Sixth pick Nihonpiro Ours displayed an impressive closing drive to claim this year’s Japan Cup Dirt title with a record time of 1:48.8, capturing his first G1 title and fourth grade-race win. After finishing ninth in last year’s Japan Cup Dirt, the White Muzzle dark bay claimed his first grade-race title in the Nagoya Grand Prix (dirt, 2,500m) in December and accumulated two more graded wins in the Hakusan Daishoten (dirt, 2,100m) and the Nagoya Daishoten (dirt, 1,900m), and two grade-race runner-up efforts in the Tokai Stakes (G2, dirt, 1,900m) and the Miyako Stakes—his last start, in which he was a neck short of race favorite Roman Legend. This win marks his tenth win out of 22 career starts, of which he was out of the money in only three occasions. Jockey Manabu Sakai was overwhelmed with joy in landing his first G1 victory after 15 years from his debut—his third JRA grade-race title this year and sixth overall. This also marked trainer Yuki Ohashi’s first G1 achievement in 11th year since opening his stable—his second JRA grad-race title.

Third-pick and this year’s JBC Classic champion Wonder Acute finished second again following last year, while ninth-favored Hokko Tarumae, who is coming off a third-place finish in the Miyako Stakes, finished third.

The race broke off with 2009 Japan Cup Dirt champion Espoir City dashing out to take command. Hokko Tarumae also shot out from stall nine to press the pace in second with defending champion Transcend racing on the inside in third. Nihonpiro Ours, breaking smoothly from stall 14, settled outside the two horses pressing the pace and traveled wide in fourth, with Wonder Acute stalking behind in fifth. Race favorite Roman Legend traveled along the rail in mid-field, about eight lengths behind the frontrunner, who set a fast pace, widening the gap between the remaining field to five lengths down the backstretch.

As the field entered the last two corners, closing in on the frontrunner, Hokko Tarumae made bid rounding the last corner and faced the homestretch in front with Nihonpiro Ours following right behind on the outside. The two horses rallied fiercely at the top of the stretch, and once the son of White Muzzle took the front 200 meters out, the dark bay gave a tremendous turn of foot in the last furlong and easily sped away to a 3-1/2-length victory, running the last three furlongs the fastest of the field and breaking the race record set by Transcend in 2010 by 0.1 second. Wonder Acute, slipping out from the pack behind the two leaders, accelerated powerfully in the last furlong and nailed Hokko Tarumae in the last strides to cross the wire 1/2 length ahead in second. Roman Legend also exerted a strong late charge but was too late to catch up with Hokko Tarumae to finish two lengths behind in fourth.

Comments from the winning connections:
Manabu Sakai, Jockey:
“From the first time I mounted the horse, I knew that he had the ability to perform well in big races. All the staff had put great effort in preparing the horse for this big day, and I just had to bring out the best in the horse today. I was able to settle the horse in good position towards the front while keeping an eye on the two strong horses racing in front. My mount responded willingly until the last furlong and showed a strong performance. I’m just grateful to the connections in trusting me with the horse and to all the fans that supported us.”

Yuki Ohashi, Trainer:
“The race development was just perfect. The jockey waited to make bid, which was later than usual, and this is when I was sure that our horse was going to win the race. We took ample time to improve his form, and our efforts have at last been rewarded.”

Other Horses:
5th: (13) Grape Brandy—11th favorite, 3w in mid-pack behind runner-up, entered lane beside winner, sustained effort to hold late chargers
6th: (3) Miracle Legend—14th pick, settled in mid-division, lost room entering stretch, launched belated charge and finished willingly
7th: (6) Namura Titan—13th choice, stumbled at break, rushed toward rear mid-group, quickened along rail, fought well but belatedly
8th: (1) Hatano Vainqueur—8th favorite, trailed almost rear, improved position while turning wide to stretch, showed impressive effort but was too late
9th: (2) Civil War—12th choice, hugged rail in 6th, made headway outer to avoid tired rival in final corner, but lacked need kick
10th: (4) Espoir City—2nd favorite, set fast pace, gapped about 5 lengths between remaining field at backstretch, came up empty at top of the stretch due to early effort
11th: (16) Nice Meet You—16th pick, trailed in rear throughout, brief effort inside at straight, but never reach contention
12th: (5) To the Glory—7th choice, first start on dirt, sat 2-wide in mid-pack, improved to striking position toward the final stage, unsuccessful late charge
13th: (15) Solitary King—10th favorite, travelled towards rear in mid-division, chose inside route entering straight then found little room, never a threat
14th: (11) Danon Come On—15th choice, settled in rear-pack, failed to respond entering lane
15th: (8) Ijigen—4th favorite, broke off slow following previous start, raced wide towards rear, headway outer in last 800m, no factor at stretch
16th: (7) Transcend—5th pick, advanced willingly after break, tracked leader in 2nd or 3rd along rail, outpaced by rivals passing 3rd corner, then faded