Justin Palace Grabs Group 1 Glory in Tenno Sho

Installed the second choice behind G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) defending winner Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente (Jpn), Masahiro Miki's Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact (Jpn) followed up on a last-time out victory in the Mar. 19 G2 Hanshin Daishoten to post a comfortable victory in the 3,200 meter fixture, held for the first time at the newly-renovated Kyoto Racecourse.

“The horse was calm throughout the race and I was sure that he was going to win when we moved up behind Deep Bond entering the straight,” commented winning rider Christophe Lemaire. “He has become a super horse over long distances, so I think he will do well in races like [2,500-meter] Arima Kinen in the future.”

Breaking cleanly from the inside post, Justin Palace settled in a ground-saving midpack position before shifting out slightly rounding the second turn. Steadily closing on the front rank while two wide approaching the final turn, the half to MGISW Palace Malice gradually reeled in the late-leading Deep Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), overtook his rival 300 meters out and drew clear en route to a 2-1/2-length victory. Deep Bond held off the fast-closing Silver Sonic (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) by a length to mark his third consecutive runner-up finish. Race favorite Titleholder, in the thick of things up front in the early going, lost his advantage 600 meters out and quickly dropped back thereafter and was pulled up Toru Kurita before the final corner. Found to have suffered injury to his right foreleg, the 5-year-old was scheduled to undergo an examination following the race.

A winner of a pair of starts and runner-up in the G1 Hopeful S. as a 2-year-old, the Northern Racing-bred colt was ninth in both the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) early in his 3-year-old season however, returned to take his first graded victory in the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai in September. Third in the 3000-meter G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), he concluded the 2022 season with a seventh in the G1 Arima Kinen in December at Nakayama.

Pedigree Notes:
With Sunday's win in the Tenno Sho, Justin Palace becomes the 59th individual Group 1 winner and the 99th Group 1-level victory for the son of Sunday Silence. The bay is out of the stakes-winning mare Palace Rumor (Royal Anthem), who is most notably responsible for GI Belmont S. and GI Met Mile winner Palace Malice (Curlin). A $1.1 million purchase by Katsumi Yoshida at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2013, the Kentucky-bred mare is also the dam of millionaire and MGSP-Jpn victor Iron Barrows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}).

Sunday, Kyoto, Japan
TENNO SHO (SPRING)-G1, ¥423,100,000, Kyoto, 4-30, 4yo/up, 3200mT, 3:16.10, sf.
1–JUSTIN PALACE (JPN), 128, c, 4, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
1st Dam: Palace Rumor (SW-US, $111,833), by Royal Anthem
2nd Dam: Whisperifyoudare, by Red Ransom
3rd Dam: Stellar Affair, by Skywalker
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (¥190,000,000 Ylg '20 JRHAJUL).
O-Masahiro Miki; B-Northern Farm; T-Haruki Sugiyama;
J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥223,570,000. Lifetime Record:
10-5-1-1, ¥434,666,000. *1/2 to Palace Malice (Curlin),
MGISW, $2,691,135; and Iron Barows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}),
MGSP-Jpn, $1,327,637. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.  Click for the free
Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Deep Bond (Jpn), 128, h, 6, Kizuna (Jpn)–Zephyranthes (Jpn),
by King Halo (Jpn). O-Shinji Maeda; B-Murata Farm;
¥89,020,000.
3–Silver Sonic (Jpn), 128, h, 7, Orfevre (Jpn)–Air Thule (Jpn), by
Tony Bin (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O-Shadai Race
Horse; B-Shadai Farm; ¥55,510,000.
Margins: 2HF, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 3.30, 21.50, 21.50.
Also Ran: Breakup (Jpn), Matenro Leo (Jpn), Boldog Hos (Jpn), End Roll (Jpn), Sanrei Pocket (Jpn), Diastima (Jpn), Humidor (Jpn), Ask Victor More (Jpn), Melody Lane (Jpn), Iron Barows (Jpn), Deep Monster (Jpn), Tosen Cambina (Jpn). DNF: Titleholder (Jpn), African Gold (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart and VIDEO.

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Titleholder Fortified For Tenno Sho Spring Title Defence

Hiroshi Yamada's Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) looms large in Sunday's G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto. The accomplished 5-year-old entire, if he defends his crown in the 3200-metre affair, will be the sixth horse to pull off the double in consecutive years.

Successful in the 3000-metre G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) as a 3-year-old, the versatile bay added the 2022 edition of this race and the G1 Takarazuka Kinen, cutting back 1000 metres, last June. An attempt at the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in boggy ground was met with an unplaced run in October, and Titleholder was also out of the first three in the G1 Arima Kinen to end his year on Christmas Day. In rude health when romping by an imperious eight lengths in the G2 Nikkei Sho at Nakayama on Mar. 25, the morning line favourite will break from stall three under Kazuo Yokoyama.

“I had jockey Kazuo Yokoyama ride him in work last week on the 19 [of April] and he confirmed that the horse had improved following his win by eight lengths in the Nikkei Sho,” said trainer Toru Kurita. “In that race, his result may have been greatly affected by the going and the lineup. I'm not really sure what he would look like to be at peak, and that is meant in a good way as I'm not sure just what he's capable of. I do hope that he'll be able to run his own race and show us his best.”

Right next store to Titleholder is his diminutive older half-sister Melody Lane (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in stall four for Makio Okada and trainer Naoyuki Morita. Fifth in the 2019 Kikuka Sho, she warmed up for this with an 11-place run behind Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten over 3000 metres on Mar. 19. The latter, who ran third in the 2022 Kikuka Sho, is second favourite in the wagering and races for Masahiro Miki from gate one. Star Frenchman Christophe Lemaire is at the controls.

Ask Victor More (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) could give Titleholder a run for his money from barrier six, as long as he improves from his ninth-place finish in the Nikkei Sho. Trained by Yasuhito Tamura, the third-priced favourite won the 2022 Kikuka Sho over Boldog Hos (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) and Justin Palace.

“With the Nikkei Sho as a preliminary, he is definitely sharper, both mentally and physically,” said Tamura. “His results in that race were really unfortunate and this time I've been fine tuning him and fixing anything that needed fixing.”

Titleholder isn't the only horse with a half-sibling in the field, as the long shot and multiple group-placed  Iron Barows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) is a half-brother to the aforementioned Justin Palace.

Another worthy of mention is the globetrotting G3 Red Sea Turf H. hero Silver Sonic (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), who appeared ageless with his victory at King Abdulaziz Racetrack at the end of February. The ghostly grey will have no problem navigating the 3200-metre trip, as he claimed the 3600-metre G2 Sports Nippon Sho Stayers S. at Nakayama in December.

“His lungs are good and I don't see any fatigue from the trip abroad,” said assistant trainer Yuki Iwasaki. “He had the accident at the break in last year's Tenno Sho (Spring), but he had never had problems before. At seven years of age, I have the impression that he's even stronger than before, so I'm looking forward to things.”

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Another Japanese Winner As Silver Sonic Goes Ultrasonic In Red Sea Turf

Silver Sonic (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn) was the second of three Japanese winners on the Saudi Cup card, and turned in a smooth performance to take the $2.5-million G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. as the 2-1 favourite by 2 1/2 lengths over Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}). It was the second consecutive year a Japanese runner–both incidentally bearing the silks of Shadai Race Horse Co.–has lifted the 3000-metre turf prize after Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in 2022.

Before the race, the main talking horse had been Charlie Johnston's Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who, on his best day, loomed a formidable obstacle to his rivals. The 2021 G1 Gold Cup hero duly claimed pacesetting duties, while under the watchful eyes of Damian Lane and Silver Sonic just behind. Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) cruised up to stalk from second, and Lane was content to let his grey save ground against the fence.

Subjectivist displayed plenty of verve from the front, but his lengthy injury-induced break from the races began to take its toll and he appeared vulnerable 500 metres from home. Lane sent Silver Sonic, and he responded to take command by the head of the straight, before fending off the closing Enemy, who made his bid out in the centre of the course. It was another three-quarters of a length back to Get Shirty (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in third. Subjectivist finished 12th. After the race, Enemy's rider Richard Kingscote weighed in lighter than allowed, but, after a stewards' inquiry, the result was allowed to stand.

Lane said, “I have had great support in Japan, especially the Shadai Race Horse Club. He began well, which is always important from barrier one. I was happy to track Subjectivist, who was always going to set a nice tempo and be a good horse to follow. I needed a bit of luck to get through but once it opened up he finished really well.”

Yasutoshi Ikee said, “This might be the second win for Japan, but it is a first win for me. This is a great achievement for me and I am very happy.

“I didn't talk tactics with Damien today. I brought Orfevre to the Arc twice but he ran second on both occasions, so winning a big race abroad with Orfevre's son, it is a great pleasure. My father trained Stay Gold, his sire's sire, so the feeling with this victory is so special.”

Joe Fanning, aboard Subjectivist, said after the race, “I felt he was keen enough, he has been off for a while and in the end he just got tired. As long as he's OK afterwards, I'm sure he'll be back.”

The Shadai Farm-bred 7-year-old entire did not finish May's G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) after losing jockey Yuga Kawada at the start, running with the field for the entire race and then bounding over a fence after the finish, but he bounced back to take the 3600-metre G2 Sports Nippon Sho Stayers S. over firm turf on Dec. 3 in his Riyadh warmup.

Silver Sonic will be trained with an eye to the 3200-metre G1 Tenno Sho back in Japan, or he will continue to ply his trade in the desert in the Mar. 25 G2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Racecourse. He could face Saturday's runner-up Enemy once again in the latter.

“I'm very grateful to the people of the JCSA who received us so well,” Ikee added. “Silver Sonic travelled over really well and kept his condition, he has been the same as he is at home. We have two options, the Tenno Sho and the other is the Dubai Gold Cup.”

“We knew the distance wouldn't be a problem,” Lane added. “I would never advise a trainer, but the Tenno Sho looks a good option. I'm just grateful to be a part of it all, it's a big thrill as a part of my career and I'm really enjoying it.”

 

Pedigree Notes

At stud, the Shadai Stallion Station-based dual Arc runner-up Orfevre has been represented by 25 stakes winners (20 group) led by four-time Group 1 winner Lucky Lilac (Jpn), one of a quartet of top-flight winners for the 15-year-old. Bred on the same Sunday Silence-Tony Bin (Ire) cross as standout stallion Heart's Cry (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Silver Sonic is part of a 36-strong legion of group winners for Tony Bin, who sired seven Group 1 scorers.

The well-credentialed Air Thule (Jpn) earned six victories over the course of four seasons racing, taking a stakes in her native land, third in Singapore's G3 KrisFlyer Sprint, as well as running second in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in 2002. She struck gold with her first foal, the Fuji Kiseki (Jpn) filly Ultima Thule (Jpn), who won both the G2 Centaur S. and G3 Silk Road S. and is already a stakes producer, and the quality continued with her second, 2008 Japanese 2000 Guineas winner Captain Thule (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}), who also captured two editions of the G3 Asahi Challenge Cup. In 2009, she delivered Crans Montana (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a stakes winner and Group 3-placed in Japan, and four years later that filly's full-sister, Contessa Thule (Jpn), who was third in the G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas in 2015. Silver Sonic is her 11th foal of 13, and one of 11 winners.

Air Thule's dam, Ski Paradise (Lyphard) was of the highest class in Europe, and scored in the G1 Prix du Moulin while placing in three other Grade/Group 1 events on both sides of the Atlantic. She is the ancestress of seven black-type horses. Royal Ski's Ski Goggle, successful in the 1983 GI Acorn S. and the third dam of Silver Sonic, left three other stakes winners in three countries who were all given a chance as sires in Ski Captain (Storm Bird), Ski Champ (Icecapade) and Ski Chief (Chief's Crown).

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
LONGINES RED SEA TURF H.-G3, $2,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-25, 4yo/up, 3000mT, 3:06.46, fm.
1–SILVER SONIC (JPN), h, 7, by Orfevre (Jpn)
1st Dam: Air Thule (Jpn) (SW-Jpn, G1SP-Fr, GSP-Sing, $1,442,676), by Tony Bin (Ire)
2nd Dam: Ski Paradise, by Lyphard
3rd Dam: Ski Goggle, by Royal Ski
O-Shadai Race Horse Co., Ltd.; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); T-Yasutoshi Ikee; J-Damian Lane; $1,500,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn, 21-6-3-6, $3,031,870. *1/2 to Ultima Thule (Jpn) (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}), MGSW-Jpn, $2,086,687; Captain Thule (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $3,960,829; Crans Montana (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), SW & GSP-Jpn, $2,002,758; and Contessa Thule (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), G1SP-Jpn, $499,346. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Enemy (GB), 128, g, 6, Muhaarar (GB)–Prudenzia (Ire), by Dansili (GB). (€420,000 Ylg '18 ARQAUG; €92,000 HRA '21 ARQNOV). O-Tracey Bell & Caroline Lyons; B-Ecurie des Monceaux & Skymarc Farm, Inc. (GB); T-Ian Williams; J-Richard Kingscote; $500,000.
3–Get Shirty (Ire), 125, g, 7, Teofilo (Ire)–Soccer Mom (Ger), by Monsun (Ger). (€30,000 HRA '21 ARQJUL). O-Akela Thoroughbreds Limited; B-Haras du Mont Dit Mont (Ire); T-David O'Meara; J-Joe Fanning; $250,000.
Margins: 2HF, 3/4, NO. Odds: 2.00, 6.00, 18.00.
Also Ran: Big Call, Nate The Great (GB), Sisfahan (Fr), Echt (Jpn), Trawlerman (Ire), Pin Your Hopes (Ire), My Frankel (GB), Al Qareem (Ire), Subjectivist (GB), Master Gatsby (Fr). VIDEO.

 

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