Tag: Yutaka Take

JRA Raiders Take On NAR Star Mick Fire In Japan Dirt Derby

Both the the Japan Racing Association and National Association for Racing circuits were well represented on the international stage this winter and spring, with JRA representative Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) winning the G2 UAE Derby ahead of a meritorious sixth in the GI Kentucky Derby, while the NAR-based Mandarin Hero (Jpn) (Shanghai Bobby) covered himself in glory by nearly winning the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby before gaining a run at Churchill Downs. While those two continue to rest up, Wednesday's $721,752 Japan Dirt Derby at Ohi Racecourse about 10 miles south of Tokyo's Imperial Palace is very much an us-versus-them contest, as seven horses from the JRA take on a quartet from the NAR.

The 'senior circuit' has provided four of the last five winners of the Derby and 10 out of the last 12, and the progressive Yuttitham (Jpn) (Justify) stands ready to add to those stats under the Wednesday night lights. The striking chestnut son of US Grade I winner Zipessa (City Zip) was purchased by Makoto Kaneko for the equivalent of $1.8 million at the 2021 JHRA Select Yearling Sale and has won three of his four starts to date, including a 2 1/2-length allowance success going Tokyo's one-turn mile first off a five-month absence May 14 (see below, SC 6). His lone loss to date came at the hooves of UAE Derby fourth Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), who bounced back to take out the G3 Unicorn S. last month. Leading JRA rider Yuga Kawada retains the call.

 

 

 

Like Yuttitham, Mitono O (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}) has tasted defeat just one time to date and rides a three-race winning streak into the Derby. The chestnut won the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series with a victory in the Fukuryu S. (conditions) Mar. 25, but connections elected to bypass the trip to the States, and the colt exits a romping six-length success from Kirinji (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in listed company over an extended nine furlongs at Sonoda May 3 (see below, SC 6).

 

 

The locally based Mick Fire (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) is undefeated and untested in five career appearances, all at Oi Racecourse. Three-from-three least term, he most recently defeated Hero Call (Jpn) (Hokko Tarumae {Jpn}) by a half-dozen lengths in the Tokyo Derby over this course and distance June 7 (video, SC 12). The latter had beaten Mandarin Hero in a February allowance at Oi.

 

 

Following this year's renewal, the Japan Dirt Derby will be the final leg of the NAR Dirt Triple Crown and will be similarly structured to the JRA Triple Crown on turf. The Haneda Hai will take place in April or May followed by the Tokyo Derby in June. The Dirt Derby will conclude the series in October. Mick Fire won this year's Haneda Hai prior to his Tokyo Derby score. Any horse to sweep the series will receive an ¥80 million bonus.

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Liberty Island Strictly The One To Beat in Oka Sho

Though she makes her first start since cementing champion 2-year-old filly honours in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies over course and distance back in December, Sunday Racing's Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) will jump a warm favourite in the first Classic on the Japanese racing calendar, Sunday's G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas).

The daughter of two-time Australian champion and dual Group 1 winner Yankee Rose (Aus) (All American {Aus}) validated a quote of $2.10 (11-10) to open her account at first asking at Niigata July 30, then returned from a three-month freshening to finish second in the G2 Artemis S. (1600m) at Tokyo at the end of October, where she was held up at a critical stage and couldn't quite reel in the re-opposing Ravel (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}). There were no such hindrances in the Juvenile Fillies, as she was produced wide by Yuga Kawada and raced away to defeat Shinryokuka (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}) by 2 1/2 convincing lengths, with Doe Eyes (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) a late-on-the-scene third after herself striking mild interference.

“I think her strong points are her acceleration and her ability to shift gears into top speed,” said trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida. “She is still immature in some ways, so I am hoping she will mature more mentally. I would like to see her have a fast track on Sunday. I am really grateful to have a horse like this to run in the Oka Sho this year. I think she'll give us some good solid results.”

 

 

 

While Liberty Island would be providing her late sire with a second straight Guineas winner following on from Stars on Earth (Jpn) last year, Light Quantum (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) can become her legendary stallion's sixth Oka Sho heroine with his final runner in the race. The daughter of US Grade I winner Illuminant (Quality Road)–a $1.1-million purchase by Shadai at Fasig-Tipton November in 2017–is perfect in her two trips to the post to date, having built on a debut score at Toyko in November to add a fast-finishing success in the G2 Shinzan Kinen at Chukyo Jan. 8. She has the services of Yutaka Take again this weekend.

“She's been getting work over a long span of time and I feel that all has gone well,” said trainer Koshiro Take. “We'll have to be very careful in the gate and then be careful of the other horses. She has speed, so I think if she breaks well, she'll be able to get a pretty good forward position. I hope she'll get a fast track.”

Kona Coast (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) also carries the Sunday Racing colours and rates an outside chance. Victorious on Kokura debut over a bit further in August, she was runner-up in listed company at Chukyo in February and jumped out of the ground late to just fail behind front-running Mozu Meimei (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Tulip Sho over track and trip Mar. 4 while outfinishing Perifania (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}).

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Ageless Take Shuts ‘D’Or’ On Osaka Hai Rivals

Having celebrated his 54th birthday less than three weeks ago, Yutaka Take became the oldest jockey in the history of the Japanese turf to win at Group 1 level after putting a well-rationed ride aboard second favourite Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in Sunday's G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) at Hanshin Racecourse. Reigning champion 3-year-old filly Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) found no luck in running for a second straight race and fell just short, while Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) checked in a close third.

The expected pacesetter from gate nine, the flashy chestnut hit the ground running and led from the outposted North the World (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), as two-time Classic winner Stars on Earth was involved in a bit of a chain reaction at the break that saw her exchange bumps with Killer Ability (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), relegating her to a position towards the rear. Allowed to bowl along, as is his wont, Jack d'Or covered the opening 800 metres in :47.5 seconds, but really picked up the pace from there, clocking an internal half-mile in :46 flat from the 1200m to the 400m while still racing well within himself.

Firmly on top as they hit the Hanshin straight, Jack d'Or continued to find even as Danon the Kid–who had sat a perfect trip one out and one back–came to challenge at the furlong grounds. But under vigorous urging from Take, Jack d'Or kept on doggedly to prevail by the minimum margin. Stars on Earth, on hold on the turn, raced in traffic in the final 300 metres, but charged through between a tiring Hishi Iguazu (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and third choice Weltreisende (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) and rattled home to just fail. She covered her final three furlongs in a race-fastest :34.4 while making her first start since a troubled second in the G1 Shuka Sho when attempting a sweep of the Filly Triple Crown last October. Danon the Kid, who came in on and bothered Killer Ability at the start, held for third.

“I was hoping to take the front if we could get a good start,” said Take, commonly referred to as 'Legend'. “He was a bit keen to go in the first two corners, but raced in good rhythm thereafter. I think it was tough for him because of the headwind in the straight, but I had a feeling that we were able to hold off the chasing horses when we crossed the wire.”

It was an 80th career Group 1 for Take, and, reflecting on that achievement, he said: “I owe it to all the many great horses I was able to ride, and I will do my best to extend this record even further.”

A well-backed fifth in this race last year, Jack d'Or–whose 14 career starts have all come over 10 furlongs–outgamed future G1 Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G2 Sapporo Kinen last August before finishing a close fourth to Horse of the Year and recent G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic hero Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) in October. With Take at the controls for the first time, Jack d'Or was a lacklustre seventh in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup when last seen Dec. 11.

Pedigree Notes:

Jack d'Or, purchased for just over $320,000 at the 2019 Hokkaido Selected Yearling Sale, is the fifth top-level winner worldwide for his sire and his third in Japan (Geraldina {Jpn}, a sneaky-good sixth Sunday and top sprinter Pixie Knight {Jpn}). Maurice is also the sire of Hitotsu (Aus) and Mazu (Aus) from his shuttle missions to Arrowfield Stud in Australia. Jack d'Or is the 31st Group 1/Grade I winner out of a daughter of Unbridled's Song, who has also been responsible for Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) and additional G1SWs Danon Platina (Jpn), Suave Richard (Jpn) and Toho Jackal (Jpn) in Japan.

Bred and raced by Sheikh Maktoum al Maktoum's Gainsborough Farm, Ravarino is a daughter of Sous Entendu, trained for Gainsborough by Criquette Head to a third-place effort in the 1990 G3 Prix de la Grotte who would go on to produce the listed-winning and G2 Dante S. third Slip Stream (Irish River {Fr}) as well as dual US graded winner Porte Bonheur (Hennessy). Jack d'Or's third dam was the champion 2-year-old filly of 1978 in America and the deeper family includes globetrotting multi-jurisdiction Group 1/Grade I winner State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); multiple Group 1/Grade I winner Storming Home (GB) (Machiavellian); G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}); and five-time Grade I winner Music Note (A.P. Indy), the dam of 'TDN Rising Star', G1 Dubai World Cup winner and Darley America stallion Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper).

Ravarino is represented by the once-raced 3-year-old colt Crown Romagna (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), the 2-year-old filly Marino El Dorado (Jpn) (Rey de Oro {Jpn}) and a yearling full-sister to Jack d'Or. The mare, whose last seven foals have been chestnut in colour, is due once again to Maurice for her 2023 produce.

 

 

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
OSAKA HAI-G1, ¥384,860,000, Hanshin, 4-2, 4yo/up, 2000mT, 1:57.40, fm.
1–JACK D'OR (JPN), 128, h, 5, by Maurice (Jpn)
1st Dam: Ravarino, by Unbridled's Song
2nd Dam: Sous Entendu, by Shadeed
3rd Dam: It's in the Air, by Mr. Prospector
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (¥34,560,000 Ylg '19 HOKSEL). O-Toshiyuki Maehara; B-Crown Hidaka Farm; T-Kenichi Fujioka; J-Yutaka Take; ¥203,402,000. Lifetime Record: 14-8-2-0, ¥675,444,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+ (1 SW). Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com pedigree.
2–Stars on Earth (Jpn), 123, f, 4, Duramente (Jpn)–Southern Stars (GB), by Smart Strike. O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm; ¥80,972,000.
3–Danon the Kid (Jpn), 128, h, 5, Just a Way (Jpn)–Epic Love (Ire), by Dansili (GB). (¥100,000,000 Wlg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Danox Inc; B-Northern Farm; ¥ 50,486,000.
Margins: NO, NK, 2. Odds: 2.60, 2.40, 31.80.
Also Ran: Matenro Leo (Jpn), Maria Elena (Jpn), Geraldina (Jpn), Hishi Iguazu (Jpn), North Bridge (Jpn), Weltreisende (Jpn), Potager (Jpn), Lagulf (Jpn), Moze Bello (Jpn), Killer Ability (Jpn), Wonderful Town (Jpn), North the World (Jpn), Hindu Times (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart.

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Light Quantum Latest Group Winner For Deep Impact at Chukyo

Light Quantum (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) remained perfect to graduate to the group ranks while taking on the boys for the first time with an impressive rallying victory in the G3 Nikkan Sports Sho Shinzan Kinen at Chukyo on Sunday.

The public's second choice at odds of 2-1 in this 1600-metre affair hopped a bit from the gate and was taken way back early, rating in front of just two rivals for more than 800 metres as Pace Setting (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) showed the way. As the early leader rounded the far bend, the winner began her rally and was swung wide into the stretch with more than a dozen lengths to close on the frontrunner. While racing out in the center of the course for clear running room she ran down all of her tiring rivals in the last 200 meters and pulled away for a length victory over a determined Pace Setting. Toho Galleon (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) was third another length back.

Pedigree Notes:

A front-running winner of a 1600-metre Tokyo newcomers' affair in November, Light Quantum is the first foal out of 2016 GI Gamely S. winner Illuminant (Quality Road), who also won the GII Monrovia S. in 2017 and sold for $1.1 million at Fasig-Tipton November to Shadai Farm later that year. Her dam has a yearling filly by American Horse of the Year Bricks And Mortar, and Illuminant was covered by Epiphaneia (Jpn) last year. Light Quantum is from the last crop of 11-time Japanese Champion Sire and Hall of Famer Deep Impact and his 154th group winner. Her granddam is the multiple stakes winner Sparkling Number (Polish Numbers), who herself is a half-sister to Smart Sunny (Smarten). Her third dam is the Grade III winner Sunny Sparkler (Sunny Clime).

Sunday, Chukyo, Japan                                                                                                              
NIKKAN SPORTS SHO SHINZAN KINEN-G3, ¥72,800,000, Chukyo, 1-8, 3yo, 1600mT, 1:33.70, fm.
1–LIGHT QUANTUM (JPN), 119, f, 3, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
            1st Dam: Illuminant (GISW, $536,243), by Quality Road
            2nd Dam: Sparkling Number, by Polish Numbers
            3rd Dam: Sunny Sparkler, by Sunny Clime
 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Shadai Race Horse;
B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); T-Koshiro Take; J-Yutaka Take;
¥40,308,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, ¥47,308,000. Click for
   the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick
   Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
  eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Pace Setting (GB), 123, c, 3, Showcasing (GB)–Jet Setting
(Ire), by Fast Company (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP
   BLACK TYPE. O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn);
¥16,088,000.
3–Toho Galleon (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Real Steel (Jpn)–Devil's Corner,
by Songandaprayer. (¥86,000,000 yrl '21 JRHAJUL). 1ST BLACK
   TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Toho Inc.; B-Northern
Farm (Jpn); ¥10,044,000.
Margins: 1, 1, NK. Odds: 2.00, 4.40, 5.80.
Also Ran: Suzuka Double (Jpn), Sunrise Peace (Jpn), Shinzen Izumo (Jpn), Kvasir (Jpn). Click for the JRA Chart.

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