Tag: T O Keynes

Lemon Pop Has Work Cut Out In Champions Cup

Godolphin's Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) has been the best dirt horse in Japan this year at distances up to a mile, but the 5-year-old faces a stamina-stretching test from a horrible draw when he faces 14 others in Sunday's G1 Champions Cup (1800m) at Chukyo Racecourse.

A $70,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase, the chestnut won the G3 Negishi S. over 1400 metres at Toyko in January and silenced those who questioned his ability to stay an extra furlong when running out a comfortable winner of the G1 February S. the following month. Sent to Dubai for the G1 Golden Shaheen over a 1200-metre journey that was too sharp, he was only 10th, but rebounded with a front-running romp in the Listed Mile Championship Nambu Hai Oct. 9. He tries a two-turn route for the first time and Ryusei Sakai will have to judge it right from the 15 hole.

“While there is a worry about the 1800 metres this time, and how balanced he might be in the run, he's been successful so far, so we can only think of him making a big challenge here,” said trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka. “It'll be interesting to see what kind of race he can run. We'll rely on the jockey to get the best out of him.”

 

 

 

Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) was an unlucky loser of this year 12 months ago, but has put together a very formidable record this season. Fifth to Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai World Cup in March at Meydan–site of his 2022 G2 UAE Derby score–the dark bay was just beaten by Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro) in the valuable Listed Teio Sho June 28 and overwhelmed compatriot Gloria Mundi (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) by 10 lengths in the G3 Korea Cup at Seoul Sept. 10.

“There are some strong horses in the race again this year, but with the condition he's in, it should put him right up there with them,” commented trainer Koichi Shintani. “He hasn't been losing by much in his previous races, and the way he won last time in Korea certainly gives us confidence here.”

T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister), the 2021 Champions Cup winner and fourth last year, has acquitted himself well without winning this term. Fourth in the World Cup, he was a head behind Crown Pride in the Teio Sho and third to the progressive King's Sword (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) and Notturno (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the Listed JBC Classic Nov. 3.

Three-year-old Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) is the X-factor in the Champions Cup, as he is perfect from his five starts to date, all this season. After winning his first four in the lower grades, he rattled home from the latter half of the field to stamp his authority on Kyoto's G3 Miyako S. Nov. 5, pulling away to best Make a Leap (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) by three emphatic lengths.

A pair of females are in this year's line-up, including JBC Ladies' Classic heroine Icon Tailor (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), and Ater Astraea (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), beaten 4 1/2 lengths into third in the same event.`

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Meisho Hario Runs Down Crown Pride In Teio Sho

Produced wide off the final corner, Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro) knuckled down late and was shoved across the line by Suguru Hamanaka to just touch off perfect-trip Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) to become the first horse to successfully defend his title in the 2000-metre Teio Sho at Ohi Racecourse. T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister), fourth at 1-2 last year and the 2-1 favourite this time around, kicked on strongly between the top two in the final 30 metres, but was forced to settle for third.

Meisho Hario bounced alertly from gate four, but drifted back through the field, as Silk Racing's well-backed Promised Warrior (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior) made the running. Crown Pride, the 2022 G2 UAE Derby winner, landed in the box seat for Yuga Kawada, while T O Keynes raced in that one's slipstream a few lengths in arrears. Riding for luck into the straight, Kawada sent Crown Pride through inside of a weakening Promised Warrior with a furlong to travel and set sail for the wire, but Meisho Hario kept grinding away farther out into the track and got the better of the bobber.

Meisho Hario returned 18-1 when besting mutliple G1 Dubai World Cup placer Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in this event 12 months ago and closed the season with a third to future World Cup hero Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the Dec. 29 G1 Tokyo Daishoten over Wednesday's course and distance. An excellent third to Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) in the G1 February S. Feb. 19, Meisho Hario was exiting a victory in the Listed Kashiwa Kinen at NAR Funabashi May 4.

A half-brother to T O Royal, third to Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the 2022 G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) over 3200 metres, Meisho Hario has a 2-year-old half-brother by Drefong, a yearling half-brother by Bricks and Mortar and a half-sister by Rey de Oro (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) foaled May 17. Third dam Amizette (Forty Niner), a full-sister to former Japanese-based stallion Twining and a half to American champion Althea, produced European MGSW King of Rome (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and US GSW/GISP Super Espresso (Medaglia d'Oro).

Wednesday's Results:
TEIO SHO (Jpn-G1)-Listed, ¥136,000,000 (£745,008/€862,648/$941,392), Oi, 6-28, 4yo/up, 2000m, 2:01.90, gd.
1–MEISHO HARIO (JPN), 126, h, 6, Pyro–Meisho Ohi (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). O-Yoshio Matsumoto; B-Mishima Bokujo;   T-Inao Okada; J-Suguru Hamanaka; ¥80,000,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & MG1SP-Jpn, 22-9-2-4, ¥451,305,000. *1/2 to T O Royal (Leontes {Jpn}), GSW & G1SP-Jpn, $1,322,843.
2–Crown Pride (Jpn), 126, c, 4, Reach the Crown (Jpn)–Emmy's Pride (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). O-Teruya Yoshida; B-Shadai Farm; ¥28,000,000.
3–T O Keynes (Jpn), 126, h, 6, Sinister Minister–Maxim Cafe (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). O-Tomoya Ozasa; B-Yanagawa Bokujo; ¥16,000,000.
Margins: NO, HD, 4. Odds: 2.90, 6.30, 2.00.
Click for the goracing.jp chart.

 

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T O Keynes Stands Out in Champions Cup

Horse for the course T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) appears a very tough nut to crack in Sunday's G1 Champions Cup (ex Japan Cup Dirt) at Chukyo Racecourse, a race in which he bolted up by a half-dozen lengths over the classy Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) twelve months ago.

The 5-year-old earned a berth in the 2022 G1 Saudi Cup with his victory here last year, but he was disappointing in eighth behind Emblem Road (Quality Road) in Riyadh back in February. He regrouped and validated odds-on favouritism in this track's G3 Heian S. in May and was fourth in the Listed Teio Sho June 29 before bouncing back to defeat this year's G2 UAE Derby hero Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) in the valuable Listed JBC Classic over the metric mile and a quarter at Morioka Nov. 3.

“He ran a strong race last year, so I'd like things to be the same this time too,” said jockey Kohei Matsuyama. “His experience overseas has helped him mature more. He took a bit of time to recover from his last race, but just recently in training he's done things in his usual way and has responded well.”

Thirteenth in the GI Kentucky Derby following his Meydan success, Crown Pride was given plenty of time to recover from his travels and resumed with a narrow loss in the Listed Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Sept. 28. He made the running in the JBC Classic and held well, but was no match for the classy T O Keynes late and will try to even the score while backing up to 1800 metres Sunday.

Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn}) made a successful switch from dirt to turf to win last weekend's G1 Japan Cup and Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) looks an entirely different proposition since moving from the grass to the dirt. A four-time winner and stakes-placed from 21 turf starts, the bay was runner-up in listed company in his main-track bow in July and has since won the Listed BSN Sho in July and the G3 Sirius S. over course and distance Oct. 1, defeating the 3-year-old Hapi (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and Auvergne (Jpn) (Smart Falcon {Jpn}).

 

WATCH: #13 T O Keynes reels in #4 Crown Pride in the JBC Classic

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Efforia Named Japanese Horse of the Year

Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) became the first 3-year-old since Orfevre (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in 2011 to be named Japanese Horse of the Year as year-end honors were revealed Tuesday. The Carrot Farm colorbearer received 277 of the 296 possible votes, easily outdistancing the globetrotting Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who received 18 first-place votes for the top prize. Efforia was also unanimously named champion 3-year-old male.

A son of the Heart's Cry (Jpn) mare Katie's Heart (Jpn) and from the same family as fellow Horse of the Year Admire Moon (Jpn) (End Sweep) and multiple champion Hishi Amazon (Theatrical {Ire}), Efforia won the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) to run his record to a perfect four-from-four in April, then was just caught on the wire by Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) the following month. Rested thereafter, Efforia outbattled last year's champion 3-year-old and Triple Crown hero Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to take out the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and closed his season with a sound success in the G1 Arima Kinen late last month. Efforia trains on in 2022

For third straight season, Contrail has taken home championship honors, this time as older male. Sparingly campaigned, the son of Rhodochrosite (Unbridled's Song) was third in a boggy-turf renewal of the G1 Osaka Hai on his 4-year-old debut in April and runner-up in the Tenno Sho before dominating the G1 Longines Japan Cup in his career swansong in November (video).

The exploits of Loves Only You at home and abroad were rewarded with champion older female honors. The 2019 G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) heroine made just two of her six seasonal appearances in Japan, winning the G2 Kyoto Kinen in February ahead of a third to Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic and a victory in the G1 FWD QE II Cup in Hong Kong in April. Runner-up to Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) in the G2 Sapporo Kinen, Loves Only You became the first Japanese winner at the Breeders' Cup meeting, scoring the GI Filly & Mare Turf in dramatic fashion (video) before concluding her career victoriously in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup in December.

Though not as brilliant as in her championship 2-year-old season in 2020, Sodashi was named best of her generation in 2021, winning the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) and the aforementioned Sapporo Kinen over Loves Only You.

Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) successfully defended her title as Japan's champion sprinter/miler, her third championship overall after being named best 3-year-old filly of 2019. Facile winner of the G1 Victoria Mile against fellow females in May, the daughter of the late Tapitsfly (Tapit) fell just short in defense of her crown in the G1 Yasuda Kinen before getting a breather. A gallant third to Efforia in the Tenno Sho, she backed up to arguably her best trip and defeated top 3-year-old miler Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) to win the G1 Mile Championship for the second year in a row in November (video).

With victories in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity and G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, respectively, Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Circle of Life (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) took home top honors in the 2-year-old male and filly divisions. T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) was named champion dirt horse on the strength of a powerhouse score in the G1 Champions Cup, while legendary 10-year-old Oju Chosan (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) was tabbed champion steeplechaser for the fourth time in his career.

 

WATCH: Efforia stamps his authority on the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn)

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