Search
where the horse is always the hero
Article Item
Posted 2016-05-04 04:49:06  
Kitasan Black Captures Tenno Sho (Spring) Title in Nail-Biting Duel

Kitasan Black under Yutaka Take, dominated this year’s Tenno Sho (Spring) by four centimeters in a photo-finish to notch the title from last year’s third-place finisher Curren Mirotic. After his first G1 triumph in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, 3,000m) last year, the Black Tide colt turned in a good third in the year-end Arima Kinen against top-graded older horses and also demonstrated a promising runner-up finish in his kick-off start of the season, the Sankei Osaka Hai (G2, 2,000m) last month. This becomes trainer Hisashi Shimizu’s second G1 title since claiming the Kikuka Sho with the colt last year. Yutaka Take celebrates his seventh Tenno Sho (Spring) title, the last with Deep Impact in 2006, and has reached a milestone of 70 JRA-G1 wins with this victory extending the extraordinary record he himself holds. His most previous G1 win was in the 2015 February Stakes with Copano Rickey.

Breaking from the inner-most stall, Kitasan Black sprinted well to dash to the front with Yamanin Voielactee pressing the pace from his outside and 13th favorite Curren Mirotic in close pursuit right behind the leader in third. The three front runners maintained their positions and steady pace in front of the stands and in the backstretch while the others sat tight waiting to make their bids. As the field approached the last turn and with Yamanin Voielactee fading from his early efforts, Yutaka Take drove his mount down the stretch and narrowly held off a determined challenge from the eight-year-old gelding of Heart’s Cry in a result of a 150m classic head-to-head duel, just by a whisker at the wire, for the bay colt’s second G1 victory.
“I was intending to settle him in a good position after the start. He ran an ideal race—he responded beautifully. He’s not the type with an enormous burst of speed, so we made an early bid. It was so close but I’m glad he never gave up and stretched the way he did,” commented Yutaka Take.
Settled right in the middle of the field and on the rails, third favorite Cheval Grand found a clear inner path at the final corner as the others fanned out and dug in strongly picking off Toho Jackal in the last 100 meters but was a far 1-1/4-length third behind the dueling two.
Sent off favorite from a wide stall and with hopes to extend his five-race winning streak, last year’s Arima Kinen winner Gold Actor traveled wide in seventh to eighth and, although making headway rounding the last turns improving position at one point to second, came up empty in the stretch and faded to 12th.
Other Horses:
4th: (11) Tanta Alegria—sat in mid-group, timed fastest over last 3 furlongs, 1/2 length short for 3rd
5th: (9) Toho Jackal—raced in mid-pack, advanced position after 3rd corner, sustained bid, weakened in last 100m
6th: (10) Albert—saved ground in mid-division, accelerated between horses but was too late
7th: (7) Fata Morgana—ran 3-wide in mid-pack, lacked needed kick at stretch
8th: (5) Fame Game—hugged rails near rear, angled wide, showed belated charge
9th: (6) Admire Deus—traveled along rails in 6th, ran gamely until 100m out, outrun thereafter
10th: (18) Reve Mistral—trailed in rear, passed tired rivals at stretch
11th: (14) Satono Noblesse—raced in mid-group, even paced
13th: (2) Twinkle—settled 2nd from rear, made headway at backstretch, never fired at stretch
14th: (16) Phantom Light—sat 3-wide toward rear, unable to reach contention
15th: (15) Sounds of Earth—stalked leaders in 4-5th, driven after 3rd corner but nothing left at stretch
16th: (13) Meiner Medalist—traveled 3-wide in 4-5th, dropped back before last corner
17th: (12) Yamanin Voielactee—chased winner in 2nd, ran out of steam around last corner
18th: (4) Tosen Reve—raced in mid-division, faded after turning last corner 

Rate:
Email link to a friend | Printable Version
  • Japan
    Displaying 10 ResultsSee All
    gr1 saudi cup winner, panthalassa retired2024-01-08

    Dubbed the "Fugitive of Reiwa," Panthalassa, a two-time G1 champion clinching victories in...

    View | Add Comment
    historic achievement: rachel king granted prestigious license2024-01-05

    The Japan Racing Association (JRA) has officially accepted Rachel King's application for a short-ter...

    View | Add Comment
    regaleira becomes first filly to win hopeful stakes gr12023-12-28

    Regaleira made history by becoming the first filly to win the Hopeful Stakes, setting a race record ...

    View | Add Comment
    legend jock take and do deuce win the biggest betting race in the world! 2023-12-24

    Do Deuce, partnered with the 54 year old legendary jockey Yutaka Take for the first time this season...

    View | Add Comment
    unbeaten colt remains so in gr1 japanese juvenile race2023-12-17

    In the heart of Hanshin Racecourse, a rising star named Jantar Mantar painted the turf with victor...

    View | Add Comment
    equinox sets up dream date with almond eye2023-12-16

      The Champion of the World and best turf racehorse since Frankel, Equinox, has a dream date w...

    View | Add Comment
    darley japan acquires yoshida and palace malice 2023-12-14

    Darley in Japan has expanded its stallion lineup with the introduction of two notable horses –...

    View | Add Comment
    equinox to stand for highest fee in japan 2023-12-07

    Equinox, recently crowned as the world's top-ranked racehorse and triumphant in the Japan Cup (G1) j...

    View | Add Comment
    world best equinox retires2023-11-30

    Equinox, hailed as the epitome of equine excellence, has gracefully concluded his racing career, lea...

    View | Add Comment
    equinox supreme and stamps authority in japan cup win2023-11-26

    Equinox showcased his superiority in this year's Japan Cup, triumphing over a formidable field that ...

    View | Add Comment