21 December, 2022
As the new year ticks on, so do the many spectacular graded stakes races in the JRA.
In the G3 1600m, Tokyo Shimbun Hai at Tokyo Racecourse on February 6th Elusive Panther(JPN) by Heart's Cry(JPN) earned his first graded stakes title. Despite the short distance of the race, the colt settled near the back of the pack. As they charge down the track, he angles out toward the center and launches into a powerful closing drive to win by a length and three quarters. Fine Rouge(JPN) by Kizuna(JPN) was second, and Karate(JPN) by To the Glory(JPN) was a neck back in third.
In the G3 2000m, Kisaragi Sho at Chukyo Racecourse on February 6th, Matenro Leo(JPN) by Heart'sHeart's Cry(JPN) won his first graded stakes race. He started off a little slow and settled in around the eighth position during the race's early stages. He swung wide in the stretch and dug deep to work his way to the lead. He caught up with Dante's View(JPN) by King Kamehameha(JPN), and the two dueled it out down to the wire with Matenro Leo(JPN) getting his nose in front in the final stride. Dante's View(JPN) was second, and pacesetter Meisho Gekirin(JPN) by Kizuna(JPN) was a length and a half back in third.
In the G3 1600m, Queen Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on February 12th, second favorite Presage Lift(JPN) by Harbinger(GB) got up in the final strides to win her first graded stakes title. Presage Lift(JPN) was a little slow at the jump, so she had to settle in towards the back of the pack. As they entered the stretch, she angled out and came charging down the center of the track. Favorite Stars on Earth(JPN) by Duramente(JPN), who had been off the pace early on, threaded between horses to hit the lead at the 200m mark and looked like the winner but Presage Lift(JPN) kept charging down the center of the track to catch her at the wire to win by a neck. Belle Cresta(JPN) by Duramente(JPN) was three-quarters of a length back in third.
In the G3 1800m Kyodo New Hai at Tokyo Racecourse on February 13th, third favorite Danon Beluga(JPN) by Heart's Cry(JPN) beat out favorite Geoglyph(JPN) by Drefong(USA) to earn his first graded stakes title. Danon Beluga(JPN) settled mid-pack during the race's early stages. He was forced to stay wide during the entire time, but that gave him the space he needed in the stretch to be able to launch into a strong closing drive. He charged down the middle of the track, easily holding off Geoglyph(JPN) to win by a length and a half. Geoglyph(JPN) was second, and Be Astonished(JPN) by American Patriot(USA) was another length and a half behind.
African Gold(JPN) by Stay Gold(JPN) posted a significant upset in the G2 2200m Kyoto Kinen at Hanshin Racecourse on February 13th. The 12th favorite African Gold(JPN) broke sharply, took the lead right away, and never looked back. As the turn entered on the backstretch, it looked like the pack was going to catch up with the seven-year-old gelding, but he found another gear, regained his solid lead, and held onto it to win by a length and a quarter. Tagano Diamante(JPN) by Orfevre(JPN) was second and Sanrei Pocket(JPN) by Jungle Pocket(JPN) was a neck back in third.
In the G3 3400m, Diamond Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse on February 19th, T O Royal(JPN) by Leontes(JPN) earned his first graded stakes title. He settled into the perfect position off the pace before charging home to win by an easy two and a half lengths. Run for the Roses(JPN) by King Kamehameha(JPN) was second, and Tosen Cambina(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) was half a length back in third.
In the G3 1400m, Kyoto Himba Stakes at Hanshin Racecourse on February 19th Lotus Land(USA) by Point of Entry(USA) stalked the pace from the start and held on to capture her second graded stakes title by half a length. Sky Groove(JPN) by Epiphaneia(JPN) was second, and Tantalus(JPN) by King Kamehameha(JPN) was a length back in third.
The G1 1600m February Stakes on dirt at Tokyo Racecourse on February 20th is the first graded stakes race of the JRA calendar for the year. Cafe Pharoah(USA) by American Pharoah(USA) stalked the pace and powered down the stretch to win it by two and a half lengths, in a similar way he did last year. T M South Dan(JPN) by South Vigorous(USA), who had set the pace, held on for second while Sodashi(JPN) by Kurofune(USA), the brilliant white filly, was half a length back in third.
In the G3 1800m Kokura Daishoten at Kokura Racecourse on February 20th, Arrivo(JPN) by Duramente(JPN) got up to win his first graded stakes win by a length and three quarters. Rambling Alley(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) was second, and Cadenas(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN) was a neck back in third.
In the G2 1800m, Nakayama Kinen at Nakayama Racecourse on February 27th, Panthalassa(JPN) by Lord Kanaloa(JPN) went wire to wire to capture his second graded stakes title. Karate(JPN) by To the Glory(JPN) was second by two and a half lengths, and Admire Hadar(JPN) by Lord Kanaloa(JPN) was a neck back in third.
In the G3 1400m, Hankyu Hai at Hanshin Racecourse on February 27th, Diatonic(JPN) by Lord Kanaloa(JPN) held on to win his third graded stakes race. Travesura(JPN) by Dream Journey(JPN) was second by a neck, and Sunrise Honest(JPN) by Daiwa Major(JPN) was two lengths 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/.
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Satomi Oka (Ms)
Satomi Oka Bloodstock Pty Ltd
E-mail : satomi@bloodstock.jp
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