandez S. for MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm at Santa Anita Dec. 30.

Japanese runners have proved formidable in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint and a strong team includes Remake (Jpn) (Lani), who was a good third to the now-retired top American sprinters Elite Power (Curlin) and Gunite (Gun Runner) in the 1200-meter test last February. The North Hills homebred was last seen finishing runner-up to Igniter (Jpn) (Espoir City {Jpn}) in the valuable Listed JBC Sprint at Ohi Racecourse in November, and he also holds an entry. Speed Boat Beach could be re-routed for this shorter option, while other entries from the US include reigning G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen hero Sibelius (Not This Time), the in-form Bold Journey (Hard Spun) for 2023 winning conditioner Bill Mott, Forbidden Kingdom, Hejazi and recent Oaklawn allowance winner Skelly (Practical Joke). Last year's Saudi Derby winner Commissioner King (Commissioner) features among the local Sprint contingent.

Over 200 entries were taken for the G3 Saudi Derby going a metric mile on the dirt. Zedan Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic), recent winner of the GII San Vicente S. for Bob Baffert, has been given an entry as has his Grade I-placed stable companion Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso) and San Vicente runner-up Pilot Commander (Justify). Yahagi's Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) holds an entry as does his stablemate Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), who appears set to make the journey to the desert after convincingly defeating Aigle Noir (Jpn) (Bricks and Mortar) in the Listed Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki last month. An intriguing possibility from the Weld yard is Taraj (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), placed in one of two starts on the turf and a latest maiden winner going a mile over the Dundalk all-weather Nov. 24. Among the locals, Saudi Neom (Connect) is among the possibles, having run his record to two wins and a second from three runs with a victory over the Derby course and distance Jan. 6.

Top Qatari galloper Bolthole (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}), third in last year's Listed H. H. The Amir Trophy and winner of a Class 2 conditions race over 2000 metres at Al Rayyan Jan. 4 for Wathnan Racing and Alban de Mieulle, is the joint-highweight for the $500,000 Saudi International H. (90-110) over 2100 metres on the grass.

Click here for the full list of entries.

 

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Japan, Kawada Dominate Korean Features

Japanese horses flexed their muscles at the Saudi Cup meeting in February and again in Dubai the following month and a quartet of gallopers that made the short trip over for Sunday's Korea Cup (1800m) and Korea Sprint (1200m)–each carrying international Group 3 status–made their presence felt yet again in front of a packed house at Seoul Racecourse.

Japan took the first three runnings of the Cup in which they were represented from 2016-2018 and finished third with favored Sekifu (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) last year as Winner's Man (Kor) (Musket Man) led home a local 1-2 over Raon the Fighter (Kor) (Bayern) following a two-year, COVID-enforced postponement of the features. Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), last year's G2 UAE Derby hero and GI Kentucky Derby participant, was joined on the trip over by Gloria Mundi (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), less heralded, but six-from-eight on dirt, including a Group 3 when last seen in May.

With Yuga Kawada in for the afternoon, Crown Pride was bet into $1.30 (3-10) favoritism and made light work of it, taking over at the midway stage, turning back a mild bid from Gloria Mundi nearing the straight and careering away under a hold to take it by 10 lengths over his compatriot. Winner's Man ran on for third, while Hong Kong raider Apache Star (Aus) (War Chant) faded into ninth after racing prominently early.

 

 

 

Koji Maeda's Remake (Jpn) (Lani) was third in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint and a troubled fifth in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen earlier in the year and prepped for the Korea Sprint with a facile success in listed company at Morioka last month. Also favoured at 30 cents on the dollar, the homebred sat a midfield trip for Kawada, went for an inside run into the stretch and raced past pacesetting Beolmaui Star (Kor) (To Honor and Serve) to score by four easy lengths in track-record time. The well-traveled Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), a winner at group level in Dubai in 2022 and in Saudi Arabia this term, ran on for third ahead of Hong Kong's Duke Wai (NZ) (Per Incanto), who rallied from well back for fourth. Defending champ Eoma Eoma (Algorithms) was fifth.

Foreign targets in the immediate future for the winners could include Breeders' Cup appearances, though Crown Pride could be pointed for the valuable JBC Classic in November or December's G1 Champions Cup, in which he was narrowly defeated last season. Remake is also a candidate for the JBC Sprint and/or the G3 Capella S., which marked his first win at stakes level in 2022.

Sunday, Seoul, South Korea
KOREA CUP-G3, ₩1,600,000,000 ($1,196,000), Seoul, 9-10, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:51.5, gd.
1–CROWN PRIDE (JPN), 126, c, 4, by Reach the Crown (Jpn)
1st Dam: Emmy's Pride (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Emmy's Smile (Jpn), by Agnes Tachyon (Jpn)
3rd Dam: Hemisphere (Jpn), by White Muzzle (GB)
O-Teruya Yoshida; B-Shadai Farm; T-Koichi Shintani; J-Yuga Kawada; ₩880,000,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE, G1SP-Jpn, 12-4-4-0, $3,632,652. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Gloria Mundi (Jpn), 126, h, 5, King Kamehameha (Jpn)–Bettolle (Ity), by Blu Air Force (Ire). O-Kazumi Yoshida; B-Northern Racing; T-Ryuji Okubo; J-Ryusei Sakai; ₩352,000,000.
3–Winner's Man (Kor), 126, h, 5, Musket Man–Winner's Marine (Kor), by Volponi. O-Lee Gyeong Hui; B-Kim Gi Seok; T-Choi Ki Hong; J-Seo Seung Un; ₩224,000,000.
Margins: 10, 5, HF. Odds: 0.30, 3.40, 17.40.
Also Ran: Success Macho (Kor), Haengbok Wangja, Tuhonui Banseok, Crazy Conti, Global Hit (Kor), Apache Pass (Aus), Simjangui Godong (Kor), Brigadier General (Aus), Tiz Barows (Kor), The Gumpu, Moohnak Chief. Scratched: Complete Value (Kor).

 

 

Sunday, Seoul, South Korea
KOREA SPRINT-G3, ₩1,200,000,000 ($897,000), Seoul, 9-10, 3yo/up, 1200m, 1:10 (NTR), gd.
1–REMAKE (JPN), 126, c, 4, by Lani
1st Dam: Sariel (Jpn) (GSP-Jpn, $888,410), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Shinko Nobby, by Nashwan
3rd Dam: Christabelle, by Northern Dancer
O-Koji Maeda; B-North Hills Co Ltd; T-Koichi Shintani; J-Yuga Kawada; ₩770,000,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn, GSP-KSA, 14-7-2-2, $1,891,484. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Beolmaui Star (Kor), 126, c, 4, To Honor and Serve–Gaya Gongju (Kor), by War Zone. O-Lee Jong Hun; B-Kim Geun Young; T-Baik Kwang Yeol; J-Seo Seung Un; ₩308,000,000.
3–Bathrat Leon (Jpn), 126, h, 5, Kizuna (Jpn)–Bathrat Amal (Jpn), by New Approach (Ire). O-Hiroo Race Co Ltd; B-Mishima Bokujo; T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Ryusei Sakai; ₩196,000,000.
Margins: 4, 2HF, 2HF. Odds: 0.30, 47.80, 3.70.
Also Ran: Duke Wai (NZ), Eoma Eoma, Daehan Jilju, Morfhis, Ssonsal, Calm Strong, Raon Tap Man (Kor), Black Musk, Clean Up Happy (Kor), Yes Perfect, Good Pilseung, East Jet (Kor).

 

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