Japan Horse Racing Tips-Umanity.jp

It is the turn of the colts this week, when Nakayama Racecourse, just outside of Tokyo, will be the venue for the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas). Run over 2,000 meters on the inner turf course at the track, the race is the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, and invariably gives some insight into what to expect from the second leg of the series, the Grade 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), to be run in May. A total of 24 winners of the first colts’ Classic have gone on to win the Derby.

First run in 1939 at the Yokohama Racecourse, what was to become the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) was transferred to Tokyo four years later, the year it also got its current name. Nakayama started to host the race in 1949, and in 1950 the distance was changed to what it is now, 2,000 meters, having previously been 1,850 meters.

The Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) is for 3-year-old colts, and this year sees 20 nominations for a maximum field size of 18. No geldings are permitted, but occasionally fillies take on the race, and that’s the case this year, with last year’s Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes winner, Regaleira, trying to overcome the colts. She will carry 55kg, whereas the rest of the runners will have the set weight for colts, which is 57kg. A filly hasn’t won the race for 76 years.

Races leading up to this week’s feature race have included the Grade 2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (Deep Impact Kinen), run over 2,000 meters at Nakayama in March, and the Grade 2 Fuji TV Sho Spring Stakes, also run at Nakayama in March, but over 1,800 meters, with both of those being official trial races for this Sunday’s race.

During the last ten years, just two first favorites have won the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), with Contrail being the last one to win in 2020. Horses trained in the east of Japan at the Miho Training Center have won six times in that same time period. Record time for the race was set by Al Ain in 2017, when he won in a time of 1 minute 57.8 seconds. This year’s winner’s check is JPY200 million (approximately USD1.4 million).

The 84th running of the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) will be Race 11 on the Sunday card at Nakayama, with a post time in Japan of 15:40. The final declarations and the barrier draw will be available later in the week.

Here’s an early look at some of the top 3-year-olds expected to be in the line-up:

Regaleira: The filly by Suave Richard produced a great turn of foot to win the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at the end of last year, and this Sunday will see her race for the first time as a 3-year-old. With her weight being just above 450kg last year, she will likely be one of the smallest horses in the race this week, but she has shown that she packs a punch all the same. Assistant trainer Yuya Tsuchida said: “She wasn’t particularly switched on for the Ivy Stakes last year, but in the Hopeful Stakes she put in a strong performance. She didn’t start very well in that race, but her closing finish was exceptional. They’ve taken good care of her at the farm, and she’s returned to the stable in good shape.”

Shin Emperor: The French-bred Shin Emperor is a full-brother to the 2020 Grade 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass, and he has looked quite impressive in his races so far. He is coming off a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (Deep Impact Kinen) in March, his only run as a 3-year-old. Assistant trainer Yusaku Oka commented: “He got bumped at the first corner last time, and then had to race on the inside where the ground wasn’t so good. Consequently, he didn’t run on so well from the fourth corner. On his pedigree, softer ground shouldn’t be a worry, although the ground could be bad for the Satsuki Sho, which is the last week of racing at Nakayama, and I worry a little about that. After his break at the farm, he’s returned to the stable and looks a little loose, but there’s still time for him to get better before this next race.”

Jantar Mantar: The colt by Palace Malice was unbeaten in three starts as a 2-year-old, which included his win in the Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes at the end of last year. In just one run this year, he was just beaten into second by Justin Milano in the Grade 3 Kyodo News Hai (Tokinominoru Kinen) at Tokyo over 1,800 meters in February. Trainer Tomokazu Takano commented on the horse: “He showed when he raced at Tokyo last time that he wasn’t bothered by the long transportation to the track. He was well behaved and calm before the race and at the gate, but he showed a lot of power in the race itself. After that he went to the Yamamoto Training Center for a break, and has come back in good condition. He now seems easier to ride.”

Justin Milano: In what was just his second career start last time, Justin Milano won the Grade 3 Kyodo News Hai (Tokinominoru Kinen) at Tokyo in February, and the chances are there’s some more to come from him, so he seems a worthy contender for this next race. The colt by Kizuna is trained by Yasuo Tomomichi, and the trainer recently gave his opinion of things: “He’s had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki, with this race in mind for him next. He was a little tense for the trip over to Tokyo last time, but hopefully this time he’ll be more settled for the travel to Nakayama. It’s a small oval track, and with it being the last day of the meeting, the ground could be rough. He’s a horse with a big stride, and the going on the day could be the key to things.”

Cosmo Kuranda: Causing an upset last time when winning the Grade 2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (Deep Impact Kinen) at odds of 38/1, the colt by Al Ain - winner of the race in 2017 - most probably has more to offer, and won’t be sent off at such long odds this time. Trained by Shizuya Kato, recent comments on the horse from assistant training staff were: “He’s been at the stable since his last race, and we’ve been able to take things easy with him. There’s no pressure for fast times in training, but just to get his workload right is fine. He looks well in his coat and he seems in good condition.” Giving another boost to Cosmo Kuranda’s chances is the booking of Joao Moreira for the ride on the Big Red Farm owned and bred colt.

Danon Decile: Jockey Norihiro Yokoyama has struck up a great partnership with Danon Decile, and he rode him to win last time in the Grade 3 Keisei Hai over 2,000 meters at Nakayama in January. It will be the fifth start for the colt by Epiphaneia, who is trained at the Ritto Training Center by Shogo Yasuda. The trainer commented: “With every race he has, he understands more and his attitude improves every time. He was still a bit loose in his run in the Keisei Hai, but he can get better still, I think. His prize money is enough now, so we’ve been able to go straight to this race, and the long-term view would be the Derby.”

Mr G T: Trainer Yoshito Yahagi has three horses among the nominations, and while Shin Emperor might be considered his best chance of winning, Mr G T shouldn’t be far away, after managing a fifth-place finish in last year’s Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, and most recently was seen winning the Listed Wakaba Stakes over 2,000 meters at Hanshin in March. Assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said: “His win last time in the Wakaba Stakes was achieved in a different way, and he was by no means flat out at the end of the race. He wasn’t quite so tense before the race, so hopefully that will be the case this time too, with the transportation to Nakayama to consider.”

Byzantine Dream: Another colt by Epiphaneia, Byzantine Dream is unbeaten in two starts so far, one as a 2-year-old, and the other just recently, when he won the Grade 3 Kisaragi Sho over 1,800 meters at Kyoto in February, his first race as a 3-year-old. Comments from assistant training staff were: “He had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki after the Kisaragi Sho, and since returning, we’ve been using a crossover noseband in training, and it seems to help him relax more. He posted a recent 54.8 seconds time on the uphill training track over four furlongs, and his preparation’s been going well, now that he’s calmer.” Bauyrzhan Murzabayev is set for the ride on Byzantine Dream.

Obamburumai came up short despite a valiant effort in The Star Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick on Saturday (April 6), finishing 13th out of 19 in the Grade 1 affair at Australian Turf Club.

The Keiji Yoshimura-trained Obamburumai — the lone challenger from Japan in the $4 million (AUD) race — struggled with the off track done in by the rain overnight in Sydney, ending up almost four lengths behind winner Celestial Legend who captured his second Grade 1 title following his triumph in The Agency Randwick Guineas on March 9.

Four-year-old Obamburumai, by Discreet Cat from Pink Gerbera, got a good jump out of the No. 2 gate under Damian Lane, pushing through along the rails with Phearson grabbing the early lead and Celestial Legend lurking towards the rear.

As the pack bunched up rounding for home, Obamburumai held steady but was boxed in, unable to gather the momentum for the stretch run. Celestial Legend as well as eventual runners-up Pericles and Militarize came around the corner on the outside, crashing the goal late while Obanburumai retreated on the inside.

Celestial Legend’s winning time was 1 minute, 35.27 seconds. Obamburumai was eyeing to recreate the magic from last November when he edged Pericles in the James Squire Golden Eagle to win his first start overseas, but that will have to be saved for another day.

Yoshimura maintained that Obamburumai, who suffered the worst defeat of his seven-start career, was in good enough form to make a run for the money in Australia again but was thrown by the yielding turf rated a “Heavy 8” by organizers.

“The horse was fit. He had good position during the trip and would have picked it up had he had space turning for home,” Yoshimura looked back. “But he just did not respond when the race opened up. The going was heavy due to the rain until the morning. He is still early in his career and I expect the experience from here to pay dividends further down the road.”

Lane echoed the trainer, saying it would have been a different story had it not been for the track conditions.

“He traveled well. The race unfolded like we had hoped. I think if we had a bit more space on the straight he would have quickened better,” said the jockey. “The horse ran his heart out. But he felt better during the workout on Wednesday when the surface was a lot drier than today.”

It is the turn of the colts this week, when Nakayama Racecourse, just outside of Tokyo, will be the venue for the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas). Run over 2,000 meters on the inner turf course at the track, the race is the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, and invariably gives some insight into what to expect from the second leg of the series, the Grade 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), to be run in May. A total of 24 winners of the first colts’ Classic have gone on to win the Derby.

First run in 1939 at the Yokohama Racecourse, what was to become the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) was transferred to Tokyo four years later, the year it also got its current name. Nakayama started to host the race in 1949, and in 1950 the distance was changed to what it is now, 2,000 meters, having previously been 1,850 meters.

The Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) is for 3-year-old colts, and this year sees 20 nominations for a maximum field size of 18. No geldings are permitted, but occasionally fillies take on the race, and that’s the case this year, with last year’s Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes winner, Regaleira, trying to overcome the colts. She will carry 55kg, whereas the rest of the runners will have the set weight for colts, which is 57kg. A filly hasn’t won the race for 76 years.

Races leading up to this week’s feature race have included the Grade 2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (Deep Impact Kinen), run over 2,000 meters at Nakayama in March, and the Grade 2 Fuji TV Sho Spring Stakes, also run at Nakayama in March, but over 1,800 meters, with both of those being official trial races for this Sunday’s race.

During the last ten years, just two first favorites have won the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), with Contrail being the last one to win in 2020. Horses trained in the east of Japan at the Miho Training Center have won six times in that same time period. Record time for the race was set by Al Ain in 2017, when he won in a time of 1 minute 57.8 seconds. This year’s winner’s check is JPY200 million (approximately USD1.4 million).

The 84th running of the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) will be Race 11 on the Sunday card at Nakayama, with a post time in Japan of 15:40. The final declarations and the barrier draw will be available later in the week.

Here’s an early look at some of the top 3-year-olds expected to be in the line-up:

Regaleira: The filly by Suave Richard produced a great turn of foot to win the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at the end of last year, and this Sunday will see her race for the first time as a 3-year-old. With her weight being just above 450kg last year, she will likely be one of the smallest horses in the race this week, but she has shown that she packs a punch all the same. Assistant trainer Yuya Tsuchida said: “She wasn’t particularly switched on for the Ivy Stakes last year, but in the Hopeful Stakes she put in a strong performance. She didn’t start very well in that race, but her closing finish was exceptional. They’ve taken good care of her at the farm, and she’s returned to the stable in good shape.”

Shin Emperor: The French-bred Shin Emperor is a full-brother to the 2020 Grade 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass, and he has looked quite impressive in his races so far. He is coming off a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (Deep Impact Kinen) in March, his only run as a 3-year-old. Assistant trainer Yusaku Oka commented: “He got bumped at the first corner last time, and then had to race on the inside where the ground wasn’t so good. Consequently, he didn’t run on so well from the fourth corner. On his pedigree, softer ground shouldn’t be a worry, although the ground could be bad for the Satsuki Sho, which is the last week of racing at Nakayama, and I worry a little about that. After his break at the farm, he’s returned to the stable and looks a little loose, but there’s still time for him to get better before this next race.”

Jantar Mantar: The colt by Palace Malice was unbeaten in three starts as a 2-year-old, which included his win in the Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes at the end of last year. In just one run this year, he was just beaten into second by Justin Milano in the Grade 3 Kyodo News Hai (Tokinominoru Kinen) at Tokyo over 1,800 meters in February. Trainer Tomokazu Takano commented on the horse: “He showed when he raced at Tokyo last time that he wasn’t bothered by the long transportation to the track. He was well behaved and calm before the race and at the gate, but he showed a lot of power in the race itself. After that he went to the Yamamoto Training Center for a break, and has come back in good condition. He now seems easier to ride.”

Justin Milano: In what was just his second career start last time, Justin Milano won the Grade 3 Kyodo News Hai (Tokinominoru Kinen) at Tokyo in February, and the chances are there’s some more to come from him, so he seems a worthy contender for this next race. The colt by Kizuna is trained by Yasuo Tomomichi, and the trainer recently gave his opinion of things: “He’s had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki, with this race in mind for him next. He was a little tense for the trip over to Tokyo last time, but hopefully this time he’ll be more settled for the travel to Nakayama. It’s a small oval track, and with it being the last day of the meeting, the ground could be rough. He’s a horse with a big stride, and the going on the day could be the key to things.”

Cosmo Kuranda: Causing an upset last time when winning the Grade 2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (Deep Impact Kinen) at odds of 38/1, the colt by Al Ain - winner of the race in 2017 - most probably has more to offer, and won’t be sent off at such long odds this time. Trained by Shizuya Kato, recent comments on the horse from assistant training staff were: “He’s been at the stable since his last race, and we’ve been able to take things easy with him. There’s no pressure for fast times in training, but just to get his workload right is fine. He looks well in his coat and he seems in good condition.” Giving another boost to Cosmo Kuranda’s chances is the booking of Joao Moreira for the ride on the Big Red Farm owned and bred colt.

Danon Decile: Jockey Norihiro Yokoyama has struck up a great partnership with Danon Decile, and he rode him to win last time in the Grade 3 Keisei Hai over 2,000 meters at Nakayama in January. It will be the fifth start for the colt by Epiphaneia, who is trained at the Ritto Training Center by Shogo Yasuda. The trainer commented: “With every race he has, he understands more and his attitude improves every time. He was still a bit loose in his run in the Keisei Hai, but he can get better still, I think. His prize money is enough now, so we’ve been able to go straight to this race, and the long-term view would be the Derby.”

Mr G T: Trainer Yoshito Yahagi has three horses among the nominations, and while Shin Emperor might be considered his best chance of winning, Mr G T shouldn’t be far away, after managing a fifth-place finish in last year’s Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, and most recently was seen winning the Listed Wakaba Stakes over 2,000 meters at Hanshin in March. Assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said: “His win last time in the Wakaba Stakes was achieved in a different way, and he was by no means flat out at the end of the race. He wasn’t quite so tense before the race, so hopefully that will be the case this time too, with the transportation to Nakayama to consider.”

Byzantine Dream: Another colt by Epiphaneia, Byzantine Dream is unbeaten in two starts so far, one as a 2-year-old, and the other just recently, when he won the Grade 3 Kisaragi Sho over 1,800 meters at Kyoto in February, his first race as a 3-year-old. Comments from assistant training staff were: “He had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki after the Kisaragi Sho, and since returning, we’ve been using a crossover noseband in training, and it seems to help him relax more. He posted a recent 54.8 seconds time on the uphill training track over four furlongs, and his preparation’s been going well, now that he’s calmer.” Bauyrzhan Murzabayev is set for the ride on Byzantine Dream.

Second favorite Stellenbosch used her signature late speed to claim this year’s Oka Sho in her three-year-old debut and scored her first G1 triumph. After breaking her maiden in her debut start lastJuly (Sapporo, 1,800m), she was a close second in the Saffron Sho (Nakayama, 1 Win Class, 1,600m) in October before notching her second win in the Akamatsu Sho (Tokyo, 1 Win Class, 1,600m) that November. The filly went on to land a neck-second behind winner Ascoli Piceno in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (Hanshin, G1, 1,600m) the next month. Trainer Sakae Kunieda took home his 22nd JRA-G1 title, his first since the 2021 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies with Circle of Life, and his third Oka Sho victory—his first with Apapane in 2010 and then with Almond Eye in 2018. For jockey Joao Moreira, who is riding in Japan under a short-term license since April 6, this is his second G1 victory since the 2018 Queen Elizabeth II Cup with Lys Gracieux.

A touch late out of stall 12, Stellenbosch was sent to settle a half-length behind rival Ascoli Piceno in mid-pack while the field was led by Shonan Manuela. Making a wide move into the lane, the daughter of Epiphaneia slipped in front of Ascoli Piceno and with a good turn of foot, stormed down the straight pinning the brief leader Etes Vous Prets running on the rails in the last 100 meters while holding off the tenacious race favorite and hard-closing Light Back that followed.

“She didn’t jump very well but she did nothing wrong during the race—she was very impressive. When we were approaching the home turn, we were trapped but as we passed by the 500-meter marker, we were able to split horses. She went up front a little bit too early and I was worried she couldn’t sustain her speed all the way to the end but as all good horses, she has proved to be capable and has given me my second G1 win in Japan which will be in my heart forever,” commented Joao Moreira in the interview after the race.

2023 Best Two-Year-Old Filly and race favorite Ascoli Piceno took a wide trip throughout in mid-pack, entered the stretch a beat behind the eventual winner and strived to keep up but finished second 3/4 length behind while fending off the late charge by Light Back.

Sent off seventh pick, Light Back was eased back to settle second from the rear and after circling wide into the stretch, launched the fastest late drive but had too much ground to cover, finishing a neck behind the runner-up in third.

Other Horses:
4th: (7) Sweep Feet—trailed in rear, angled out around 200m pole, showed belated charge
5th: (15) Etes Vous Prets—chased leader in 2nd, took command 300m out, weakened in last 100m
6th: (1) Wide Latour—traveled around 13th, circled wide, showed effort
7th: (10) Sekitoba East—prominent around 3rd, showed tenacity until 200m out
8th: (2) Queen’s Walk—hugged rails around 8th, rallied for lead until 100m out
9th: (13) Teumessa—raced around 13th, angled out at early stretch, lacked needed kick
10th: (6) Hawaiian Tiare—ran in 16th, passed tired rivals, needed more
11th: (3) Ipheion—positioned around 8th, showed brief effort, even paced in last 200m
12th: (5) Chicago Sting—sat 3-wide around 6th, failed to respond at stretch
13th: (18) Cervinia—advanced to 6th from widest stall, met traffic before 200m pole
14th: (17) Mask All Win—raced wide in 15th, unable to reach contention
15th: (16) Cecilie Plage—traveled 3-wide around 11th, never fired at stretch
16th: (8) Corazon Beat—keen to go, tracked leaders around 3rd, remained in contention until 200m pole
17th: (14) Shonan Manuela—set pace, dropped back after surrendering lead
18th: (4) Catfight—chased leaders around 3rd, found little room at early stretch, faded after 300m out