Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd.'s homebred Sodashi powered to the front in deep stretch and prevailed by two lengths over Fine Rouge in the Victoria Mile (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse.
With the victory, the striking all white filly, dubbed the 'White Wonder,' earned an automatic starting position and fees paid into the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) in November at Keeneland through the Win And You're In Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.
A 4-year-old daughter of Kurofune trained by Nausuke Sugai and ridden by Hayato Yoshida, Sodashi joins Captain's Ransom, winner of the Cartier Paddock Stakes (G1) in South Africa on Jan. 8, as the first two horses this year to gain free berths into the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Breaking sharply from stall five in a field of 18 fillies and mares as the 5-1 fourth choice, Sodashi raced along the rail in fourth behind pacesetter Rosa Noir, who stayed in front through the top of the stretch. Resistencia, the 12-1 sixth choice, then ranged up and moved into second. At this point, Yoshida maneuvered Sodashi slightly to the outside and she broke loose passing the 200-meter mark, powering in between Rosa Noir and Resistencia with an impressive late drive.
In winning her third Group 1 race, Sodashi completed the mile in 1:32.20 over a course listed as good to firm.
“The filly was relaxed and in good condition when I rode her in the post parade,” said Yoshida. “Once she entered the gate, she was focused and was able to make a good break and I was able to ride her in good rhythm while holding down her pace. She responded well in the stretch when I urged her to go. As today's race included a very strong field, it was like a dream for a white horse to be able to win a Group 1 race at Tokyo Racecourse.”
Sodashi improved her record to seven wins in 11 starts. She finished third last time out in the February Stakes (G1) on dirt at Tokyo on Feb. 20, a Win And You're In for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Sunday's victory was her first since defeating last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Loves Only You in the 1 ¼-mile Sapporo Kinen (G2) on Aug. 22.
Runner-up Fine Rouge struggled to find a clear path on the turn for home, but showed a persistent turn of foot to close in on the winner, passing her rivals one by one. Though unable to catch Sodashi, Fine Rouge won a four-horse rally to secure a runner-up spot by a neck over Resistencia. Rosa Noir finished fourth, followed by Songline in fifth. Daring Act, the 2020 Japanese Filly Triple Crown winner, who was making her first start in more than a year, finished sixth. Lei Papale (JPN), the 4-1 favorite, was in third place entering the stretch, but faded to 12th.
Sodashi's dam is the King Kamehameha mare Buchiko, who also is white as was her grandam Shirayukihime, by Sunday Silence.
The post ‘White Wonder’ Sodashi Thrills With Victoria Mile Win In Tokyo, Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
