Sunday dawned with perfect weather and by the time the field entered the gates for the G1 Yasuda Kinen, the course had been upgraded to good-to-firm, and that played right into the hands of Sunday Racing's Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), who came storming home down the centre to successfully defend her title in the spring mile feature. She joins Yamanin Zephyr (Jpn) (1992-93) and the great Vodka (Jpn) (2008, 2009) in putting wins back-to-back and is the third winner of the Yasuda Kinen in the last four years to carry the Sunday Racing black-and-red colours.

Sent off the fourth betting pick at 32-5, largely owing to her widest draw in 18, Songline was alertly away and settled just ahead of midfield and wide as Win Carnelian (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) set a predicatbly furious tempo in advance of G1 Osaka Hai hero Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) and the white mare Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune). Four off the rail and without cover for a time down the back of the course, Songline was eased back a spot or two by Keita Tosaki and critically managed to draft in behind recent G1 NHK Mile Cup winner Champagne Color (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) racing down the side.

Win Carnelian led narrowly into the long straight, but was soon besieged by Jack d'Or, who nosed in front with just shy of 400 metres to race. The chestnut, trying the mile for the first time, battled on bravely despite the demanding pace and took them deep into the final furlong, but Songline, switched off heels once heads were turned for home, was rallying strongly and raced over the top for the victory. Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), a forward factor throughout, bid one off the fence in the late stages and was just home for second ahead of favoured Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}), who finished his final 600 metres in a race-fastest :32.8. It was the latter's third straight Yasuda Kinen placing, having finished third in 2021 after beating Songline in the NHK Mile Cup and second last year.

Songline has been sparingly raced since her win last year, and was only 10th in defence of her title in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint in Riyadh in February before besting Sodashi last time in the May 14 G1 Victoria Mile.

“I was able to gallop her last week and felt that her form had improved, so I had every confidence in her today,” said Tosaki, who took the 2011 Yasuda Kinen aboard Real Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and was winning his 11th JRA Group 1. “The position we found was ideal, she responded beautifully and demonstrated her strong turn of foot and speed today. To score two Group 1 wins in a row is just incredible and I feel she is still steadily progressing.”

The Yasuda Kinen serves as a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile. Songline, who also earned a berth in the Filly & Mare Turf via the Victoria Mile success, was an intended runner in last year's Mile, but plans were scuppered due to inflammation in her epiglottis. Connections confirmed she will be pointed towards this year's Mile, to be held at Santa Anita Nov. 4.

Pedigree Notes:

Songline is the most accomplished runner by Kizuna, easily the best sire son of the late Deep Impact (Jpn) to date. The homebred is one of 22 black-type and 12 group winners for the 2013 G1 Tokyo Yushun hero, whose other elite-level scorer is G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) victress Akai Ito (Jpn). Himself victorious in the 2013 G2 Prix Niel and fourth to Treve (Fr) in that year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Kizuna has also made an impression on foreign soil as a sire, as his son Deep Bond (Jpn) took out the G2 Qatar Prix Foy ahead of an Arc appearance in 2021, while Bathrat Leon (Jpn) posted surprise victories in the 2022 G2 Godolphin Mile in Dubai and in this year's 1351 Turf Sprint.

Songline's second dam was kin to three Japanese stakes winners, while her great-granddam not only bred a trio of black-type winners, but is also responsible for Reizend (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}). She serves as the dam of the globetrotting Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), who won the 2019 G1 Qatar Nassau S. while placing in the G1 Hong Kong Cup and G1 Dubai Turf.

Luminous Parade is also the dam of the 2-year-old colt Sonic Line (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}), a yearling full-brother to Songline and foaled a colt by Satono Diamond (Jpn) Apr. 21.

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
YASUDA KINEN-G1, ¥347,400,000, Tokyo, 6-4, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:31.40, gd/fm.
1–SONGLINE (JPN), 123, m, 5, by Kizuna (Jpn)
1st Dam: Luminous Parade (Jpn), by Symboli Kris S
2nd Dam: Luminous Point (Jpn), by Agnes Tachyon (Jpn)
3rd Dam: Soninke (GB), by Machiavellian
O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Toru Hayashi; J-Keita Tosaki; ¥183,780,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-KSA, 15-7-2-1, $6,030,499. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Serifos (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Daiwa Major (Jpn)–Sea Front (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire). O-G1 Racing; B-Oiwake Farm; ¥73,080,000.
3–Schnell Meister (Ger), 128, h, 5, Kingman (GB)–Serienholde (Ger), by Soldier Hollow (GB). O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥45,540,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, HD, NK. Odds: 6.40, 4.80, 3.20.
Also Ran: Gaia Force (Jpn), Jack d'Or (Jpn), Red Mon Reve (Jpn), Sodashi (Jpn), Win Carnelian (Jpn), Soul Rush (Jpn), Elusive Panther (Jpn), Matenro Orion (Jpn), Cafe Pharoah, Danon Scorpion (Jpn), Champagne Color (Jpn), Meikei Yell (Jpn), Namur (Jpn), Naran Huleg (Jpn), Dolce More (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video.

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The bay, one of 10 elite-level winner in the field, defeated Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the age-restricted G1 NHK Mile Cup over this course and distance two years ago and was narrowly beaten by champion Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in this race his next start. He found Songline just a neck too good 12 months ago and was well below par for the remainder of his 4-year-old campaign, but he hinted at a return to form with a close fourth in the G2 Nakayama Kinen over 1800 metres Feb. 26 and most recently cut back to the mile for a victory in the G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup Apr. 23, with Gaia Force (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and Soul Rush (Jpn) not far away in second and third. Christophe Lemaire, who took the 2018 Yasuda Kinen aboard Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}), will need to work out a trip from barrier 14.

“As a 5-year-old, he's more mature now,” said trainer Takahisa Tezuka. “He runs well at Tokyo, so returning to the track this time makes conditions good for him and he has a chance to win. Things to consider will be the ground and the weather before the race and on the day, as I would like him to run on good ground.”

The Milers Cup also-rans figure to be well-fancied here as well, as Gaia Force was trying the mile for the first time, while Soul Rush has shown he can hold his own at this level.

SCHNELL MEISTER final fast ahead of Sunday's blockbuster G1 1600m Yasuda Kinen where he bangs heads with 9 other G1 winners

Last start devastating G2 Milers Cup winner.

Lovely footwork this morning on the Miho circle chip.

Major player.pic.twitter.com/veXUC3l4d2

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) May 31, 2023

Songline also carries the Sunday Racing colours and will need to overcome gate 18 if she is to become the first Yasuda Kinen repeater since Vodka (Jpn) (Tamino Gimlet {Jpn}) in 2008-2009. She's raced only sparingly since, finishing fifth to Meikei Yell (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) in the G2 Centaur S. (1200m) last September and 10th to compatriot Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in defence of her title in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia in February. She bounced back last time to just touch off fan favourite Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) in the G1 Victoria Mile over track and trip May 14.

“She has not only kept her condition since her last race, but she also seems to have improved for it,” trainer Toru Hayashi said of Songline. “It's the same concept as last year with these two races, and we're seeing the real Songline. With another strong field this time, and even after winning the Victoria Mile, I still think she's a challenger again here. I'm hoping she can run another strong race.”

Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) ran home strongly to be fourth while facing his elders here last June and closed the season with a smart 1 1/4-length success in the G1 Mile Championship. The chestnut has one run under his belt this season, a meritorious fourth behind the three-peating Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Turf over a nine-furlong trip that might be a bit longer than optimal. Derby-winning jockey Damian Lane retains the call.

Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), whose sire won this in 2015, is the likely leader from gate three for Yutaka Take. The flashy chestnut, who has raced exclusively over the 2000 metres to this point in his career, took a thrilling running of the G2 Sapporo Kinen over Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) last August and was at his front-running best when landing the G1 Osaka Hai on his seasonal return Apr. 2

JACK D'OR (Maurice) final fast ahead of Sunday's blockbuster G1 1600m Yasuda Kinen.

Yutaka Take in the saddle.

Last start G1 2000m Osaka Hai winner

He has never raced <2000m, a very interesting experiment.

His Sire was quite handy at a Mile.pic.twitter.com/S1RmA38USJ

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) May 31, 2023

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A two-length winner of this event last season, Sodashi was only fifth as the favourite in last August's G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) behind Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), each of whom have since recorded top-level successes. A head second in the nine-furlong G2 Fuchu Himba over this course in October, the two-time champion was last seen finishing a competitive third behind Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) in the G1 Mile Championship last November. Sodashi gets a noteworthy change in the saddle Sunday.

“Jockey Damian Lane rode her two weeks ago, and he said he found her easy to ride,” said trainer Naosuke Sugai. “He has been studying all her races and I do want him to ride her as he feels is right. There are a lot of top horses in the lineup, but I want her to be able to bring out her best. Of course, I want results, but the most important thing is that she runs safely and comes out of the race well.”

5m SODASHI final fast up the Ritto slope ahead of defending her G1 Victoria Mile title on Sunday

Shredding chip

Regardless of how pretty she is, breaking 12.0 for the final 200m is outstanding work, she is purrrrring.

Will be very tough to beat, againpic.twitter.com/wWyaqhtXJP

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) May 10, 2023

Reining Japanese champion 3-year-old filly Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) won the first two legs of last year's Japanese Filly Triple Crown, the G1 Oka Sho and G1 Yushun Himba, ahead of a luckless third behind Stunning Rose (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in the G1 Shuka Sho. Sidelined thereafter, she flew home late and was unfortunate not to get past the aforementioned Jack d'Or in the G1 Osaka Hai on her seasonal return Apr. 2.

“She'd been coming off a layoff in her previous race, but this time, with a race behind her, I think she has improved,” said jockey Christophe Lemaire, back from his sixth-place effort in the GI Kentucky Derby last weekend. “She feels to be in perfect shape. We lost last time because we were racing from too far back. The start will be important.”

Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) is back at the mile, having finished a somewhat disappointing 10th behind Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) when going for back-to-back victories in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia Feb. 25. She improved from a well-backed fifth in this spot to cause a mild upset in last term's G1 Yasuda Kinen in her next visit to the races.

So deep is this year's renewal that Lotus Land (Point of Entry), a dual Group 3 winner and near-miss second in the 2022 G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, is no better than a 100-1 chance. She exits a sixth in the latter event Mar. 26 when the ground at Chukyo was exceptionally testing.

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Wherever and whenever horses from Japan show up on the world stage, recent history dictates that they are to be taken very seriously.

As recently as 12 months ago at the Saudi Cup meeting, horses representing the island nation accounted for four of the evening's six big races, and a month later in yet another desert destination, they somehow managed to one-up themselves with a spectacular five-timer on Dubai World Cup night. The nation has yet–repeat, yet–to break through in either of the world's eight-figure races on the dirt, but they will have every chance to rewrite history just past 8:30 local time Saturday when a half-dozen accomplished Japanese runners take on seven others in the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

The most accomplished of the group at Saturday's nine-furlong distance on the dirt is Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), who earned an automatic berth in the Cup via his last-gasp defeat of 2022 G2 UAE Derby hero Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) in the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo last December (see below). Purchased for better than $1 million as a yearling at the JRHA Select Sale, the bay won four of 21 starts on the grass, but has been reborn with the surface switch; the Champions Cup was his third win from four runs on the main track. He'll carry saddle towel six from barrier number six.

“Several front-runners drew inside so there is going to be plenty of early speed,” said trainer Yasuo Tomomichi. “I believe he can settle anywhere the jockey wants to be.”

WATCH: Jun Light Bolt up late in the Champions Cup

Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is expected to be part of the early pace, as he drew the inside stall Wednesday. Having dead-heated for the victory in last year's G1 Dubai Turf, he ran a couple of blinders in defeat in the G2 Sapporo Kinen and particularly in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), where he dared them to catch him after opening a monstrous lead and was only run down in the final yards. He makes a second start on dirt for the charismatic Yoshito Yahagi, who was matter of fact as relates to the draw.

“I never think about the numbers but number one should be a good number,” he said. “There's only one instruction–gotta go!”

Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) is the most prolific Japanese Group 1 dirt horse and passed up an opportunity for a third straight February S. in favour of Saudi riches. He'll have to negotiate a trip from gate 13 with Joao Moreira up.

“Cafe Pharoah has won the [February S.], and if you're able to win that race, you have to have a lot of ability,” the 'Magic Man' said. “I'd be very surprised if he runs a poor race. He's solid, strong, big, and apparently he knows what his job is. I'll be very surprised if he's not finishing in the top four.”

Though it would be no shock to see them run well, G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) hero Geoglyph (Jpn), a son of American dirt sprint champion Drefong, and the well-traveled Vin de Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), right there in last year's Dubai Turf, would be nevertheless be considered upset winners, all things considered.

Don't Sleep On The Locals…

Emblem Road (Quality Road) gave the home team its first win with a stunning victory over Country Grammer (Tonalist) in the big race last year and is back to defend his title. Fifth as the surprising favourite in the G3 Grand Prix de Vichy–a lone start on the turf–last July, the 5-year-old resumed with a smooth four-length conditions success in strong time Jan. 13 (video, SC 4).

“I'm so happy with the number eight, he's a late horse from the gate, so I can be outside easily,” said jockey Alexis Moreno. “He's doing very well, he's run well and I hope he can do it again.”

The commonly owned Scotland Yard (Quality Road), a graduate of the Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age Sale, has earned his way into the Saudi Cup with three wins on the trot, including a 10 1/4-length romp over Electability (Quality Road)–winner of a $500,000 handicap Friday–in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup Jan. 28 (video, SC 16).

Saudi Arabia is also represented by the two females in the race, former Polish champion Lagertha Rhyme (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) and Sunset Flash (Ire) (Mayson {GB}).

Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) ships over from Dubai for Bhupat Seemar, having run a distant third to the G1 Dubai World Cup-bound Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 at Meydan three weeks ago. —Alan Carasso

Will Waters Part For Subjectivist In Red Sea Turf?

A baker's dozen line up in the G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. over 3000 metres on grass, and the $2.5-million dollar question is if multiple Group 1 winner Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) has returned to his formidable best after overcoming a tendon injury and 600-plus days away from the races.

Trainer Charlie Johnston was still an assistant to his father, Mark, when the bay stormed to victories in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak in October of 2020, the G2 Dubai Gold Cup in March of 2021 and the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot later that June. It is a big ask for the 6-year-old, but Johnston is happy with his star's progress.

“It is a feeling of the unknown,” said Johnston. “We wouldn't be here if we didn't feel we would be competitive. Can I have the same confidence I had two years ago? No. This horse is coming back from a serious tendon injury, a tendon injury that in a lot of cases is career-ending. It is not like a bone injury that you know would have repaired to 100%.

“Stall 13 wouldn't have been my first choice of where to jump from, but it is what we've got and we just have to make the best of the situation.

“The horse seems in good fettle with himself and it's all systems go. I think he is showing the signs of a horse who has spent 20 months away from the track and he was always quite a difficult horse to lead up, particularly on a raceday going back a couple of years, so it doesn't concern me to see him full of himself.”

HE'S BACK!

Gold Cup winner SUBJECTIVIST will return to action in the Red Sea Turf Handicap after a 20 month break

Hear from trainer Charlie Johnston about his road to recovery @Johnston_Racing #TheSaudiCup pic.twitter.com/GXbTHF5ePE

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) February 23, 2023

John and Thady Gosden won the second running of the Saudi Cup with Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), and are back in Riyadh with Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) for this marathon affair. The 2022 Ebor H. winner carries the Godolphin blue, and was third after briefly leading in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup in October.

“He's an Ebor winner who was able to make the step-up to group class when he was third in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day at Ascot, so you would like to think he will continue to develop into a good stayer,” the younger Gosden said. “But this is a very good race, not least with the return of Subjectivist, and he faces very tough competition in a very competitive handicap.”

Japan's Silver Sonic (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) will be cutting back in trip on Saturday, after running out an 3/4-length winner of the 3600-metre G2 Sports Nippon Sho Stayers S. first off a seven-month hiatus on Dec. 3. The Shadai colourbearer is slotted into post one, near Darius Racing and Michael Motschmann's 2021 G1 Deutsches Derby victor Sisfahan (Fr) (Isfahan {Ger}), who leaves from stall three for trainer Henk Grewe. In between them is the outstandingly well-bred Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), third in the G3 Sagaro S. for owners Tracey Bell and Caroline Lyons, from the yard of Ian Williams. If the last-named were to triumph, he would be the fourth group winner for his stakes-winning dam Prudenzia (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). –Heather Anderson

Missed The Cut A Warm Order For Neom Turf Cup

Can George Boughey and Oisin Murphy get off to the best possible start together with Missed The Cut (Quality Road) in the G3 Neom Turf Cup?

Murphy has committed to riding Boughey's Royal Ascot winner this season and they will be bidding to get off to the best possible start in the $1.5-million contest.

Missed The Cut is a short-priced favourite to get his campaign off with a bang and Boughey says that he is happy from what he is seeing from the 4-year-old in the build-up to the race.

“We're happy with him,” Boughey said. “He beat the Dubai World Cup favourite [Algiers {Ire} (Shamardal)] on the all-weather at Lingfield back in November and he comes here in super shape so we are looking forward to it.

“The Algiers form is obviously good form. Algiers has taken his form to a different level on the dirt in Meydan and this is a whole different kettle of fish for Missed The Cut. It is a tight 10 and a bit furlongs [2100m] around the turf here. He has got plenty of pace and I'm hoping he should go well.”

Missed The Cut could face stiffest opposition from fellow British raiders Sir Busker (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), trained by William Knight, and John and Thady Gosden's Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

John Gosden said, “Mostahdaf is training well having had a nice break after the Arc when he didn't handle the very heavy conditions.

“He looks great and seems to be enjoying the warmer climate. He is a lightly raced colt, still with plenty of potential and he has Group-winning form between 10 and 12 furlongs [2000m to 2400m].”

The trainer added, “We don't have any campaign mapped out for him yet, we would like to take it step-by-step, but I'd be hopeful of a good showing tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Sir Busker comes into the Neom Cup off the back of a blowout under Ryan Moore on the all-weather, and the leading jockey remains loyal in Saturday's contest.

Knight said, “He's been in good order here and he arrives on the back of career-best form last year with a Group 2 win and a Group 1 place.

“He has come out of his prep a few weeks ago at Lingfield very well and Ryan Moore is back on him. We're hopeful of a big run.”

Bahrain-based veteran trainer Allan Smith will be hoping to grab the headlines with Byline (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}). Consistent throughout his career, the six-year-old comes into the contest after finishing third in the Listed Crown Prince Cup over 2000m on Feb. 3.

Speaking after morning track work on Friday, Smith said, “He breezed very well today. He galloped out good and was clean-winded. I'm very pleased with him.”

In 2021, Al Adiyat and Smith were a close second in the 1351 Turf Sprint on Saudi Cup day with Dark Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). This year, they bring a similarly overlooked type into the meeting. Veteran jockey Gerald Mosse takes the reins from post three.

“He's taken everything in stride since he arrived and is a happy horse,” Smith continued. “There wasn't much to do with him since he got over here from Bahrain. He's had a nice busy season and ran just a couple weeks ago. He ran a good race, but was a bit unlucky with a high draw and being wide throughout the entire race. He's better than that.

“He ran 10 furlongs [2000m] last time and this race is a little farther than that, but Bahrain has a big, sweeping track and this is a tighter track, which makes me think the distance won't be a problem. He's doing very well and we're hopeful for a good run.” —Brian Sheerin

MISSED THE CUT was unraced one year ago. He is now a Royal Ascot winner, a Listed winner and lines up in the Neom Turf at @thesaudicup on Saturday.

His trainer @gbougheyracing has been flying since last year and has had multiple international wins. #TeamBritishRacing pic.twitter.com/Ppn6uVXVoH

— GBRI (@GBRI_UK) February 21, 2023

Lemaire Bids To Call The Tune Again On Songline

While Richard Hannon is doubly represented in the following G3 1351 Turf Sprint by Happy Romance (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) and Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), the race appears to be dominated by Japanese-trained runners, including last year's winner Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}).

Trained by Toru Hayashi, Songline will again be partnered by Christophe Lemaire, who rode four winners on this card 12 months ago.

Lemaire said of Songline's chances of a repeat win aboard the Japanese raider, “I think she is in better condition than last year. If I remember correctly last year, when I rode her in the morning, she was a little bit stiff. Today, I felt she was very smooth and her footwork was very good so I am more confident than last year.”

He added, “She will have to show that she is a Group 1 horse. She had some issues last autumn but this morning she looked brilliant. All the staff did their best to bring the mare at her best for Saturday. She can stay the mile so it means that, if the pace is strong, you will need stamina in the last furlong. She has got that stamina.”

Lauda Sion (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}), winner of the G1 NHK Mile Cup in Japan, returns to the race he finished fourth in last year. He had a breeze on the dirt track under jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev on Friday and was reported by connections to be in good form.

Shigeki Todo, assistant to trainer Takashi Saito, said, “We prefer giving just a stretching-out breeze rather than fast gallop on the week of the race–it is our stable's routine. He looked under control this morning with the jockey which I always want to see.”

Hannon's Happy Romance was third to Songline in this race last year and, along with Lusail, makes up a strong challenge for the trainer.

Hector Tournier, representing Hannon, said, “Both horses have done the work they needed at home. They travelled well and are easy horses.” —Brian Sheerin

My Map Looks To Stay Unbeaten in Derby

Locally based My Map (Liam's Map) looks to run his unbeaten mark to five-from-five as he takes on an international group in the $1.5-million G3 Saudi Derby Cup Saturday evening.

Winner of a pair of starts over the summer season at Ta'if, he returned from a three-month freshening to take a local allowance over 1400 metres and made it four in a row in the Saudi Derby Qualifier Jan. 27, defeating Almulhem (More Than Ready) by 2 1/4 lengths, with Atta Alghali (Karakontie {Jpn}) a further half-length adrift in third. My Map drew 13 of 13.

Japan took the first two runnings of the Derby and will have a strong chance to add to that total here. Continuar (Jpn) (Drefong) makes his 3-year-old debut Saturday, having won two of his three trips to the post at home, including the Cattleya S. conditions race that serves as the first leg on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby at Tokyo Nov. 26. His lone defeat came in his second career start at the hooves of Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), who would go on to annex the second leg of the Kentucky Derby series, the Dec. 14 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun. Third that day was Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), recent winner of the Listed Hyacinth S. to climb to the top of the Derby leaderboard. From Dusk (Bolt d'Oro), Group 2-placed on turf, and Ecoro Ares (Unified) look like fringe players from the barn of Hideyuki Mori, who saddled Full Flat (Speightstown) in 2020 and the late Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) the following year.

Bob Baffert won last year's renewal with Pinehurst (Twirling Candy) and is represented here by Havnameltdown (Uncaptured). Campaigned exclusively over six and seven furlongs to date, the Florida-bred won the GIII Bob Hope S. in November and tacked on a 1 1/2-length success in the GII San Vicente S. Jan. 29. He tries to see out the mile here with Frankie Dettori in the irons. —Alan Carasso

WATCH: My Map makes it four out of four in the Saudi Derby Qualifier

From 'Prince' To King In Dirt Sprint?

Like many of the Saudi Cup night races, there is a high class Japanese presence in one form or another, and in the $1.5-million G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint Presented By Sports Boulevard, three runners from the Land of the Rising Sun have signed on.

Chizu Yoshida's Dancing Prince (Jpn) (Pas de Trois {Jpn}) is back to defend his title in the 1200-metre dirt feature, and will leave from stall seven in the nine-horse race under Damian Lane.

More likely to wind up in the winner's circle than not, the Chizu Yoshida runner has only lost once since his victory here, and defeated the re-opposing Ryuno Yukina (Jpn) (Vermilion {Jpn}) going this trip at Morioka in the Listed JBC Sprint on Nov. 3.

However, there is also a strong American contingent headed by Juddmonte's Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Elite Power (Curlin), who has won his last five starts for Hall of Famer Bill Mott. Frankie Dettori is booked for the entire, who splits the nine-horse field in gate five. A 1 1/4-length victor in the GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint in November, the 5-year-old is not the only Breeders' Cup participant, as GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile fourth and GI Hopeful S. scorer Gunite (Gun Runner) enters fresh off a victory in the Jan. 28 Listed King Cotton S. at Oaklawn Park. The Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred leaves from stall two with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons for trainer Steve Asmussen, who recently celebrated his 10,000th career victory.

“Gunite has been training really well and as evidenced by his first performance as a 4-year-old, he's doing quite well,” said David Fiske, who manages owner/breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds' racing and bloodstock. “I get videos almost every day of him since arriving in Saudi Arabia and he seems to be doing great there. The race has been in the back of our minds as an early goal since the Breeders' Cup. His race in the King Cotton increased our confidence that he could be effective in a race that, on paper, might appear to be a little short for him, distance-wise.” –Heather Anderson

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In an 18-horse field, Songline settled behind Salios (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and in front of Schnell Meister in midpack as the field cruised down the backstretch at a leisurely pace. Making headway while shifting to the outside before the final turn, the 7-1 chance picked up the tempo, catching Salios in deep stretch before fending off Schnell Meister by a neck at the wire. In their previous meeting, the filly finished a nose behind Schnell Meister in last season's G1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo.

“I'm just relieved and happy that I was able to live up to the team's expectations,” said winning rider Kenichi Ikezoe. “It was a tight schedule for the filly, but the staff at the stables prepared her remarkably. She broke well and I decided to settle her behind Salios, who rushed up in front of us. Trying not to make the same mistake as last time, we made an early bid before the last corner and she responded well and stretched all the way for a strong finish.”

In her two previous starts this year, Songline won the G3 1351 Turf Sprint at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Saudi Arabia Feb. 26, before closing late to finish fifth in the May 15 G1 Victoria Mile, a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race for the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Pedigree Notes:
Already the sire of 18 stakes winners with his oldest foals just 5-year-olds, Kizuna has 11 group winners, including G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup heroine Akai Ito (Jpn), who is also out of a Symboli Kris S mare. Songline, who is the second Group 1 scorer for her young sire, is the first foal out of her four-time winning dam who specialized at 1200-1400 metres. Her dam, a half-sister to dual Japanese group winner Jeune Ecole (Jpn) (Kurofune), did not produce a foal to the cover of Real Steel (Jpn) in 2020. Luminous Parade has a yearling colt by Real Impact (Jpn) and visited Songline's sire Kizuna in 2021.

Under the unraced third dam are group winners Renforcer (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S), Northern River (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}) and the G1 Shuka Sho/G1 Nassau S. heroine Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}). The Classic-winning French champion 3-yearold filly Sonic Lady (Nureyev) is the fourth dam and boasts the Classic-placed Furner's Green (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and Lady Lupus (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), both group winners.

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
YASUDA KINEN-G1, ¥347,460,000, Tokyo, 6-5, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:32.30, fm.
1–SONGLINE (JPN), 123, f, 4, Kizuna (Jpn)
1st Dam: Luminous Parade (Jpn), by Symboli Kris S
2nd Dam: Luminous Point (Jpn), by Agnes Tachyon (Jpn)
3rd Dam: Soninke (GB), by Machiavellian
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm;
T-Toru Hayashi; J-Kenichi Ikezoe; ¥183,822,000. Lifetime
Record: 11-5-2-1. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Schnell Meister (Ger), 128, c, 4, Kingman (GB)–
Serienholde (Ger), by Soldier Hollow (GB). O-Sunday Racing;
B-Northern Farm; ¥73,092,000.
3–Salios (Jpn), 128, h, 5, Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Salomina (Ger), by
Lomitas (GB). O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥45,546,000.
Margins: NK, HD, HF; Odds: 7.20, 3.90, 14.7.
Also Ran: Serifos (Jpn), Fine Rouge (Jpn), Danon the Kid (Jpn),
Air Lolonois (Jpn), Elusive Panther (Jpn), Naran Huleg (Jpn), Lotus Land, Resistencia (Jpn), Ho O Amazon (Jpn), Soul Rush (Jpn), Diatonic (Jpn), Vin de Garde (Jpn), Karate (Jpn), Cafe Pharoah, Catedral (Jpn).
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Click for the JRA chart and video.

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After besting Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the age-restricted G1 NHK Mile Cup at this course and distance last May, Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) was a cracking third to Danon Kingly (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and the enormously talented Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in this event before turning the tables on Danon Kingly in the G2 Mainichi Okan over 1800 metres in October. He found only Gran Alegria too strong in the G1 Mile Championship in November, but was a highly disappointing eighth in the Dubai Turf on seasonal debut Mar. 26.

“The results were unfortunate in Dubai,” said trainer Takahisa Tezuka. “They weren't representative of his ability. After the race, I sent him to the farm for two months. He recovered right away, and things have all gone smoothly since returning to the stable. His physique has changed since he turned four and he's much more of a miler now. The change to the Tokyo 1,600 meters should be a plus.”

4c SCHNELL MEISTER (Kingman) didn't show up in Dubai where he should have been winning.

Forget it happened, they have reset him and he is flying.

(inside horse)pic.twitter.com/YXwTINDkkG

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) June 1, 2022

Fine Rouge (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) was narrowly beaten in the G1 Shuka Sho going 10 furlongs last October, but has a pair of strong efforts at the mile under her belt this term. Second to the in-form Elusive Panther (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) when blocked at a crucial stage of the G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai at headquarters Feb. 6, the bay bobbled when about to commence her rally in the sex-restricted G1 Victoria Mile May 15 and could not quite reel in the classy Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune {Jpn}).

“She hasn't been able to give it all she has in her last two starts, but she's run consistently,” said Yu Ota, assistant to trainer Tetsuya Kimura. “I think she can compete well against male horses. If she can go to the gate in good shape and get a smooth trip, things should go well.”

Elusive Panther was having his first run of the season in the Tokyo Shimbun Hai and carries a four-race winning streak overall into what is clearly his toughest task to date.

Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) has a similarly progressive profile to Elusive Panther and while it appears he handles any underfoot conditions, he does seem to up his game when there is juice in the ground. The dark bay rattled home from third last to run down Ho O Amazon (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in the Apr. 24 G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup at Hanshin over a course listed as good, but which appeared to be easier than that.

Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah), a two-time winner of the G1 February S. on the local dirt track, tries the grass for just the second time in his career, while dual Group 3 victress Lotus Land (Point of Entry) stretches back out to arguably her best trip, having attacked the line to be runner-up to Naran Huleg (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}) in the six-furlong G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen Mar. 27.

He's already earned a spot to #BC22 in the @Longines #BreedersCup Classic, but Cafe Pharoah is switching to turf for this weekend's #WinAndYoureIn Yasuda Kinen! @JRA_WorldRacing https://t.co/utzeguzhLv

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) June 2, 2022

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Several of Sunday's entrants are on a similar trajectory to those world-class gallopers, including Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who completed the Filly Triple Crown in 2020 and makes her first appearance since finishing third to countrymates Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 FWD QE II Cup over 2000 metres last April. She has since recovered from ligamentitis in her right foreleg and is capable of a good showing first-up.

“She feels a little bigger now, but I've been able to see her improvement these past three weeks,” her jockey Kohei Matsuyama commented. “A mile might be her best trip now. It will be her first time over a mile at Tokyo, but she's won over a mile, so it shouldn't be a problem. It feels like a fresh start with her now, so I want to do my best.”

Runner-up to the high-class Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) in last year's G1 NHK Mile Cup over Sunday's course and distance, Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) won Tokyo's 1600-metre G2 Fuji S. last October and most recently gave Japan one of its four winners on the Saudi Cup program Feb. 26, taking out the G3 1351 Turf.

“She ran well in last year's NHK Mile Cup and Fuji S., both over a mile at Tokyo, so I think she can run a big race in the Victoria Mile, too,” jockey Kenichi Ikezoe said. “The field's strong this time as well, but I think Songline has a good enough chance and I look forward to her run on the day.”

Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) proved narrowly best in last year's G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) going the metric mile and defeated Loves Only You in the 2000-metre G2 Sapporo Kinen in August. Following a pair of below-par performances, she hinted at better to come with a strong third in the G1 February S. over the local dirt course Feb. 20 and gets back to perhaps her best game Sunday.

SODASHI fast work this morning ahead of mayhem in Sunday's G1 Victoria Mile

(ps. she is the white one, the happy looking one) pic.twitter.com/tAo0USvLIk

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) May 11, 2022

Resistencia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), sixth to Gran Alegria here a year ago, came from off the speed to be second in an incident-marred G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) in December, then made the running in the six-furlong G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen Mar. 27 before yielding late to be sixth. Quieter riding tactics may be in the cards Sunday.

Fresh off a trip to the GI Kentucky Derby, Christophe Lemaire takes the ride on Fine Rouge (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) here. Third in the Guineas and second in the G1 Shuka Sho in October, she resumed with a sound runner-up effort in the G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai over track and trip Feb. 6 and has been trained to peak Sunday.

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When the layers are peeled back on the third running of the Saudi Cup card, however, it was another nation who made the biggest statement. Japan swept the first four international races on the card and finished second and third in the G3 Saudi Derby. In other words, the only race in which Japan did not hit the board was the Saudi Cup.

While Saudi Cup Day marked a breakout performance for Japan on the world stage, it was far from its first-the dust had still barely settled on Japan's two-win days at both the Breeders' Cup and Hong Kong International Meeting last year-and in fact, the crescendo has been rising for years. Japan's increasing frequency of success on racing's biggest days have gone hand-in-hand with the internationalization of its industry in recent decades, and indeed each of the nation's winners and placegetters on Saudi Cup Day boast pedigrees that have criss-crossed the continents for generations.

Undoubtedly the most major turning point in the history of Japanese breeding came when Zenya Yoshida–the father of current-day Japanese breeding doyens Teruya, Katsumi and Haruya Yoshida-purchased American Classic winner Sunday Silence to stand at stud at Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido, reportedly paying $7.5-million for 75% of the horse in 1991 (Yoshida had purchased 25% of Sunday Silence in training so was buying out his partners on the remainder). Sunday Silence, the 10-time champion sire in Japan, had his presence felt on Saudi Cup day not only through his best-known son Deep Impact (Jpn), whose son Kizuna (Jpn) sired the G3 1351 Turf Sprint winner Songline (Jpn), but also through another son, Stay Gold (Jpn), and his own son in turn Orfevre (Jpn).

Stay Gold (Jpn) was a member of Sunday Silence's third crop and was his sire's first major international winner, traveling to take the Dubai Sheema Classic and Hong Kong Vase. Stay Gold has sired 56 stakes winners and 10 Group 1 winners and Stay Foolish (Jpn), a member of Stay Gold's last full crop, joined his sire as an international winner with a victory in the 3000-metre G3 Red Sea Turf H., defeating the G1 Irish St Leger scorer Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}).

Another of Stay Gold's international winners-and, in fact, the second-richest racehorse in history-was Orfevre (Jpn), the Japanese Triple Crown and two-time G1 Arima Kinen scorer who is probably best known internationally for twice finishing second in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, including when he famously snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when hanging badly inside the final furlong while on the lead in 2012, once again dashing Japan's still unfulfilled Arc dreams.

Orfevre's Authority (Jpn) was already a triple group-race winner in Japan but he landed on the public radar in November when finishing second to Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Japan Cup, and he kicked off Japan's four-timer on Saudi Cup Day when justifying favouritism in the 2100-metre G3 Neom Turf Cup. Orfevre is also the sire of last year's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Marche Lorraine (Jpn), who was sixth in her final start in the Saudi Cup.

Authority and Stay Foolish's victories bookended the filly Songline in the 1351 Turf Sprint, and she became the first stakes winner over 1200 metres for her exciting young sire Kizuna, a Japanese Derby-winning son of Deep Impact. Kizuna is another to have represented Japan admirably on the world stage: racing for the Maeda family, which regularly supplements its stock with American bloodlines, Kizuna traveled to France to beat the Derby winner Ruler Of The World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Prix Niel and was fourth behind Treve (Fr) and Orfevre (Jpn) in the 2014 Arc.

Another sire story of the day belonged to Symboli Kris S, broodmare sire of both Authority and Songline. Symboli Kris S was bred in Kentucky by Takahiro Wada and like Sunday Silence descends from the Hail To Reason line, he through Roberto and Kris S. Symboli Kris S was exported to Japan for his racing career and was highly successful, winning two renewals each of the G1 Arima Kinen and G1 Tenno Sho Autumn before retiring to Shadai. The best of Symboli Kris S's five Group 1 winners thus far has been the G1 Japan Cup and Classic-winning Epiphaneia (Jpn) and he, incidentally, is a full-brother to Authority's dam Rosalind (Jpn). Epiphaneia and Rosalind are out of Cesario (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}) who, like Stay Gold, was a pioneering Japanese shipper, traveling to California to win the GI American Oaks by four lengths in 2005 after taking the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks). Cesario has become an excellent producer; in addition to Epiphaneia and Rosalind, she is the dam of the 2015 champion 2-year-old colt Leontes (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}); Saturnalia (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), a Group 1 winner at two and a Classic winner, and two other Group 2-placed winners. Songline is a descendant of European champion filly Sonic Lady (Nureyev), and it is also the family of Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), who scored a hugely popular victory when winning the G1 Nassau S. at Glorious Goodwood in 2019 before staying on to train in Newmarket and traveling the world to run in Group 1s.

Dancing Prince (Jpn) (Pas De Trois {Jpn}), Japan's fourth winner on Saudi Cup Day in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, brings together influences of Mr. Prospector, Halo and Northern Dancer through their Japanese imported sons End Sweep, Sunday Silence and Northern Taste, respectively. The 7-year-old Dancing Prince, who won the G3 Capella S. on Dec. 12, is the most successful horse sired by the multiple Group 3-winning turf sprinter Pas de Trois, whose sire Swept Overboard won the GI Ancient Title S. in 2001 and the GI Met Mile in 2002. Swept Overboard was sold to stand in Japan upon the conclusion of his racing career and his best runner is Omega Perfume (Jpn), who won four straight renewals of the Tokyo Daishoten, a local Group 1, including the most recent renewal in December. Swept Overboard's sire and grandsire, End Sweep and Forty Niner, were both champion first-season sires in America before being sold to stand in Japan.

Dancing Prince is out of a mare by Bubble Gum Fellow (Jpn), a champion 2-year-old from Sunday Silence's first crop. His second dam, Sawayaka Princess (Northern Taste), produced the G1 Mile Championship winner Durandal (Jpn) (Sunday Silence). Japan was also third and fourth in the Dirt Sprint with Chain Of Love (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and defending winner Copano Kicking (Spring At Last).

When it comes to passion for horse racing, it would be tough to top the Japanese. There is an incredible betting culture and fandom surrounding the sport in Japan, and international success seems to directly fuel not only increased global participation, but also the spend on bloodstock: just days removed from the nation's Breeders' Cup double with Marche Lorraine and Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Japanese breeders headed to the Kentucky breeding stock sales and purchased 13 seven-figure mares, including the Classic-winning filly Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) for $4.7-million and four additional mares that topped $3-million.

Now, Japan is poised to bring an unprecedented squad to Dubai World Cup night that currently numbers 24. Authority and Stay Foolish are on the lists, respectively, for the G1 Sheema Classic and G2 Gold Cup. Sekifu (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), who was runner-up in the G3 Saudi Derby, is pencilled in for the G2 UAE Derby. Among those set to join Authority in the Sheema Classic are Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the back-to-back winner of the G1 Hong Kong Vase, and last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun and G1 Yushun Himba scorers Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Uberleben (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}). Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}), who was bred in Germany but is campaigned in Japan by Sunday Racing and beat Songline in last year's G1 NHK Mile Cup, is among those earmarked for the G1 Dubai Turf, while Vin De Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was runner-up in the 1800 metre event last year, is set to return. Copano Kicking and Chain Of Love lead the Japanese squad for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Japanese dirt star Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) will line up for the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup.

Those are just a handful of the runners that could give Japan another night to remember in Dubai later this month. And regardless of the outcomes at Meydan, it is an odds-on bet that the global racing community will continue to see the effects of Japan's incredible investment in and commitment to its racing and breeding programme.

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The Listed Kobai S. went to Songline last January, and, after an unplaced run in the G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas that April, she improved to second in the G1 NKH Mile Cup in May. The bay dropped a spot in the G3 Sekiya Kinen returning off a break in August of last year, but then stepped up to win the 1600-metre G2 Fuji S. on Oct. 23. A final 2021 run in the G2 Hanshin Cup resulted in a 15th-place finish, but she was still the third choice on Saturday.

Songline raced in midfield as Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) cut out the running with Pogo (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) and Third Kingdom (GB) (Make Believe {GB}) shadowing his hoofsteps. The pace was hot as the field entered the turn and the 4-year-old filly was still several lengths off the vanguard cornering for home. Lemaire steered Songline out into the center of the course, and she began to let down as Naval Crown clung on to the lead with a quarter mile remaining. Happy Romance (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) was making a similar move to Songline's inside as Naval Crown and Pogo faded, and just a length behind the top four was the ominous presence of American Grade I winner Casa Creed.

It was a true rubber match between the determined fillies, with the two exchanging blows and neither giving an inch in the straight. Songline thrust her nose in front of Happy Romance with 50 metres to travel, but Casa Creed had hit high gear and had reached her saddle towel on her outside. Songline's margin shrank with every stride, but she just lasted as Casa Creed snatched second by a neck over a gritty Happy Romance as the trio finished in a tightly packed bunch. There was a gap of 3 1/2 lengths back to Lauda Sion (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}) in fourth.

Trainer Toru Hayashi said, “This is the greatest moment of my career. I have been training for only four years and it is my first time racing a horse outside of Japan, so for Songline to do this… I think I am dreaming!

“She is such a brilliant filly and the ride from [Christophe] Lemaire was perfect. The owners also deserve great credit for their ambition in coming here. As a 3-year-old last year she raced well in this counter-clockwise direction over a mile and she has a lot of natural speed, so we thought we could run well coming back in distance a little.

“Thanks also to Authority (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) from Japan for winning the first race. That made me think we had the momentum and that Songline could also run well, and it is amazing that she did!”

Of Casa Creed's second, rider Luis Saez said, “We ran pretty good. He finished strong. After the second jump we were getting there but it was too late.”

“She's run absolutely superbly,” said hoop Tom Marquand. “I think it's [a] testament to her heart more than anything that she could come out here and run so well. To be honest, we were hoping for that, but it's tough racing out here so for her to have gone so close is great.”

Pedigree Notes

Already the sire of 16 stakes winners with his oldest foals just 5-year-olds, Kizuna has 10 group winners among that bunch with G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup heroine Akai Ito (Jpn) leading the way. She is out of a Symboli Kris S mare, just like the 1351 Turf winner.

The first foal out of her four-time winning dam who specialized at 1200-1400metres, Songline is followed by the winning 3-year-old Teegarden (Jpn), by Duramente (Jpn). Her dam, a half-sister to dual Japanese group winner Jeune Ecole (Jpn) (Kurofune), did not produce a foal to the cover of Real Steel (Jpn) in 2020. Luminous Parade has a yearling colt by Real Impact (Jpn) and visited Songline's sire Kizuna in 2021.

Under the unraced third dam are the group winners Renforcer (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S), Northern River (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}) and the G1 Shuka Sho/G1 Nassau S. heroine Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}). The Classic-winning French champion 3-year-old filly Sonic Lady (Nureyev) is the fourth dam and boasts the Classic-placed descendants Furner's Green (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and Lady Lupus (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), both also group winners.
Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
1351 TURF PRESENTED BY STC 1351-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-26, 4yo/up, 1351mT, 1:18.00, gd.
1–SONGLINE (JPN), 121, f, 4, Kizuna (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Luminous Parade (Jpn), by Symboli Kris S.
                2nd Dam: Luminous Point (Jpn), by Agnes Tachyon (Jpn)
                3rd Dam: Soninke (GB), by Machiavellian
O-Sunday Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Toru
Hayashi; J-Chistophe Lemaire; $900,000. Lifetime Record: GSW
& G1SP-Jpn, 9-4-2-1, $2,187,655. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
   *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Casa Creed, 125, h, 6, Jimmy Creed–Achalaya, by Bellamy
Road. ($15,000 Ylg '17 OBSJAN; $105,000 Ylg '17 KEESEP).
O-LR Racing LLC & JEH Racing Stable LLC; B-Silver Springs Stud,
LLC (KY); T-William Mott; J-Luis Saez; $300,000.
3–Happy Romance (Ire), 121, f, 4, Dandy Man (Ire)–Rugged Up
(Ire), by Marju (Ire). (£25,000 Ylg '19 GOFAUG). O-The
McMurray Family; B-Redpender Stud Ltd (Ire); T-Richard
Hannon; J-Tom Marquand; $150,000.
Margins: NK, NK, 3HF.
Also Ran: Lauda Sion (Jpn), Pogo (Ire), Happy Power (Ire), Rohaan (Ire), Cold Front (GB), Masaabeeh (KSA), Horoscope (Ire), Naval Crown (GB), Entscheiden (Jpn), Third Kingdom (GB), Thunder Moon (Ire). Click for the Racing Post chart and VIDEO.  Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

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