Third favorite Red Falx claimed this year’s Sprinters Stakes, topping the best short-distance runners to become the autumn champion sprinter. After accumulating wins in races between 1,200 to 1,400m over both turf and dirt, the versatile five-year-old gray landed his first graded win in his latest start, the CBC Sho (G3, turf, 1,200m) in July after running on dirt in all of his other four starts of this season. After registering a second with Sakura Gospel in last year’s Sprinters Stakes, trainer Tomohito Ozeki celebrates his first JRA-G1 victory after landing a total of eight graded wins since opening his yard in 2009. Mirco Demuro, who has won all three starts in partnership with this horse, landed his 17th JRA-G1 career title with the win and his first since his victory with Jeweler in April in the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas).

Led by Mikki Isle, Solveig and Shuji, Demuro settled Red Falx in mid-field down the backstretch and steadily pushed the gray up to improve position rounding the final turns. Hitting the top of the stretch with nearly half of the field still in front to beat, the son of Swept Overboard struggled heavily to gain ground but found an amazing second gear in the last half-furlong to overtake the stubborn leaders, and eventually the frontrunner Mikki Isle at the wire, for a close head win.

“The horse was very relaxed today. We broke from a wide stall and since he doesn’t respond that well, we launched our bid early—from the third corner—and after that he just stretched well. I’ve won all three races I’ve ever been on him which makes us a terrific team. When I first rode him at Chukyo in 2014, I never imagined he would develop the way he has. He was really tough today,” commented Mirco Demuro.

In his second Sprinters Stakes challenge and after a six-month break since his last start in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen where he finished second, second favorite Mikki Isle sprinted well from the second farthest stall and set the pace by a length or two at one point, leading the field of 16 to the finish line only to be caught by the fast closing Red Falx at the wire for the runner-up seat.

Three-year-old Solveig broke well and briefly fought for the lead with Mikki Isle but was then reserved a length behind the leader on the rails with Shuji beside her. While the two chased the leader down the straight side-by-side, Solveig managed to outduel Shuji and also Nero, who gained on them from the outside, in the final strides but was tagged by the winner to finish third.

Big Arthur, winner of the Takamatsunomiya Kinen and the Centaur Stakes, was off a bit slow from stall one, sitting off the pace in fifth to sixth. Unable to make headway making the final turns, the race favorite was trapped behind horses, unable to find room for his reputable stretch run and finally lost momentum 100 meters out, finishing a dismal 12th.

Other Horses:
4th: (5) Shuji—sat around 3rd, sustained bid until 100m out, weakened thereafter
5th: (7) Snow Dragon—chased winner in10th, turned wide and accelerated at stretch, best stride late
6th: (16) Nero—advanced to 3rd or 4th from widest stall, sustained bid but weakened in last 100m
7th: (9) Satono Lupin—traveled in 6th, turned final corner in good striking position, weakened in last 100m
8th: (3) Teehaff—settled around 11th along rails, switched to stand side at early stretch, showed effort
9th: (12) Let’s Go Donki—saved ground 2nd from rear along rails, showed belated charge and timed fastest over last 3 furlongs
10th: (6) Bel Canto—ran inside winner, failed to find clear path at stretch, even paced
11th: (2) Blanc Bonheur—hugged rails around 8th, checked after passing 200m marker
13th: (14) Uliuli—trailed in rear, quickened at stretch to pass rivals
14th: (10) Red Arion—positioned 3rd from rear, unable to reach contention
15th: (11) Dance Director—raced wide 4th from rear, entered last into lane, never a threat
16th: (8) Sakura Gospel—traveled wide around 11th, no factor at stretch