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Posted 2016-03-28 21:01:50  
Big Arthur Captures First Grade-race Title in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Odds-on-favorite Big Arthur, who has been posted race favorite in ten out of 11 career starts, measured up to the expectation of the fans by claiming his first grade-race title in his first G1 challenge with record time. He has marked seven wins and two runner-up efforts in ten starts over 1,200 meters so far. Debuting in April of his three-year-old season, Big Arthur immediately marked a five-race winning streak then finished second in his first grade-race challenge, the Kitakyushu Kinen (G3, 1,200m) in August last year. He claimed another win then a second and a third in the following Keihan Hai (G3, 1,200m) and Hanshin Cup (G2, 1,400m), respectively, before concluding his four-year-old season. He was fifth in the Silk Road Stakes (G3, 1,200m), his only race this year coming into this race. Trainer Kenichi Fujioka claimed his first JRA-G1 title and ninth grade-race win since opening his stable in 2002. Yuichi Fukunaga, who partnered with Big Arthur for the first time, marked his 19th JRA-G1 win following his Tenno Sho (Autumn) victory with Just a Way in 2013 and his second Takamatsunomiya Kinen title, which he won with Sunningdale in 2004.

Five-year-old Big Arthur broke smoothly from stall four and settled fourth behind the fast pace set by Laurel Veloce with Hakusan Moon and Mikki Isle in close pursuit. Turning wide through the corners, the son of Sakura Bakushin O burst out behind Mikki Isle who nailed the front around the 200-meter pole, and continued to unleash a strong burst of speed to overtake the lead 100 meters out then further accelerated to cross the wire 3/4 length in front.

“With the fast-pace track condition, we were able to break well and travel smoothly in perfect position. The frontrunners were persistent but my mount managed to fend them off. The horse has the form of a great sprinter and can also maintain speed. He will definitely be leading the sprinters going forward,” commented Yuichi Fukunaga.

Second pick Mikki Isle settled in good position behind the two frontrunners and slipped out at the top of the homestretch to nail the front in revenge of his third-place finish last year, but weakened in the last 100 meters to finish second.

Third favorite Albiano traveled wide in mid-division and, although crowded in at the top of the stretch, Christophe Lemaire skillfully guided his mount through a narrow gap, under which the four-year-old filly exerted a powerful kick in the last furlong, chasing the two leaders and holding off the strong challenge by Active Minoru before the wire to finish third.

Other Horses:
4th: (10) Active Minoru—chased winner in 7th, switched to outside for clear path at early stretch, quickened
5th: (13) A Shin Bullseye—sat toward rear, responded well after 200m pole, finished strongly
6th: (9) Teehaff—saved ground in 2nd from rear, quickened along rails in last 200m
7th: (5) Snow Dragon—raced in mid-group, showed effort until 100m out
8th: (11) Let’s Go Donki—positioned toward rear, met traffic at furlong pole, then accelerated
9th: (12) Uliuli—traveled in mid-pack, quickened until 100m out, lacked needed kick
10th: (14) Earth Sonic—ran wide in mid division, improved position at straight
11th: (18) Hakusan Moon—pressed pace in 2nd, sustained bid until 200m out, weakened
12th: (17) Hiruno Devaro—traveled wide in mid-pack, passed tired rivals at straight
13th: (2) Ukiyono Kaze—trailed in rear, timed fastest over last 3 furlongs, was too late
14th: (1) Bravissimo—hugged rail in mid-division, found little room 200m out, lost momentum
15th: (16) Sugino Endeavour—ran 3rd from last, even paced at stretch
16th: (15) Laurel Veloce—set fast pace, sustained bid until 200m out, used up
17th: (3) Sakura Gospel—raced inside winner in 5th, met traffic 300m out, then outrun
18th: (7) Satono Lupin—stalked winner in 6th, dropped back after passing 200m marker 

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