Runner-up to Sol Oriens in the Satsuki Sho (G1) (Japanese 2000 Guineas) last month, Carrot Farm Co. Ltd.'s Tastiera turned the tables on that rival Sunday when winning the $4,947,000 Tokyo Yushun (G1) (Japanese Derby), reaching the pinnacle of the nation's total of 7,708 3-year-olds, at Tokyo Racecourse.
After breaking from stall 12, Tastiera was positioned well in fifth and two-wide while Pax Ottomanica set a moderate pace and maintained a huge lead into the stretch. Hitting the straight in fourth under Damien Lane, Tastiera responded well to steadily close in, inheriting the lead from the pacesetter 200 meters out while repelling a determined challenge from Bellagio Opera from an inner route. He fiercely dueled Sol Oriens and Hearts Concerto on his outside to reach the wire a neck ahead of Sol Oriens.
‟It's a very special, great feeling especially for Hori Stables and Carrot Farm with whom I've had success with. It was definitely the position, and credit to the horse—he's so versatile, he could jump quick put himself in a good position and relax. It's just a great sense of achievement,” said Lane, who was riding for trainer Noriyuki Hori.
Heavy favorite Sol Oriens broke well and sat in sixth, just behind Tastiera, while Hearts Concerto, who was off slow and near the rear earlier, steadily made headway in the backstretch to catch up and enter the straight alongside Sol Oriens. Although unable to tag the winner, Sol Oriens held off Hearts Concerto by a nose for second place after a fierce battle to the line, while being denied the possibility of a Triple Crown triumph by the winner.
As a first-crop progeny by Shadai Stallion Station resident stallion Satono Crown, who was third in the 2015 Japanese Derby for Hori, Tastiera became the first Grade 1 winner for his sire. After breaking his maiden last November, Tastiera was fourth in the Kyodo News Hai (G3) and went on to land his first graded win in the Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen (G2) in March before finishing second, 1 1/4 lengths behind Sol Oriens in the Japanese 2000 Guineas in April. The bay colt would not be denied Sunday.
Sunday's win marks trainer Hori's second Japanese Derby title following Duramente's victory in 2015. Lane, who has ridden under a short-term license since April 15, became the first foreign-based jockey since Mirco Demuro (2003, Neo Universe) to win the Japanese Derby.
Tastiera was bred by Northern Farm. He is the first foal from the Manhattan Cafe mare Partitura.
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