Fifth pick Just a Way landed his first G1 victory in this year’s Tenno Sho (Autumn) in dominating fashion while becoming the first winner sired by Heart’s Cry (JPN, by Sunday Silence) at this level. It was the second grade-race win since the Arlington Cup (G3) in February, 2012 and third overall for the late developing four-year-old who had just begun to show his true talent and strong finishes in his last three runner-up efforts in which he finished fastest over the last three furlongs. For jockey Yuichi Fukunaga, it was his second G1 title in row and 18th overall after taking the last leg of the Triple Crown, the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) with Epiphaneia last week. “The colt had a good break and I was able to position him well. He’s certainly put on strength in his hindquarters and might be able to extend his distance a little more”, commented Fukunaga after the race. Trainer Naosuke Sugai scored his sixth career G1 title with the win—his latest being the Takarazuka Kinen with Gold Ship.
Fukunaga, who had been reunited with the colt since June this year after two rides from Just a Way’s debut in 2011 and twice last year which included his first victory in the Arlington Cup, positioned the Heart’s Cry colt in mid-field around 11th and still well off the pace rounding the final turn, edged out slightly for a clear path before demonstrating a bursting turn of speed from 400 meters out then still had more once taking the front with 200 meters to go to open the gap for an overwhelming four-lengths victory.
Race favorite Gentildonna broke well from stall nine to track the pace-setter in second and was given the go soon rounding the last corner, but the surface was a little softer than her liking after days of heavy rainfall that just cleared up yesterday afternoon and the Deep Impact filly was unable to exert her strong charge to close up on the leader while holding on gamely to comfortably besting the rest.
Defending champion Eishin Flash, partnered with Mirco Demuro again this year, was rated along the rails in mid-division a few lengths in front of the winner and made attempt to angle out after the last corner but was hemmed in and unable to get a clear run until 300 meters out where he found a way to the outside and disputed for third with two other rivals, eventually gaining the share by a neck.
Other Horses:
4th: (13) Uncoiled—near the pace in sixth, weakened briefly into the lane but reemerged to dispute third
5th: (1) Codino—hugged rails around sixth disputed for third but weakened final strides
6th: (2) Nakayama Knight—raced well off the pace, met traffic after last corner, good effort thereafter while unable to threaten
7th: (8) Hit the Target—settled in rear-pack, wide into lane, improved position at stretch
8th: (17) Verde Green—raced well behind, wide at home-stretch showed belated charge
9th: (12) Fragarach—trailed in rear, passed tired rivals
10th: (11) Tokei Halo—set solid pace, quickly faded from early efforts 200m out
11th: (10) Tosen Jordan—sat in mid-division, no response at stretch
12th: (4) To the Glory—rated behind winner, angled wide but failed to quicken
13th: (14) Ocean Blue—traveled toward rear, unable to reach contention
14th: (5) Rain Stick—lagged second from rear, never a factor
15th: (3) Daiwa Falcon—disputed for 2nd early, came up empty from early effort
16th: (16) Danon Ballade—raced 3w in 5th, failed to sustain bid at stretch
17th: (15) Red Spada—forwardly positioned in 4th, came up empty at 400m-marker