Tag: yasuo tomomichi

Justin Milano Remains Unbeaten With Satsuki Sho Victory

Justin Milano (Jpn) lowered the track record as he came out on top in a stirring finish to Sunday's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) at Nakayama Racecourse, adding the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown to a record which now sees him unbeaten in three starts.

Keita Tosaki settled Justin Milano in fifth place in the early stages as Meisho Tabaru (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) took the field along at a fierce gallop, racing a few lengths clear of the chasing pack. Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice), who was crowned champion Japanese two-year-old colt in 2023, raced in third for much of the race and was the first to make his bid for glory when surging past Meisho Tabaru early in the straight.

However, Jantar Mantar was unable to sustain his run and lost two places close home as both Justin Milano and Cosmo Kuranda (Jpn) (Al Ain {Jpn}) went by him, with Tosaki's mount digging deep to get the verdict by a neck. Jantar Mantar was half a length further back in third, while the disappointment of the race was G1 Hopeful S. winner Regaleira (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), who could finish only sixth having been sent off favourite in her bid to become the first filly to win the race for 76 years.

It was a second victory in the Satsuki Sho for Justin Milano's trainer Yasuo Tomomichi after that of Unrivaled (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) in 2009, while Tosaki had also tasted success in the race just once before with 2018 winner Epoca d'Oro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}).

“Given the condition of the track, I thought that it would be better to race toward the front,” said Tosaki. “He broke well and we were able to settle in that position naturally. The pace was fast but Justin Milano ran in his own rhythm. His response weakened a bit at the third corner, but he regained his focus after the fourth corner and stretched well to win the race. He's a smart horse with a lot of potential. He's easy to ride and I think he can handle the longer distance.”

The next leg of the Japanese Triple Crown is the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), which is run over 2400 metres and was won by Justin Milano's sire, Kizuna (Jpn), back in 2013. The 2024 edition of the Tokyo Yushun will be run at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday, May 26.

Justin Milano is already a dual winner at Tokyo having won both his previous starts at that track. He made a winning debut as a two-year-old there in November before returning in February with victory in the G3 Kyodo News Hai (Tokinominoru Kinen), beating Jantar Mantar by a length and a half.

 

 

Pedigree Notes

Justin Milano is a third Group 1 winner for Shadai Stallion Station resident Kizuna, who won only once at the top level himself when landing the 2013 Tokyo Yushun, though he did perform with credit when travelling to Europe later in his three-year-old campaign, winning the G2 Prix Niel before finishing a creditable fourth behind Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. His standout performer before Justin Milano was Songline (Jpn), who notably won back-to-back renewals of the G1 Yasuda Kinen in 2022 and 2023, while another daughter, Akai Ito (Jpn), won the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2021.

Justin Milano's dam, Margot Did (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), showed her best form at up to seven furlongs in Britain, with her biggest success coming over five in the 2011 G1 Nunthorpe S. at York. Justin Milano is the second Group 1 winner and third black-type performer she has produced at stud. Magic Attitude (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) became her dam's first top-level winner in the 2020 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S., while her first foal was the G2 Prix de Sandringham winner Mission Impassible (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who also filled the runner-up spot in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. as a three-year-old.

Margot Did's own dam, Special Dancer (GB) (Shareef Dancer), was a winner in Italy at up to a mile and a half, as well as being a half-sister to the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup runner-up Floral Dynamite (Aus) (Danehill) and the G3 Meld S. winner Cajarian (Shahrastani).

Sunday, Nakayama, Japan
SATSUKI SHO (JAPANESE 2000 GUINEAS)-G1, ¥417,520,000, Nakayama, 4-14, 3yo, c/f, 2000mT, 1:57.10 (NTR), fm.
1–JUSTIN MILANO (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Kizuna (Jpn)
        1st Dam: Margot Did (Ire) (Hwt. Filly-Eng at 5-7f, G1SW-Eng, $425,664), by Exceed And Excel (Aus)
        2nd Dam: Special Dancer (GB), by Shareef Dancer
        3rd Dam: Caraniya (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Masahiro Miki; B-Northern Farm (Jpn);
T-Yasuo Tomomichi; J-Keita Tosaki; ¥226,264,000. Lifetime
Record: 3-3-0-0, ¥274,821,000. *Half to Mission Impassible
(Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), GSW & G1SP-Fr, GISP-NA, $311,814; Magic
Attitude (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), GSW & G1SP-Fr, GISW-NA,
$439,402. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style
pedigree. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: A++.
2–Cosmo Kuranda (Jpn), 126, c, 3, by Al Ain (Jpn)–Southern
Speed (Aus), by Southern Image. O-Big Red Farm; B-Big Red
Farm (Jpn); ¥87,504,000.
3–Jantar Mantar (Jpn), 126, c, 3, by Palace Malice–India
Mantuana, by Wilburn. O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm
(Jpn); ¥53,752,000.
Margins: Neck, HF, 1 HF. Odds: 3.80, 14.80, 5.10.
Also ran: Urban Chic (Jpn), Shin Emperor (Fr), Regaleira (Jpn), Ecoro Waltz (Jpn), Lucullan Feast (Jpn), Sunrize Zipangu (Jpn), Mr G T (Jpn), Ho O Prosangue (Jpn), Sunrise Earth (Jpn), Byzantine Dream (Jpn), Sirius Colt (Jpn), Allegro Brillante (Jpn), Water Licht (Jpn), Meisho Tabaru (Jpn). Scratch: Danon Decile (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video.

The post Justin Milano Remains Unbeaten With Satsuki Sho Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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King Kamehameha’s Jun Light Bolt Crowned At Chukyo

In a dramatic finish to Sunday's G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo, Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) collared G2 UAE Derby hero Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach The Crown {Jpn}) by a neck just before the wire.

Sent off at 6-1 in this 1800-metre contest, the 5-year-old entire settled one off the rail in midpack as Red Soldado (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior) dashed to the front. That rival, setting an uncontested pace, got away with middling fractions on the backstretch, with the first 1000 metres covered in 1:02.40. As a result, the field was keeping closer order and racing room was at a premium as they approached the far turn.

Still on the engine 400 metres from home, Red Soldado was facing a stiff challenge from Crown Pride to his outside. Jun Light Bolt, meanwhile, was within striking distance, and was asked by pilot Yukito Ishikawa shortly after the quarter pole. Rumbling home ominously well, the dark bay set his sights on new leader Crown Pride, as 1-2 favourite T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) was winding up to his inside. The Yasuo Tomomichi runner hit a superior gear however, and thrust his neck in front three jumps from the line. The stalking Hapi (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) was 1 1/4 lengths back in third, another neck behind T O Keynes, who had covered extra ground in the race.

“I can't find any other word to describe this other than 'happy',” said Ishikawa, who was winning his first Group 1 race in Japan. “I tried to feel the horse's rhythm and was confident that if we can find an open space after entering the lane, he would burst out. The colt responded so well that I knew we could win. Though I have yet to feel my first Group 1 win, I would like to savor this joy from now on.”

Although a four-time winner and listed-placed over the turf, the Northern Farm-bred reinvented himself when trying the dirt for the first time in July, running second in the Listed July S. at Fukushima. He earned his first black-type score outright in the Listed BSN Sho at Niigata in August, and continued his upward trajectory with a three-quarter-length score in the G3 Sirius S. going 1900 metres over this strip on Oct. 1.

 

Pedigree Notes

The deceased King Kamehameha has left 94 stakes winners and 65 group winners, with Jun Light Bolt his 15th at the highest level. Four of his stakes winners are out of Special Week (Jpn) mares, including G1 Asahi Hai Tuturity S. victor Leontes (Jpn), and G3 Falcon S. scorer Tagano Grandpa (Jpn), besides Sunday's winner.

Despite never finding the winner's circle, Special Groove (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}) has done the job as a broodmare, with a pair of stakes winners among her quintet of scorers to show from six runners of racing age. Jun Light Bolt's year-older half brother Groove It (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {GB}) won at Group 3 level in Japan, and his juvenile half-sister Pure Groove (Jpn) (Drefong) has plenty of time to build on her first two starts. Special Groove foaled colts by Drefong and Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Third dam Air Groove (Jpn) (Tony Bin {Ire}) was named Japanese Horse of the Year in 1997, and at stud she left fellow Japanese champion Admire Groove (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), herself the dam of Japanese Champion 3-Year-Old Colt and late sire Duramente (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). Another of Air Groove's progeny is Shadai stallion Rulership (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), who won the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

 

Sunday, Chukyo, Japan
CHAMPIONS CUP-G1, ¥232,920,000, Chukyo, 12-4, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:51.90, gd.
1–JUN LIGHT BOLT (JPN), 126, h, 5, by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Special Groove (Jpn), by Special Week (Jpn)
                2nd Dam: Sonic Groove (Jpn), by French Deputy
                3rd Dam:  Air Groove (Jpn), by Tony Bin (Ire)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (¥120,000,000 Ylg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Junji
Kawai; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Yasuo Tomomichi; J-Yukito
Ishikawa; ¥123,444,000. Lifetime Record: 25-7-5-2. *1/2 to
Groove It (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $969,081. Click
   for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk
   Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Crown Pride (Jpn), 121, c, 3, Reach the Crown (Jpn)–Emmy's
Pride(Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK
   TYPE. O-Teruya Yoshida; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥48,984,000.
3–Hapi (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Kizuna (Jpn)–Queen Pirates (Jpn), by
King Kamehameha (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Toshio
Terada; B-North Hills (Jpn); ¥30,492,000.
Margins: NK, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 6.90, 13.30, 14.90.
Also Ran: T O Keynes (Jpn), Shamal (Jpn), Sunrise Hope (Jpn), Smashing Hearts (Jpn), Notturno (Jpn), Auvergne (Jpn), Tagano Beauty (Jpn), Red Galant (Jpn), Gloria Mundi (Jpn), Sakura Allure (Jpn), Badenweiler (Jpn), Sunrise Nova (Jpn), Red Soldado (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart & video.

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Take, Do Deuce Hold All The Aces in Japanese Derby

by Alan Carasso

The legendary Yutaka Take, already five times a winner of the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), gave out an uncharacteristically bullish vibe about the chances of reigning champion 2-year-old male Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) ahead of Sunday's second jewel of the Japanese Triple Crown over 2400 metres of the Fuchu course, about 20 miles due west of the city centre.

And after a little less than a record-breaking 142 seconds on a warm and sunny warm afternoon and with a crowd on that looked and sounded a bit larger than the announced 62,364, the son of US import Dust and Diamonds (Vindication) kicked home down the centre of the track and found the line a neck better than an unlucky Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}). Ask Victor More (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), one of five in the race for the final intake of the 2005 Derby winner–also ridden by Take–was a forward factor throughout and clung on gamely for third.

“This is a truly emotional experience for me and I couldn't be happier,” said Take, 53, who can now boast of Derby victories in his 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. “It's so wonderful to be able to win in front of a packed stand–you couldn't be a jockey and not dream of living this moment.”

Sent away as the 16-5 third choice exiting a wide-trip third behind Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong) and Equinox in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) at Nakayama last month, last year's G1 Asahi Hai Futurity hero was away fairly from gate 13 and drifted back to settle in the latter third of the field, racing with Equinox in his wake, as Desierto (Jpn) (Drefong) cut out the running from Ask Victor More. Switched off nicely and unhurried entering the final half-mile, Do Deuce stalked Geoglyph into the final 600 metres and was pulled out and around that star-faced chestnut rival entering the long Tokyo straight.

Desierto hoisted the white flag not long thereafter, allowing Ask Victor More to inherit the lead, but Take had Do Deuce in high gear, raced up to the front-runner inside the furlong marker and held sway late to score narrowly. Equinox, who drew 18 in the Guineas was unfortunate to do so again Sunday afternoon, was beaten to the punch by the winner and was fractionally short of room in the waning stages before attacking the line for second. His final 600 metres was timed in a race-fastest :33.6, a tenth of a second quicker than the winner. Favored Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) ran on for fourth.

“He had so much left in the tank at the final corner when I asked him for his run–he responded amazingly and took the lead earlier than planned, but held on well to the wire,” Take added. “The [G1] Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe should be a strong option for the owner and will probably be our next target.”

Do Deuce is one of seven Japanese entries for Europe's weight-for-age centrepiece and is the third Derby winner in the last seven years for trainer Yasuo Tomomichi, who saddled Makahiki (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in 2016 and Wagnerian (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) two years later.

 

 

 

Pedigree Notes:

Do Deuce is one of 11 top-level scores for the now-pensioned Heart's Cry, who famously defeated Deep Impact in the 2005 G1 Arima Kinen and gave Japan a notable victory on the world stage when carrying Christophe Lemaire to a barnstorming victory in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at old Nad al Sheba in 2006. Do Deuce is the second Derby winner for Heart's Cry, who also supplied One and Only (Jpn) in 2014. Heart's Cry is also responsible for dual-surface Grade I winner Yoshida (Jpn), now standing at WinStar Farm in the US.

The winner's dam raced as a homebred for Satish Sanan's Padua Stables for the first 10 starts of her career, winning the GII Gallant Bloom H. for trainer Steve Asmussen in 2012 before finishing a clear second in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint with Richard Santulli part of the ownership group.

Sent through the Fasig-Tipton November Sale a few days later, Dust and Diamonds was purchased by Borges Torrealba Holdings for $900,000 and was turned over to trainer Todd Pletcher for whom she won the GIII Sugar Swirl S. in what would be her final racetrack appearance.

Of the three foals the mare produced for Torrealba/Three Chimneys, the most accomplished became Much Better, who went on to be placed twice in graded company. Dust and Diamonds was subsequently sold to Katsumi Yoshida for $1 million carrying a full-sibling to Much Better at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale.

Now 14 years of age, Dust and Diamonds is represented by a 2-year-old Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) filly and was most recently covered by Real Steel (Jpn), the full-brother to the ground-breaking GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Loves Only You (Jpn).

 

 

 

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
TOKYO YUSHUN (JAPANESE DERBY)-G1, ¥418,540,000, Tokyo, 5-29, 3yo, c/f, 2400mT, 2:21.90 (NSR), fm.
1–DO DEUCE (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Heart's Cry (Jpn)
1st Dam: Dust and Diamonds (MGSW & GISP-US, $496,260), by Vindication
2nd Dam: Majestically, by Gone West
3rd Dam: Darling Dame, by Lyphard
O-Kieffers Inc; B-Northern Farm; T-Yasuo Tomomichi; J-Yutaka Take; ¥226,978,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Colt-Jpn, 6-4-1-1, ¥385,771,000. *1/2 to Much Better (Pioneerof the Nile), MGSP-US, $301,131. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Equinox (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Chateau Blanche (Jpn), by King Halo (Jpn) O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥87,708,000.
3–Ask Victor More (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Deep Impact (Jpn)–
Kartica (GB), by Rainbow Quest. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. (¥170,000,000 yrl '20 JRHAJUL). O-Toshihiro Hirosaki HD; B-Shadai Farm; ¥53,854,000.
Margins: NK, 2, NK. Odds: 3.20, 2.80, 23.70.
Also Ran: Danon Beluga (Jpn), Pradaria (Jpn), Killer Ability (Jpn), Geoglyph (Jpn), Onyankopon (Jpn), Justin Palace (Jpn), Be Astonished (Jpn), Seiun Hades (Jpn), Ask Wild More (Jpn), Matenro Leo (Jpn), Lord Les Ailes (Jpn), Desierto (Jpn), Justin Rock (Jpn), Matenro Orion (Jpn), Piece of Eight (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Japan: Do Deuce Remains Undefeated In Asahi Hai Futurity

Third favorite Do Deuce (Heart's Cry) claimed this year's Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes and has become an undefeated champion two-year-old miler—the colt won his debut start in September and his next Ivy Stakes start in October.

Do Deuce traveled wide and in mid-pack after breaking from stall nine, ran down the middle of the straight with the tied fastest late speed tagging Serifos after the furlong marker and battled stride for stride finally shaking off the stubborn favorite in the final strides to win by half a length.

For trainer Yasuo Tomomichi, this is his second Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes victory following the 2018 version with Admire Mars, and his 14th overall JRA-G1 win—his latest was with World Premiere in this year's Tenno Sho (Spring). Jockey Yutaka Take celebrates his first Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes title in his 22nd challenge, and his 78th JRA-G1 win—his latest was with World Premiere in the 2019 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger). Among the 24 flat JRA-G1 races, Take is just one title short, the year-end Hopeful Stakes that was upgraded to G1 status in 2017.

“Do Deuce is an honest colt,” commented Yutaka Take. “We were able to run in a good position and in good rhythm while observing the others. He responded well going into the straight and although the favorite was stubborn and hard to beat, he dug in remarkably all the way to the line. He's getting stronger by every race—we can look forward to the spring classics next year. (Asked about his long-awaited first Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes title) I'm so happy—at last! It's been a while since my last G1 victory which makes the win even sweeter. I hope I can make the (flat-G1 race) sweep next week in the Hopeful Stakes.”

Race favorite Serifos broke well and was keen to press the pace but was held back, settling in fifth to sixth before the final turns. With a good turn of foot, the Daiwa Major colt ran strongly in the center of the lane, took over the lead after a brief duel with Toshin Macau but surrendered after putting up a good fight against the eventual winner for second place.

Fourth pick Danon Scorpion broke sharply, eased back to eighth and after angling out at the top of the stretch, launched a late drive chasing Do Deuce and Serifos but failed to threaten, finishing third while putting a good 1-3/4-length margin between himself and the rest of the field.

Other Horses:
4th: (3) Al Naseem—was off slow, saved ground around 12th, showed effort until overtaken by top finishers
5th: (13) Geoglyph—unhurried in 14th, angled out, showed belated charge
6th: (12) Toshin Macau—chased leaders around 3rd, took a brief lead before 200m pole, outrun
7th: (11) Dobune—ran 4-wide around 12th, passed tired rivals at stretch
8th: (8) Purpur Ray—tracked leader around 3rd, rallied for lead, weakened in last 200m
9th: (14) Tudo de Bom—stalked leader in 2nd, remained in contention up to 200m pole
10th: (10) Sprit the Sea—traveled 3-wide around 10th, even paced
11th: (5) Via Dolorosa—settled around 10th behind eventual winner, unable to reach contention
12th: (6) Otaru Ever—sat around 5th, circled wide, showed little at stretch
13th: (2) Sekkachi Cane—took economic trip around 5th, outrun in stretch
14th: (1) Kaju Faith—set pace, faded after passing 300m marker
15th: (15) Sin Limites—far rear throughout trip, no factor

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