02 October, 2018
Summer racing in the JRA is coming to a close as September gets underway, but August had eight different group races held at various JRA tracks around Japan, including two that were prep race for the G1 Sprinters Stakes in September and the second group race for two-year-olds.
On August 26th at Niigata Racecourse, the G3 Niigata Niisai Stakes, a 1600m turf race for two-year-olds saw the rise of another promising son of Lord Kanaloa(JPN), last year's leading Freshman Sire. Cadence Call(JPN) sat back in eighth position for most of the race before springing into action in the stretch to catch Unbroken(JPN) and Stillness(JPN) at the wire to win by a neck. Since his debut as a sire last summer, Lord Kanaloa(JPN) has quickly become Japan's hottest new stallion, achieving numbers that only Deep Impact(JPN) managed to sustain during his meteoric rise to legendary status as a stallion.
The 1200m G3 Kita-Kyushu Kinen on August 19th at Kokura Racecourse was captured by Ares Barows(JPN), a six-year-old son of Deep Impact(JPN). Braking well he settled in mid-pack with Nine Tails(JPN) and Gold Queen(JPN) setting the pace. As they turned for home Ares Barows(JPN) was boxed in on the rail with nowhere to go, once a small hole opened up infant of him as they entered the stretch, Ares Barows(JPN) responded quickly to take advantage of the situation.
The 1200m G3 Keeneland Cup on August 26th at Sapporo Racecourse was the second graded sprint race in the JRA in August, giving the winner automatic berth into the G1 Sprinters Stakes at the end of September. In the end, it was the always consistent Nac Venus(JPN) by Daiwa Major(JPN) who overpowered her male rivals and wired the Keeneland Cup. She went off as the post time favorite, just slightly more popular than G1 winner Let's Go Donki(JPN). She easily held off Danon Smash(JPN) a three-year-old son of Lord Kanaloa(JPN), who finished two and a half lengths back in second. Five-year-old Heart's Cry(JPN) mare Peisha Felicita(JPN) was a neck back in third.
The 1600m G3 Sekiya Kinen on August 12th at Niigata Racecourse ended in a Deep Impact(JPN) Trifecta. The five-year-old A Shin Twinkle(JPN) set the pace throughout the mile race but she was overtaken around the 100m mark by the three-year-old Primo Scene(JPN) for the win and five-year-old One to One(JPN) a neck further back in second, while A Shin Twinkle(JPN) held on for third.
The 2000m G3 Kokura Kinen on August 5th at Kokura Racecourse went to the impressive son of the late Turtle Bowl(IRE), Triomphe(JPN). The four-year-old gelding was putting pressure on pace-setting Mount Gold(JPN) through the first three corners before finally overtaking him as they turned for home. Triomphe(JPN) went on to win the race in a record time of 1:56.9, three lengths in front of second favorite Satono Chronicle(JPN), while Mount Gold(JPN) held on for third.
The 2000m G2 Sapporo Kinen on August 19th at Sapporo Racecourse is usually one of the first races where bigger named horses make their return to the track after a few months off for summer. Filled with familiar names and group winners, it was Sungrazer(JPN) for the win after a photo finish with 2017 G1 Japanese Derby winner Makahiki(JPN). Despite the small track at Sapporo, the pacesetters faded quickly as they charged for the finish with Sungrazer(JPN) beating two G1 winners and giving his connections hope that a G1 title will be in the four-year-old son of Deep Impact(JPN)'s future this fall. 2017 G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Mozu Katchan(JPN) was ahead behind Makahiki(JPN) in third.
The 1800m G3 Leopard Stakes on August 5th at Niigata Racecourse was the first of two graded dirt races in the JRA in the month of August. The three-year-old Grimm(JPN), managed to hang on to wire one of the few remaining graded races restricted to three-year-olds. The Zenno Rob Roy(JPN) colt got his neck in front of Hiraboku la Tache(JPN), with Big Smokey(JPN) a further three lengths back in third.
The 1700m G3 Elm Stakes on August 12th at Sapporo Racecourse was the second of two graded dirt races in the JRA in August. Dream Kirari(USA) broke sharp and led the way in the early portions of the race with Blazon de Lis(JPN) and Highland Peak(JPN) stalking him. Down the stretch, the US import started to weaken and was overtaken by the four-year-old son of Tosen Bright(JPN), Highland Peak(JPN). Dream Kirari(USA) held on for second over a fast closing Mitsuba(JPN). Eventual impressive 2018 G1 Korea Cup winner London Town(JPN) finished fourth in is last prep race before shipping to Korea to successfully defend his title on September 9th.
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/
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Satomi Oka (Ms)
Satomi Oka Bloodstock Pty Ltd
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