25 August, 2020
As the summer racing season progresses during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still no spectators allowed at the races. However, racing continued in July uninterrupted.
The 1800m G3 Radio Nikkei Sho at Fukushima Racecourse on July 5th saw G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner up Nakayama Festa(JPN) get his second graded stakes winner as a sire when Babbitt(JPN) went wire to wire. It proved a cakewalk for the three-year-old colt winning by an extraordinary five lengths over Panthalassa(JPN), by Lord Kanaloa(JPN), with Deep King(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) a head back in third.
In the 1200m G3 CBC Sho at Hanshin Racecourse, also on July 5th, 13th favorite Love Kampf(JPN) by Shonan Kampf(JPN) posted a significant upset to claim her first graded stakes title. 2018 had been very frustrating, having run second in three graded stakes races, including the G1 Sprinters Stakes. Then 2019 and the early 2020 season were very disappointing as well, as she was unable to hit the board in any major races at all, the five-year-old mare made this one count going wire to wire to win by a length and three quarters over Aonbharr(JPN) by Lord Kanaloa(JPN). Red en Ciel(JPN) by Manhattan Cafe(JPN) was a further two lengths back in third.
In the 2000m G3 Takabata Sho at Fukushima Racecourse on July 12th, 2000m specialist Crescendo Love(JPN) by Stay Gold(JPN) closed strongly to capture his second graded stake win, first of the season. The six-year-old stayed near the back of the pack, but throughout the ten-furlong race, he moved his way up to be within striking distance at the top of the stretch. He pulled clear to win by a length over Bravas(JPN) by King Kamehameha(JPN) and out of Gentildonna(JPN)'s old rival Verxina(JPN). Vin Quet Domingo(JPN) by Rulership(JPN) was a half-length back in third.
The 1400m G3 Procyon Stakes at Hanshin Racecourse also on July 12th saw JPN1 winner Sunrise Nova(JPN) by Gold Allure(JPN) capture his third JRA G3 win. The six-year-old was third in this year's G1 February Stakes and the JPN1 Kashiwa Kinen and started at a disadvantage early on. The post time fifth favorite overcame his positioning to finish strong, defeating Air Spinel(JPN) by King Kamehameha(JPN) by a length and three quarters. Yamanin Imprime(JPN) by Sinister Minister(USA) was another half a length back in third.
The 1200m G3 Hakodate Nisai Stakes at Hakodate Racecourse on July 18th was the first graded stakes race for two-year-olds in Japan this year. Ringoame(JPN), a precocious Matsurida Gogh(JPN) filly, brought home the glory after stalking the pace in the early stages. She upset the race as 10th favorite, getting her neck in-front of Luce d'Oro(JPN), a colt by freshman sire Makfi(GB). Love Kelly(JPN) by Curren Black Hill(JPN) was another neck back in third.
In the 2000m G3 Hakodate Kinen at Hakodate Racecourse on July 19th, Admire Justa(JPN) by Just a Way(JPN) finally captured his first graded stakes victory. Now four-years-old, the colt had started with a highly promising second-place finish in the G1 Hopeful Stakes as a two-year-old. He fell flat after that and finally found himself again in this race. He sat mid-pack throughout before making his drive in the stretch. He won by a solid length and a half over Duomo(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN). Bio Spark(JPN) by Orfevre(JPN) was a neck back in third.
In the 1600m G3 Chukyo Kinen at Chukyo Racecourse on also on July 19th, Hard Spun(USA), who took in Japan for just one season, earned his first JRA graded stakes win with Meikei Die Hard(JPN). It was a mega upset, with the five-year-old going off at 163 to 1 as 18th in the betting out of 18 runners. He worked his way up to mid-pack and gained a slight lead, which allowed him to hold off a closing Russet(JPN) by Monterosso(GB) by a neck. Entscheiden(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) was another beck back in third.
The 1000m G3 Ibis Summer Dash at Niigata Racecourse on July 26th is a unique race, where the field starts in a shoot at the top of the stretch and races in a straight line to the finish. The second favorite, Jo Kana Chan(JPN) by Lord Kanaloa(JPN) beat out favorite Lion Boss(JPN) by Battle Plan(USA) by a head. Believer(JPN) by Monterosso(GB) was a neck back in third.
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/.
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