10 July, 2018
June brings the end to the JRA Spring racing calendar and the beginning of the Summer calendar in Japan. There were seven graded stakes races, including two G1 races this past month with the Hokkaido tracks opened near the end of the month as the JRA's principal racecourses closed for the summer. Starting in June, two-year-olds finally make their debut, and the majority of graded stakes races for older horses are opened up to three-year-olds.
There was only one dirt race in June, the G3 Unicorn Stakes, run over 1600m at Tokyo, which was restricted to three-year-olds. In a brilliant display, Le Vent Se Leve(JPN) ran away from the pack to finally return to his winning form after a disappointing six months. Great Time(JPN) and Engrosser(JPN) rallied from the back of the pack to finish second and third. Four runners, including the top two, will head to the JPNI Japan Dirt Derby, held at Ohi Racetrack on July 11th.
On the same day, June 17th, as the Unicorn Stakes was the G3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes held at Hakodate Racetrack in Hokkaido. The 1200m turf sprint was claimed by 2017 G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen winner Seiun Kosei(JPN) who held on by a nose over a fast closing dark horse Hiruno Devaro(JPN). Post time favorite Nac Venus(JPN) was a neck back in third.
On June 10th, the 1800m G3 Epsom Cup at Tokyo saw Satono Arthur(JPN) claim his first graded stakes victory by half a length over Hakusan Rudolf(JPN), with Gruyeres(JPN) three-quarters of a length in third. Despite being open to three-year-olds, the four-year-old Satono Arthur(JPN) was one of the youngest in the field and finally started lived up to his hefty ¥195,000,000(USD$1,572,581) Select Sale price tag.
The first graded stakes open to three-year-olds was the G3 Naruo Kinen on June 2nd. The 2000m turf race held at Hanshin also had no young guns in the race and was claimed by five-year-old Strong Titan(USA) who beat favorite Triomphe(JPN) by half a length. Second favorite Tricolore Bleu(JPN) was third.
In the only race this month for fillies and mares, the G3 Mermaid Stakes on June 10th at Hanshin saw an upset when six-year-old tenth favorite Andriette(JPN) narrowly held off ninth favorite One Breath Away(JPN) by a neck at the wire. Mieno Succeed was two lengths back in third. The favorite, Reiho Romance(JPN) suffered a poor start and could only work her way up to sixth over the course of the 2000m race.
The G1 Yasuda Kinen on June 3rd at Tokyo was the first JRA G1 to be open to three-year-olds, but all those nominated pulled out at the last minute, deciding on taking the summer off versus taking on older horses for the first time. The Spring-time Miler crown was earned by four-year-old Mozu Ascot(USA), the second Frankel(GB) offspring to win a G1 in Japan. Due to a large number of nominated horses, Mozu Ascot(USA) had raced the previous weekend in an Open Class race to earn enough stakes money to qualify for the Yasuda Kinen, but a botched start had him finish second. Thanks to the withdrawals he was able to run in the G1, but punters were not keen on a horse who was running back to back races. He started as ninth favorite but didn't run like one, catching up to 2017 G1 NHK Mile winner Aerolithe(JPN) just in time to win by a neck. Favorite Suave Richard(JPN), who was starting over a mile for the first time, finished third by three-quarters of a length. Mozu Ascot(USA) became the first foreign-bred Japanese horse to win a JRA G1 since Asia Express(USA) won the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes in 2013.
As the last JRA G1 till September, the 2200m Takarazuka Kinen on June 24th at Hanshin is one of the most anticipated races on the calendar. Each year a fan poll is taken over two months to choose the top ten most popular horses in the country and give them free entry if they wish to participate in the Takarazuka Kinen. Over a million racing fans turned in their desired field and this year, but only three were able to make the race. Satono Diamond(JPN) was the most popular with 63,599 votes, while Satono Crown(JPN) and Kiseki(JPN) came in fifth and seventh on the fan's wish list. However, it was the fan's 29th favorite, Mikki Rocket(JPN) who stormed home and upset the race. Hong Kong raider and tenth favorite Werther(NZ), who despite having lost 27kg since his last start finished strongly in second by only a neck. Twelfth favorite Noble Mars(JPN) finished three lengths back in third. Favorite Satono Diamond(JPN) started slow and while he made a modest rally at the turn for home faded to sixth.
All JRA graded stakes results and race replays are available on Japan Association for International Racing, and Stud Book (JAIRS)'s website: http://japanracing.jp/
124JPY=1USD
Please contact our representative below for further details:
Satomi Oka (Ms)
Satomi Oka Bloodstock Pty Ltd
E-mail : satomi@bloodstock.jp
Tel : +61 414 414 450