Drawn neatly in gate five in a race that has not been kind to favourites of late, the 1.30 (3-10) chalk secured a midfield position passing the stands for the first time, but drifted back through the pack as 2011 runner-up Unicorn Lion (Ire) (No Nay Never) and the 3-year-old Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) set off at a brisk gallop that saw the opening four furlongs traversed in :46.6.

In the company of Geraldina and Through Seven Seas at the tail of the field as they reached the halfway point, Equinox was still ridden quietly by Christophe Lemaire and they raced with cover before steering out at the 600-metre pole. Happy to sacrifice that considerable ground loss for an uncheckered passage, Equinox was some nine or 10 wide off the final corner, but steamed down the centre of the course–the best ground on the afternoon–and went on to win cosily. Through Seven Seas did not have the luxury of clear sailing and was strung up in traffic at a crucial stage before rattling home to put at least a small scare into those that backed Equinox. Distant second betting choice Justin Palace, backing up significantly in trip after winning the G1 Tenno Sho over two miles last time, predictably kept on well for third.

Sunday's tactics were dramatically different from those used in Dubai three months ago, when they chose to lead with Equinox and he glided effortlessly away. In the end, Lemaire was happy to play the hand he was dealt.

“Though we were unable get a good position toward the front due to the fast pace at the beginning, the horse was relaxed in the rear and I wasn't worried at all,” Lemaire said. As the inner track condition was not so good, we made [our] bid from the outside early and turned wide to the straight where he stretched really well. Hanshin's inner course is tricky and the Takarazuka Kinen is a difficult race to win even for champion horses, so I'm very happy that I was able to win the race with the No. 1 horse in the World's Best Racehorse Rankings. I realized again how strong he is. I hope to win more big races with him in autumn.”

The victory earned Equinox a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in November and also a spot in the G1 Cox Plate, though big-money events at home including the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), G1 Japan Cup and G1 Arima Kinen will naturally be strongly considered. Equinox skipped last year's Japan Cup, but was victorious in the other two races en route to being named Horse of the Year.

Pedigree Notes:

On behalf of Shadai Farm, bloodstock agent Patrick Barbe went to $410,000 to acquire Equinox's fourth dam, Blanche Reine (Fr) (Nureyev) in foal to Alleged at the 1988 Keeneland November Sale and the resulting produce was Maison Blanche, a stakes-placed earner of better than $931,000 for Kazuko Yoshida whose half-brother Balleroy (Kaldoun {Fr}) won the G3 Prix de Guiche and was second in the G1 Prix Jean Prat in 1991. The family remained fairly quiet until Maison Blanche's foal of 2010, Chateau Blanche, did her part to enhance the page, carrying theses same Silk Racing colours when defeating the top-class Marialite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in Group 3 company in 2015.

Chateau Blanche is the dam of three winners from three to the races, a number that also includes Group 3 winner Weiss Meteor (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). She is also the dam of the 2-year-old filly Garza Blanca (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and foaled a full-sister to Equinox Feb. 26.

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
TAKARAZUKA KINEN-G1, ¥423,280,000, Hanshin, 6-25, 3yo/up, 2200mT, 2:11.20, gd/fm.
1–EQUINOX (JPN), 128, c, 4, by Kitasan Black (Jpn)
1st Dam: Chateau Blanche (Jpn), by King Halo (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Blancherie (Jpn), by Tony Bin (Ire)
3rd Dam: Maison Blanche (Jpn), by Alleged
O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Tetsuya Kimura; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥223,696,000. Lifetime Record: Horse of the Year & Ch. 3yo Colt-Jpn, G1SW-UAE, 8-6-2-0, $11,072,697. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Through Seven Seas (Jpn), 123, m, 5, Dream Journey (Jpn)–Mighty Slew (Jpn), by Kurofune. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; ¥89,056,000.
3–Justin Palace (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Palace Rumor, by Royal Anthem. (¥190,000,000 Ylg '20 JRHAJUL). O-Masahiro Miki; B-Northern Farm; ¥55,528,000.
Margins: NK, 1, HD. Odds: 0.30, 54.70, 7.50.
Also Ran: Geraldina (Jpn), Deep Bond (Jpn), Pradaria (Jpn), Boccherini (Jpn), Vela Azul (Jpn), Geoglyph (Jpn), Dura Erede (Jpn), Ask Victor More (Jpn), Breakup (Jpn), Danon the Kid (Jpn), Mozu Bello (Jpn), Unicorn Lion (Ire), Karate (Jpn), Lilac (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart.

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The flashy 4-year-old is the 1.30 (3-10) mortal early doors, but the 2200-metre test has not exactly been kind to favoured runners over the last decade, with only Gold Ship (Jpn) in 2014–before finishing last but one at skinny odds after playing up in the stalls in search of three straight the following year–and Chrono Genesis (Jpn) in 2021 saluting. That said, the race is clearly Equinox's to lose. Second in the G1 Satsuki Sho and G1 Tokyo Yushun last term, he ran down the enterprisingly ridden Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and stamped his authority on the G1 Arima Kinen to wrap up Horse of the Year honours. Leaving nothing to chance at Meydan, Equinox was put on the lead by Christophe Lemaire and when asked to stretch ever so slightly in the straight, opened up at will for a breathtaking 3 1/2-length victory over G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

“[Christophe Lemaire] has been working him and the horse looks good going into the race,” said trainer Tetsuya Kimura. “He was in good condition for last year's Arima Kinen, and he's about the same as that now. It did take him some time to recover from his trip to Dubai. As he develops though, he's showing a lot more power, and that should help him prove himself here.”

Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was also Classic-placed last season, having finished a very good third behind Ask Victor More (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) over 3000 metres. Only seventh in the Arima Kinen, he is perfect in his two runs in 2023, including a 2 1/2-length defeat of the reliable Deep Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) going two miles Apr. 30. Justin Palace cuts back a full five furlongs in trip Sunday, but his connections are nevertheless bullish on his chances.

“His responses and times have been good in training, and he looks better than I had imagined,” said trainer Haruki Sugiyama. “It seems like he's developed more even since his last race and he's well-balanced now, so I hope he can show even more this time.”

Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), whose Horse of the Year dam Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was third at 7-5 in 2013, is already a Group 1 winner over Sunday's 2200-metre trip, having bested her peers in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup last November before running home nicely to be third in the Arima Kinen. She'll need to improve on sixth-place efforts in the G1 Osaka Hai and G1 FWD QE II Cup in Hong Kong. The female set is also represented by Carrot Farm's Through Seven Seas (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}), last-start winner of the G3 Nakayama Himba S. who holds entries for the G1 Irish Champion S. and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn}) was the recipient of a brilliant and audacious ride from Ryan Moore to touch off Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in last year's G1 Japan Cup, but he never threatened when 10th in the Arima Kinen. The registered black entire returns to the turf following a distant 13th to compatriot Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 25.

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A logical case can be made for perhaps as many as nine runners Sunday afternoon, including reigning Horse of the Year Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who looks to bounce back from a lacklustre ninth as the $1.50 (1-2) favourite when making his 4-year-old debut in the G1 Osaka Hai at this venue back in April. In finishing four lengths adrift of the upset-minded Potager (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the Carrot Farm colourbearer was suffering the second defeat of his career, the first coming when pipped by this year's G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the 2021 G1 Tokyo Yushun. Blinkers go on and his latest fast work–with the new equipment–made something of a statement.

“His preparation has gone well, and he's probably in better shape than he was for his last race,” said trainer Yuichi Shikato. “He has been more switched on wearing blinkers in training, and running in between two other horses. It was too bad about his last race, so I want to see the real Efforia this time, and hope that he can show what a talented horse he is and give his best showing in the race.”

Japan's finest EFFORIA final fast ahead G1 2200m Takarazuka Kinen

Flopped Osaka Hai LS after hitting head on Gate

They weren't happy with him last week, blinkers on first time and he reverted back to raging bull mode

11.1 on Miho circle chip #airborne pic.twitter.com/ZKyGOHJv8b

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) June 22, 2022

Leaving votegetter Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) (by a shade less than 3000 votes over Efforia) made all when winning last year's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) by five lengths and, since finishing fifth to Efforia in the G1 Arima Kinen in December, led throughout to win the G2 Nikkei Sho (2500m) in March and the 3200-metre G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) May 1, where he had the talented G2 Qatar Prix Foy hero Deep Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) some seven lengths behind in second. Titleholder's pint-sized older half-sister Melody Lane (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) is one of three females in Sunday's test.

TITLEHOLDER final fast ahead G1 2200m Takarazuka Kinen on Sunday. Number 12

Won G1 3200m Tenno Sho LS, leads x goes hard.

Smooth as silk work, fit and ready to rumble.

2,232,089 people voted, TITLEHOLDER topped the voting with 191,394#HeroIsComing pic.twitter.com/0UwX1xseAo

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) June 22, 2022

Two graduates of this year's Dubai World Cup program could make things tough up front for Titleholder. Authority (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) was one of four winners for Christophe Lemaire on Saudi Cup night when leading them a merry chase in the G3 Neom Turf Cup over an extended 10 furlongs and set the pace in the Sheema before being overhauled late by Shahryar and the fast-finishing Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) took his rivals past every pole to annex the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) by 2 1/2 lengths Feb. 27 and most recently shared the spoils with Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Turf. The 5-year-old is a bit of a question mark at Hanshin and over this distance.

Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) is another with imposing Middle East form, having accounted for Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}) in the G3 Longines Red Sea Cup in Riyadh in February before repeating the dose–albeit from slightly off the speed–in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Mar. 26.

Also not without a chance are the consistent Hishi Iguazu (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), second to Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in December's G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and a running-on fourth in the Osaka Hai; and 2020 Filly Triple Crown heroine Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who was a respectable sixth to multiple champion Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) first off a 15-month absence in last month's G1 Victoria Mile.

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The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 84 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Chrono Genesis, to start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, which will be run at 1 ½ miles on the Del Mar turf course. Breeders' Cup also will provide a travel allowance of $40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.

The odds-on favorite in the 62nd Takarazuka Kinen, Chrono Genesis, a bay daughter of Bago (FR) out of the Kurofune mare Chronologist (JPN), covered the 1 3/8 miles in 2:10.9 over a course listed as good to firm. Trained by Takashi Saito and ridden for the first time by Christophe Lemaire, Chrono Genesis improved her record to eight wins in 15 starts. She also became the third horse this year to earn a “Win and You're In” berth into the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, joining Cool Day (ARG), who won the Gran Premio International Carlos Pellegrini (G1) at Palermo in Argentina, and Love (IRE), who captured Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.

Facing 12 rivals, Chrono Genesis broke well from post seven and settled around fifth while eyeing the 7-2 second choice Lei Papale (JPN), a 4-year-old filly who came into the race unbeaten in six starts. Though surrounded by horses entering the lane, Chrono Genesis waited until finding an open space 300 meters out and exerted a powerful burst of speed with the fastest last 3-furlong drive. She overtook 27-1 Unicorn Lion (IRE) and Lei Papale before reaching the wire with a comfortable 2-1/2-length margin.

“The mare was in very good condition and looked great at the paddock,” said winning rider Lemaire, who replaced the injured Yuichi Kitamura, Chrono Genesis's regular rider, for this race. “We were able to race in good position behind Lei Papale. She stretched really well and was able to run the last 200 meters easily.”

Seventh-pick Unicorn Lion and Lei Papale broke smoothly from the first two stalls and immediately surged out to take the front. Continuing to lead the field with Unicorn Lion setting the pace and Lei Papale pressing the pace in second, the two dueled strongly entering the lane. Though overtaken by Chrono Genesis 100 meters out, Unicorn Lion and Lei Papale held off the rest of the field by two lengths to finish second and third, respectively.

In winning back-to-back Takarazuka Kinen titles, Chrono Genesis became the first horse to do so since Gold Ship (JPN) in 2013 and 2014. Coming off a close runner-up effort in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) in March, this win marked her fourth Group 1 and sixth group-stakes victory. Along with her Takarazuka Kinen and Grade 1 Arima Kinen titles last year, she became the fifth horse and the first mare to win three Grand Prix races. Her career earnings surpassed a billion yen to become the fifth mare to do so after Vodka (JPN), Buena Vista (JPN), Gentildonna (JPN), and Almond Eye (JPN).

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The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 84 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Takarazuka Kinen winner to start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, which will be run at 1 ½ miles on the Del Mar turf course. Breeders' Cup also will provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 in order to receive the rewards.

The Takarazuka Kinen, the fourth Breeders' Cup Challenge race to be held in Japan this year, will be run in a clockwise direction. The race will be televised live on TVG.

Sunday Racing's 5-year-old Chrono Genesis, trained by Takashi Saito, won last year's race by 6 lengths as the 4-1 second choice. A gray daughter of Bago (FR) out of the Kurofune mare Chronologist (JPN), Chrono Genesis has seven wins and has finished out of the money just once in 14 starts. Last year's Takarazuka Kinen triumph was her second Group 1 win, following her October 2019 victory in the Shuka Sho at Kyoto against 3-year-old fillies. Her third Group 1 came last December at Nakayama where she captured the 1 ½-mile Arima Kinen by a neck. In her lone start this year, Chrono Genesis had a rough trip in the closing stages of the 1 ½-mile Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) at Meydan battling in between Loves Only You (JPN) and Mishriff (IRE) to the wire, and finishing second to Mishriff by a neck.

“She got bumped quite badly last time in the Dubai Sheema Classic and it was an unlucky race for her, but she still ran well,” said Saito to JRA.com. “Having returned and completed quarantine at Miki Horseland Park, she then went to Northern Farm Shigaraki to settle back in on her return. She came back to the stable on June 2, and in her first piece of work after that, she seemed a little heavy, but soon got switched on in her usual way of doing things.”

Christophe Lemaire has the mount aboard Chrono Genesis from post seven.

Lei Papale, owned by U Carrot Farm and trained by Tomokazu Takano, has won all six of her races, three of them over the Hanshin course. A 4-year-old bay daughter of Deep Impact (JPN), Lei Papale is coming off a spectacular wire-to-wire win by 4 lengths in the 1 ¼-mile Osaka Hai (G1) at Hanshin on April 4 at 12-1. That victory was her second triumph of the year against males. She closed out 2021 by taking the 1 ¼-mile Challenge Cup (G3) at Hanshin on Dec. 5. “She would certainly be one of the main threats to Chrono Genesis,” said Takano. “There was some concern with the ground last time, but she went straight to the front and ran very cleverly to go on and win well. I put a lot of that down to the jockey's efforts. After that, the horse had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki, and she has recovered from her last race quite quickly and looks to be in good condition.” Her regular jockey Yuga Kawada will once again be in the saddle breaking from post two.

Takashi Suzuki's 5-year-old mare Curren Bouquetd'or (JPN), finished third in the demanding 2-mile Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) over the Hanshin course, beaten 2 ¾ lengths. Trained by Sakae Kunieda, Curren Bouquetd'or, a bay daughter of Deep Impact (JPN) has just two wins in 15 starts, but has seven second-place finishes, including the 2019 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (G1) and 2019 Japan Cup (G1). “Last time she pressed on at the end to try and win the race, but just got caught and had to settle for third,” said Kunieda. “It was her first time over 3,200 meters, and she did pull a bit. The shorter distance will suit, and she showed she can handle the Hanshin track in that last run.” Curren Bouquetd'or will be ridden by Keita Tosaki from post 10.

Another runner coming out of the Tenno Sho is Hideko Kondo's 4-year-old homebred Aristoteles (JPN). Trained by Hidetaka Otonashi, Aristoteles, a son of Epiphaneia, finished fourth in the Tenno Sho as the 7-2 second choice. Last October, he finished second by a neck to Contrail (JPN) in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1). He opened 2021 with a victory in the 1 3/8-mile American Jockey Club Cup (G2) at Nakayama on Jan. 21. Yutaka Take, a four-time winner of the Takarazuka Kinen, has the mount from post nine.

Tatsue Ishikawa's Kiseki (JPN) and Capital System Co.'s Mozu Bello (JPN), finished second and third, respectively, behind Chrono Genesis in last year's race. Trained by Yasuyuki Tsujino, the 7-year-old Kiseki, by Rulership (JPN), a four-time winner, returns from Hong Kong, where he finished a solid fourth, beaten 2 ¾ lengths, in the 1 ¼-mile FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) at Sha Tin on April 25. Kiseki, who also finished second in the 2019 Takarazuka Kinen, won the 2017 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1). Kiseki will be ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga from post 13.

At odds of 68-1, the 5-year-old Mozu Bello closed from 10th to second place behind Lei Papale in the Osaka Hai. Trained by Naoyuki Morita and ridden by Kenichi Ikezoe from post 11, Mozu Bello is a bay son of Deep Brillante (JPN) out of the Harlan's Holiday mare Harlan's Rudy. Mozu Bello has also won four races, but his last triumph came in January 2019 when he won the Nikkei Shinshun Hai (G2) at Kyoto.

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Winner of half of her 14 career trips to the post, the gray mare was a sound third to Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) over 2000 metres last November before taking the 12 1/2-furlong Arima Kinen by a neck Dec. 27. She was most recently beaten a neck into second by Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in the Mar. 27 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m), the form of which was franked when Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) returned to take the G1 FWD QE II Cup in Hong Kong.

“She got bumped quite badly last time in the Dubai Sheema Classic and it was an unlucky race for her, but she still ran well,” her trainer Takashi Saito said. “She came back to the stable on June 2, and in her first piece of work after that, she seemed a little heavy, but soon got switched on in her usual way of doing things.”

Further female power comes in the form of Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who has yet to taste defeat in her six career trips to the post to date. Winner in Group 3 company at the tail end of her 3-year-old season, the bay got the litmus test in the G1 Osaka Hai over a rain-affected turf course at Hanshin Apr. 4, but she proved more than equal to the task in scoring by four lengths from Mozu Bello (Jpn) (Deep Brillante {Jpn}), with the likes of Triple Crown hero Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and champion Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) left further back in her wake.

Aristoteles (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) finished first or second in his first seven starts, then put a real scare into Contrail in the G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m), going down to a narrow defeat in that final leg of the Triple Crown last October. A Group 2 winner to begin this season, he exits a fourth in the May 2 G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) over two miles of this course. Kiseki (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), winless since the 2017 Kikuka Sho, was runner-up in this event in each of the last two seasons.

Unicorn Lion (Ire) (No Nay Never) cost 850,000gns at Tattersalls October in 2017 and enters the Takarazuka Kinen on a two-race winning streak, including a 19-1 upset of the G3 Naruo Kinen at Chukyo June 5.

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The Breeders' Cup Challenge is an international series of stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 6-7.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Chrono Genesis to start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, which will be run at 1 1/2 miles over the Keeneland turf course. Breeders' Cup also will provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.

Chrono Genesis becomes the third horse to gain a free berth into the 2020 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, joining Gran Premio International Carlos Pellegrini (G1) winner Nao Da Mais (BRZ) and Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) winner Lord North (IRE).

Chrono Genesis, a gray daughter of Bago (FR) out of the Kurofune mare Chronologist (JPN) claimed her second Group 1 title after taking last year's Shuka Sho, the last jewel of the fillies Triple Crown.

Trained by Takashi Saito, Chrono Genesis completed the 1 3/8 miles in 2:13.50 over a course listed as good, as the 4-1 second choice in the 18-horse field.

Chrono Genesis, one of the only two female contenders in the race, broke smoothly out of stall 16 and settled around ninth from frontrunner Tosen Surya (JPN). Continuing to take a wide route rounding the last two turns, she advanced strongly to enter the lane in second behind 5-year-old mare Lucky Lilac (JPN), also entered by Sunday Racing.

Once assuming command 300 meters out, Chrono Genesis unleashed a powerful kick despite the somewhat soft going due to rain, leaving the field behind.

“The filly broke smoothly and we were able to travel in good rhythm in good striking position,” said winning rider Kitamura. “I didn't really have to urge her to go but she just went spontaneously. She was responding really well so I knew that she will stretch well in the lane. She has become a powerful filly and was in very good condition. She was really strong,”

Tatsue Ishikawa's 6-year-old Kiseki (JPN) stalked Chrono Genesis from her position in the middle of the field, but could not match her rally and was the runner-up for the second consecutive year. He finished five lengths ahead of longshot Mozu Bello (JPN).

Carrot Farm's 5-2 favorite Saturnalia (JPN), the 2019 Japanese 3-year-old Male Champion, broke smoothly, hugged the rail in 10^thand angled out turning the last corner for the attack but was unable to exert his strong late kick due to the soft ground, finishing fourth. He was followed by longshot Meisho Tengen (JPN) in fifth. Lucky Lilac, the nearly 5-1 third choice, could not sustain a drive in the stretch and finished sixth.

Chrono Genesis improved her record to six wins in 11 starts. She won her seasonal debut against open company in the 1 3/8-mile Kyoto Kinen (G2) over a yielding course on Feb. 16 before finishing second to Lucky Lilac in the 1 1/4-mile Osaka Hai (G1) at Hanshin on April 5.

Chrono Genesis becomes the fourth Breeders' Cup Challenge Series winner in Japan this year. The 6-year-old Mozu Ascot was the first automatic qualifier, winning the February Stakes (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse on Feb. 23, and earned an automatic berth into the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic. The 5-year-old mare Almond Eye (JPN) won the Victoria Mile (G1) on May 17 and secured a free starting position into the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), and the 4-year-old filly Gran Alegria (JPN) took the Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse on June 7 and a “Win and You're In” spot for the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1).

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After finishing third in the opening two races of last year’s fillies’ Triple Crown, the G1 Oka Sho and the G1 Yushun Himba, Chrono Genesis collected her first Group 1 title in the third leg, the G1 Shuka Sho, in October before running a respectable fifth against older mares in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup. She opened her season with a win in the G2 Kyoto Kinen on Feb. 16 and finished a neck second in the G1 Osaka Hai on Apr. 5.

Breaking from gate 16 of 18, Chrono Genesis was able to get within three paths of the fence by the time they hit the first bend and established a position about six lengths off the lead. Chrono Genesis began to circle runners rounding the final turn and found herself four-wide and among the leaders as they straightened. Despite the rain-softened ground she employed an eye-catching turn of foot to draw clear and never appeared in danger in the lane, leaving the 2017 G1 Kikuka Sho victor Kiseki (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) to settle for second once again.

“The filly broke smoothly and we were able to travel in good rhythm in good striking position,” said jockey Yuichi Kitamura. “I didn’t really have to urge her to go but she just went spontaneously. She was responding really well so I knew that she would stretch well in the lane. She has become a powerful filly and was in very good condition. She was really strong.”

Pedigree Notes

Chrono Genesis is the eighth foal out of the winning 3-year-old Chronologist (Jpn) (Kurofune), who one year prior had produced the G1 Victoria Mile winner Normcore (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}). Chrono Genesis and Normcore are the only two black-type winners under the first two dams, while the former champion 2-year-old Fusaichi Richard (Jpn) (Kurofune) appears under the third dam amidst a smattering of minor stakes winners.

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
TAKARAZUKA KINEN-G1, ¥291,400,000, Hanshin, 6-28, 3yo/up, 2200mT, 2:13.50, gd.
1–CHRONO GENESIS (JPN), 123, f, 4, by Bago (Fr)
                1st Dam: Chronologist (Jpn), by Kurofune
                2nd Dam: In This Unison (Jpn), by Sunday  Silence
                3rd Dam: Rustic Belle, by Mr.Prospector
O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Takashi Saito; J-Yuichi
Kitamura; ¥153,780,000. Lifetime Record: 11-6-2-2. *1/2 to
Normcore (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), G1SW-Jpn, $2,709,237.
 Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
   Rating: F.
2–Kiseki (Jpn), 128, h, 6, Rulership (Jpn)–Blitz Finale (Jpn), by
Deep Impact (Jpn). O-Tatsue Ishikawa; B-Shimokobe Farm;
¥61,080,000.
3–Mozu Bello (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Deep Brillante (Jpn)–Harlan’s
Ruby, by Harlan’s Holiday. O-Capital System; B-Murata Farm;
¥38,540,000.
Margins: 6, 5, 1 3/4. Odds: 3.10, 13.20, 105.10.
Also Ran: Saturnalia (Jpn), Meisho Tengen (Jpn), Lucky Lilac (Jpn), Tosen Surya (Jpn), Tosen Cambina (Jpn), Danburite (Jpn), Red Genial (Jpn), Stiffelio (Jpn), Cadenas (Jpn), Wagneran (Jpn), Admire Alba (Jpn), Persian Knight (Jpn), Blast Onepiece (Jpn), Glory Vase (Jpn), African Gold (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart and video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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The Breeders' Cup Challenge is an international series of stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 6-7.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Takarazuka Kinen winner to start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, which will be run at 1 1/2 miles over the Keeneland turf course. Breeders' Cup also will provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.

The Takarazuka Kinen, the fourth Breeders' Cup Challenge race to be held in Japan this year, will be run in a clockwise direction. The race will be televised live on TVG at 11:40 p.m. PT on Saturday.

Sunday Racing Co.'s 5-year-old Lucky Lilac, trained by Mikio Matsunaga and ridden by Mirco Demuro, has finished in the top three in her last five starts. She comes into the race off a hard-fought win over the 4-year-old filly Chrono Genesis (JPN), also owned by Sunday Racing, in the 1 1/4-mile Osaka Hai (G1) on April 5 at Hanshin. Blocked in deep stretch, Lucky Lilac finally found room moving off the rail in the last 50 yards to prevail by a neck.

The Osaka Hai was the third Group 1 win for the chestnut daughter of 2011 Japanese Triple Crown winner and 2012 Takarazuka Kinen winner Orfevre (JPN). Lucky Lilac's dam, Lilacs and Lace, won the 2011 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, and her broodmare sire, Flower Alley, won the 2005 Travers Stakes (G1). Last November, Lucky Lilac won the Queen Elizabeth Cup (G1) at Kyoto, and as a 2-year-old in 2017, she won her initial Group 1 in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies.

Following her Queen Elizabeth Cup victory, Lucky Lilac was sent to Hong Kong for the 1 1/2-mile Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1) on Dec. 8 at Sha Tin, where she finished second to Glory Vase (JPN). In her first start this year on March 1, Lucky Lilac finished second by 1 ¾ lengths to Danon Kingly (JPN) in the 1 1/8-mile Nakayama Kinen (G2).

“After her last race, she went to Northern Farm Shigaraki, and although restrictions on movement meant I wasn't able to check on her, she has come back looking really well,” Matsunaga said to JRA.com. “Her movement is good, and she has filled out in a way that really makes her look bigger and stronger.”

Carrot Farm's 4-year-old Saturnalia, trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, was the 2019 Japanese Male 3-year-old Champion. He sports a consistent mark of six wins in nine starts, highlighted by last year's victory in the 1 1/4-mile Satsuki Sho at Nakayama. He was favored at 3-5 in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1) in his next start, but wound up fourth. He returned to his winning ways in September over the firm ground at Hanshin, scoring a three-length win in the 1 1/2-mile Kobe Shimbun Hai (G2). Saturnalia took on the best older runners in his final two starts last year, finishing sixth behind Almond Eye (JPN) in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) on Oct. 26, but improved next time out on Dec. 22 with a second-place finish behind Lys Gracieux (JPN) in the Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) (G1).

Saturnalia began 2020 in good form, winning the 1 1/4-mile Kinko Sho (G2) at Chukyo on March 15 as the odds-on favorite. Assistant trainer Takashi Kotaki said, “He was helped last time by the lack of noise due to no spectators, and everything went smoothly in the preliminaries. He adjusted well to the slow pace of the race, and ran as a comfortable winner. He's been at the farm since, but on his return to the stable, he's been his usual self as he prepares for this race.”

Chrono Genesis' second-place finish to Lucky Lilac in the Osaka Hai came after the 4-year-old filly by Bago (FR) won her seasonal debut against open company in the 1 3/8-mile Kyoto Kinen (G2) over a yielding course on Feb. 16.

“Last time she drew a wide gate, but quickly got into a position where she settled into stride well,” said trainer Takashi Saito regarding the Osaka Hai. “She finished second in the end, but showed her ability, which has definitely improved as she's gotten older.”

Chrono Genesis, ridden by Yuichi Kitamura, has won five of 10 starts, including the 1 ¼-mile Shuka Sho (G1) at Kyoto last October against fillies. In her first race against older fillies and mares, she finished fifth behind Lucky Lilac in the Queen Elizabeth to close out her 2019 season.

Silk Racing Co's 5-year-old Blast Onepiece (JPN), is another starter coming out of the Osaka Hai, in which he finished seventh. The performance continued a recent inconsistent pattern for the bay son of Harbinger (GB), who won the 2018 Group 1 Amira Kinen. Prior to the Osaka Hai, Blast Onepiece, trained by Masahiro Otake and ridden by Yuga Kawada, opened 2020 with a 1 1/4-length victory as the favorite in the 1 3/8-mile American Jockey Club Cup (G2) at Nakayama.

Going back to August, Blast Onepiece won the 1 1/4-mile Sapporo Kinen (G2), and preparations were made to start him next in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at ParisLongchamp. He raced in mid-pack in the Arc, but could not sustain a drive in the final three furlongs, and wound up 11th of 12 runners.

Silk Racing also has entered the 5-year-old Glory Vase, a dark bay son of Deep Impact (JPN), who will be making his first start since his 3 ½-length triumph in the Hong Kong Vase over Lucky Lilac. Glory Vase, trained by Tomohito Ozeki and ridden by Damian Lane, has won four of 10 starts, which includes last year's 1 1/2-mile Nikkei Shinshun Hai (G2) at Kyoto. Sunday's race will be his first start at Hanshin.

Also of interest is Tatsue Ishikawa's 6-year-old Kiseki (JPN), who was second in last year's race as the 5-2 favorite, finishing three lengths behind Lys Gracieux. Trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, Kiseki, a dark bay son of Rulership (JPN) out of the Deep Impact mare Blitz Finale (JPN), was sent to France last fall, where he finished third in the Qatar Prix Foy (G2) at ParisLongchamp and was seventh in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Kiseki comes into this year's race off a sixth-place finish in the about two-mile Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) at Kyoto, leading the race into the stretch before giving way. Yutaka Take, who has won the race four times, including aboard Deep Impact in 2006, has the mount on Sunday.

In the three prior Breeders' Cup Challenge races in Japan earlier this year, the 6-year-old Mozu Ascot won the February Stakes (G1) on Feb. 23 and earned an automatic berth into the $7-million Breeders' Cup Classic; the 5-year-old mare Almond Eye (JPN) won the Victoria Mile (G1) on May 17 and secured a free starting position into the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and the 4-year-old filly Gran Alegria (JPN) took the Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo Race Course on June 7 and a “Win and You're In” spot for the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1).

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“After her last race, she went to Northern Farm Shigaraki, and although restrictions on movement meant I wasn’t able to check on her, she has come back looking really well,” said trainer Mikio Matsunaga. “Her form is good, and she has filled out in a way that really makes her look bigger and stronger.”

Mirco Demuro, who will accompany Lucky Lilac, gets the chance to win his third Group 1 title this year.

Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) recorded her most important career win in Kyoto’s G1 Shuka Sho last October before crossing the wire fifth-behind winner Lucky Lilac-in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Bouncing back over a yielding turf course to take the Feb. 16 G2 Kyoto Kinen, the 4-year-old found only Lucky Lilac a neck too good in the Osaka Hai and looks to turn the tables on that rival here.

“Last time she drew a wide gate, but quickly got into a position where she settled into stride well. She finished second in the end, but showed her ability, which has definitely improved as she’s gotten older,” said trainer Takashi Saito. “She returned from the farm on June 5, and is the type to pick up quickly in training.” The Sunday Racing Co.’s runner will once again be accompanied by her regular rider, Yuichi Kitamura.

Last season’s G1 Satsuki Sho hero, Saturnalia (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) added a win in Hanshin’s G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai later in September before finishing sixth behind winner Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) in October. Well behind Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) in the G1 Arima Kinen Dec. 22, he appreciated the time, returning a winner in the Mar. 15 Kinko Sho at Chukyo.

“He was helped last time by the lack of noise due to no spectators, and everything went smoothly before the race. He adjusted well to the slow pace, and ran out a comfortable winner,” said assistant trainer Takashi Kotaki of the 2018 G1 Hopeful S. victor. “He’s been at the farm since, but on his return to the stable, he’s been his usual self as he prepared for this race.” Jockey Christophe Lemaire returns on Saturnalia.

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