Japan Horse Racing Tips-Umanity.jp

The Sprinters Stakes, initially established in 1967 as a major 1,200-meter sprint race for three-year-old and up, was designated as a G3 event in conjunction with the new grading system implemented in 1984. The race was then upgraded to G2 in 1987 before becoming a G1 sprint race in 1990 and assumed Part I status to become an international G1 event in 2006. (Japan was promoted to Part I country of the International Cataloging Standards in 2007.) Since 1990, the race was held in the year-end Nakayama meeting before shifting to the current date of fixture in 2000—the final weekend of the early fall meeting. The Sprinters Stakes now positions itself as the highest mark for sprinters together with the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1, 1,200m) held in spring.

Since the race opened its door to foreign-trained entries in 1994, 30 runners that exceed the number that have run in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen have challenged the title among which three, Silent Witness (AUS) from Hong Kong, Takeover Target (AUS) from Australia and Ultra Fantasy (AUS) from Hong Kong have succeeded in taking home the title in 2005, 2006 and 2010, respectively.

Japan has not been able to produce a true world class sprinter since Lord Kanaloa (JPN), who not only won back-to-back titles in this race in 2012 and 2013 but also the internationally recognized Hong Kong Sprint that earned him a rating of 128—the closest after that would be Gran Alegria (JPN) with 118 who stepped down from mile races to win the 2020 Sprinters Stakes. So again, this year’s title is wide open to any of the runners in the line-up including the two Hong-Kong based sprinters.



Toshin Macau (JPN, H5, by Big Arthur, out of Yukino Mermaid): 114S, 7 wins / 19 starts
Focusing on short-distances since the summer of his three-year-old season, Toshin Macau is a winner of four grade-race titles and has been consistent in finishing within fourth place in other starts at 1,200 meters except for the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in 2023 (15th) and 2024 (sixth) where he failed to make use of his speed over soft/yielding track conditions. He comes off a victory in the Centaur Stakes (G2, 1,200m) on September 8, where he wore down 2023 Sprinters Stakes winner Mama Cocha, who had taken an early lead at the homestretch, with a tremendous late charge to win by half a length—the victory earned him a rating of 114. This will be his first Sprinters Stakes challenge but the son of Big Arthur has marked a victory over the same course and distance when claiming the Ocean Stakes (G3, 1,200m) in March this year and is hopeful of capturing his first G1 title in the coming race.

Mama Cocha (JPN, M5, by Kurofune, out of Buchiko): 112S, 6 wins / 16 starts
A full sister to white G1 winner Sodashi, Mama Cocha herself is a bay who, following a win in the Azuchijo Stakes (Listed, 1,400m), showed her potential as a sprinter when stepping down to 1,200 meters for the first time in the Kitakyushu Kinen (G3) and finished second. She immediately landed her first G1 title in as many attempts in her next start, the Sprinters Stakes, where she was forwardly positioned, assumed an early lead soon after the final turn, and successfully held off the challenge from Mad Cool by a nose. While beaten in two starts thereafter, the Kurofune mare just missed by half a length while carrying an added penalty of 2kg in her latest start, the Centaur Stakes, for which she was given a rating of 112 and appears well prepared towards defending her title in the coming G1 race.

Mad Cool (IRE, H5, by Dark Angel, out of Mad About You): 116S, 6 wins / 13 starts
A consistent sprinter, finishing within the money in all of his past sprint starts in Japan excluding a ninth in the 2023 CBC Sho (G3, 1,200m) when he showed symptoms of having suffered a mild heat stroke, the son of Dark Angel closed in impressively and just missed by a nose to Mama Cocha in the 2023 Sprinters Stakes and avenged his defeat this year in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in which he led in early stretch and prevailed by a head after being challenged by Namura Clair for his first G1 victory. Although unsuccessful in his two overseas stints, the 2023 Hong Kong Sprint (G1, 1,200m) and the 2024 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (G1, 1,200m) where he was beaten to eighth and 11th, respectively, he is the top-rated sprinter in Japan together with Obamburumai (JPN, C4, by Discreet Cat), given a rating of 116 for his victory in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen.

Namura Clair (JPN, M5, by Mikki Isle, out of Sun Queen): 111S, 5 wins / 18 starts
Winner of four grade-race titles in the 2021 Kokura Nisai Stakes (G3, 1,200m), the 2022 Hakodate Sprint Stakes (G3, 1,200m), the 2023 Silk Road Stakes (G3, 1,200m) and the 2023 Keeneland Cup (G3, 1,200m), the Mikki Isle mare has yet to claim a G1 title while proving competitive at the highest level in her third-place performance in the 2022 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, G1, 1,600m) and runner-up efforts in two consecutive Takamatsunomiya Kinen starts in 2023 and this year. Nevertheless, her reliability in exerting a good turn of speed at the stretch could carry her to victory any day, depending on the race development, and a first G1 win in the coming race would be no surprise. She is rated 111 for her runner-up effort in this year’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen.

Satono Reve (JPN, H5, by Lord Kanaloa, out of Ciliege): 113S, 7 wins / 9 starts
The son of legendary sprinter, Lord Kanaloa, Satono Reve is also brother to Hakusan Moon (JPN, by Admire Moon), who became one of very few horses that defeated Lord Kanaloa when taking the 2013 Centaur Stakes. Blessed with qualities from both his sire and dam, Satono Reve’s talent as a sprinter has flourished this year with three consecutive wins in the Shunrai Stakes (Listed, 1,200m), the Hakodate Sprint Stakes and the Keeneland Cup, and the way he won the latter two—biding his time in the front seat early and striding away at the stretch to a comfortable victory—has the quality to threaten the best sprinters in his G1 debut. He is rated 113 as of his victory in the Keenland Cup.

Win Marvel (JPN, H5, by I’ll Have Another, out of Cosmo Marvelous): 114M, 7 wins / 23 starts
Win Marvel rose to stardom as one of the top sprinters of his generation with three wins including the Aoi Stakes (G3, 1,200m, limited to three-year-olds) and finished second when faced against older horses for the first time in the 2022 Keenland Cup. He validated the effort with another second in his following start and G1 debut, the Sprinters Stakes, and scored his second grade-race victory as a four-year-old where he won a hard-fought rally in the 2023 Hanshin Cup (G2, 1,400m). Into his five-year-old season this year, he has continued to remain prominent with two more graded victories in the Hankyu Hai (G3) and the Keio Hai Spring Cup (G2), both at 1,400 meters, and is rated 114 for his win in the latter.

The much-anticipated return of JRA Grade 1 action takes place this coming Sunday (September 29), when the 58th running of the Sprinters Stakes will be held at Nakayama Racecourse in Chiba Prefecture, just a short distance outside of Tokyo. The race is one of just two top-level sprints on the JRA calendar, and is run over 1,200 meters on the outer turf track at Nakayama, which has a gentle first curve out of the backstretch, before the much sharper one turning for home.

First run back in 1967, it acquired Grade 2 status 20 years later in 1987, and in 1990 it became a Grade 1 race. By 1994, runners from overseas were permitted to take part. It’s a race for 3-year-olds and up, where the former carry 56kg, and 4-year-olds and above carry 58kg, with a 2kg allowance for fillies and mares.

There are 18 nominations for this Sunday’s big race, with a field size of 16 being the maximum number. Two runners from Hong Kong, namely Victor The Winner and Mugen, will take two of the berths available, and will bid to give Hong Kong its third win in the race, after wins by Silent Witness in 2005, and Ultra Fantasy in 2010. Victor The Winner’s big run earlier this year in the Grade 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen gives a real sense of this becoming a reality.

Some races in Japan leading up to the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes have included the Grade 3 TV Nishinippon Corp. Sho Kitakyushu Kinen, run over 1,200 meters at Kokura back in June, and the Grade 3 Keeneland Cup, run over 1,200 meters at Sapporo in August. The Grade 2 Sankei Sho Centaur Stakes, run just recently over 1,200 meters at Chukyo, is often considered to be the best trial race.

First favorites have won the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes four times in the last 10 years, with Gran Alegria being the last market leader to win in 2020, and the race does occasionally throw up a winner at a big price. Among the different age groups, 4-year-olds and 6-year-olds have come out on top in the past decade, with three wins apiece. The last 3-year-old winner of the race was Pixie Knight in 2021. Record time for the race was set by Lord Kanaloa in 2012, when he won in a time of 1 minute, 6.7 seconds. The winner’s check this year is JPY170 million (in the region of USD1.2 million).

The Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes will be Race 11 on the Sunday card at Nakayama, with a post time locally of 15:40. Final declarations and the barrier draw will be available later in the week.
Here’s a look at some of the Japanese runners expected to play a major part in the race:

Satono Reve: Everything points to a big run for the 5-year-old by Lord Kanaloa, and his six wins from seven races over 1,200 meters (two of them at Nakayama) add a lot more to his profile. Trainer Noriyuki Hori recently commented: “He’s remained in good shape, despite the hot weather, and his appetite and overall condition are good. In recent work, his breathing was good, and he put in a fast run. After that training, he weighed 551kg. His hooves are something to be careful about, so we make sure to pay attention to that, as well as his balance when running. All being well, jockey Damian Lane will get a short-term license and will take the ride.” The Australian rider partnered Satono Reve when winning the Grade 3 Keeneland Cup at Sapporo in August, so things look good once again for a shot at a win at the highest level here.

Mama Cocha: Winner of the race last year, the 5-year-old mare by Kurofune will try to join an elite group of five horses to date who have won the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes in consecutive years. The last one to do so was Red Falx in 2016 and 2017. Mama Cocha finished a close second in her last race, the Grade 2 Sankei Sho Centaur Stakes at Chukyo earlier this month, which was her first run since the spring. Assistant trainer Yuki Iwasaki said: “It was decided to get her well forward in the race last time, with the wide draw she had. She ran well, despite carrying 57kg, getting a good position and then keeping things up right to the finish. She came out of the race well and things have been as expected with her.” If successful here, Mama Cocha will give trainer Yasutoshi Ikee a hat-trick of wins in the race, after Gendarme’s win in 2022.

Mad Cool: The Irish-bred Mad Cool has had a nice long break since running in Hong Kong back in April, where he disappointed as one of the fancied runners that day. Two starts ago though, he won the Grade 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo, and now he tries to become just the sixth horse in history to win that race and the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes in the same year. Trainer Manabu Ikezoe gave his thoughts on the horse: “He returned to the stable at the end of August, so we’ve had plenty of time to get him ready. He’s been training well, and we’ll have the race jockey ride him a while before the race. As he’s a big horse, his footwork isn’t always the best. The race has plenty of good horses in it this year, but hopefully he’ll run as well as he did last year.”

Namura Clair: The 5-year-old mare is still looking for an elusive Grade 1 win, and will be hoping to find just a bit more on her runs in the last two Sprinters Stakes, when she finished fifth and third. In her first race since the spring last time, she finished fifth, just 0.4 seconds off the winner of the Grade 3 Keeneland Cup, Satono Reve. Recent comments from assistant training staff were: “On returning to the stable, she weighed 488kg. There hasn’t been much time since her run in the Keeneland Cup, so we haven’t pushed her too hard, but in training the other week, she posted a final furlong time of 12.1 seconds, proving that she’s in good shape. Her breathing’s fine and she knows when to switch on and off, as well as being stronger mentally now.” Regular jockey Suguru Hamanaka picked up a suspension the other week, so Takeshi Yokoyama now comes in for the ride.

Toshin Macau: Coming off a win in the recent Grade 2 Sankei Sho Centaur Stakes, where the 5-year-old overcame a wide draw, he’s looking to follow in the footsteps of Tower of London, the last horse to win both the Centaur and the Sprinters Stakes in the same year, which was 2019. Trainer Mizuki Takayanagi is pleased with the 5-year-old’s build up to the big race. “Coming off a break, and at a track where he hasn’t had good results, I was a bit worried about his last race,” the trainer said. “As things turned out, he got a good result, especially considering his wide draw. When he leads with his left leg, he runs better, so he should be more suited to racing right-handed in this next race.” Young jockey Akira Sugawara is looking for just his second JRA Grade 1 win on the son of Big Arthur.

Win Marvel: Another horse that is consistent over 1,200 and 1,400 meters, Win Marvel is also looking to capture his first Grade 1, and comes to the race fresh, having had his last run back in May, when he won the Grade 2 Keio Hai Spring Cup over 1,400 meters at Tokyo. Trainer Masashi Fukayama commented: “After his last race, we checked his condition, and decided that the best rotation for him would be to go directly to this next race. He returned to the Miho stable well over a month ago, and he’s been his usual self since. He improves for his training, and currently his reactions are good, particularly at the finish of his work.”

Mozu Meimei: The 4-year-old filly by Real Impact won the Grade 3 Ibis Summer Dash over 1,000 meters at Niigata in July, and followed that up with a third-place finish most recently in the Grade 2 Sankei Sho Centaur Stakes early this month. It is best if she’s well forward in a race, and she can be a tough character when it comes to fighting out a finish. Assistant trainer Shinichiro Kobayashi said: “She did her best last time, running on the inside, where the ground was not so good. She’s had three races this summer, and with a short time since her last run, we’re just being careful with her, and the vet also has been checking her over. So far, it looks like she can take on the strong opponents in this next race, and it’ll be interesting to see what she can do.”

Win Greatest: The now 7-year-old Win Greatest will be making just his third appearance in a Grade 1 race, but he won the Grade 2 MBS Sho Swan Stakes over 1,400 meters at Kyoto last autumn, and has finished second in his last two races, the latest being the Grade 3 Ibis Summer Dash at Niigata in July. Trainer Yoshihiro Hatakeyama commented: “After his last race, we wanted to avoid a tight schedule, so we’ve made this his next target, with plenty of time in between. His recent training has been good, and he marked a final furlong time of 11.3 seconds, when working with two other horses. Things are as usual with him, and his condition’s improving as the race approaches.”

For the second year in a row Japan continued its domination in Korea, with last year’s champs Crown Pride and Remake claiming second consecutive victories in the Korea Cup and Korea Sprint on Sunday, Sept. 8. The two headline G3 dirt races, new additions to the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, handed the two winners their tickets to the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

Not only did Japan’s entourage of five (four JRA challengers and one currently with the local NAR circuit) land two firsts, Wilson Tesoro and Jasper Krone scored seconds in the Cup and Sprint, respectively, while the Kawasaki-based Light Warrior finished fourth in the Korea Cup. (JRA’s Keiai Dorie was scratched from Korea Sprint due to injury.)

The 5-year-old Crown Pride, a former starter in the Kentucky Derby and a G2 winner in Dubai, captured the Korea Cup over 1,800 meters and secured his berth in the BC Dirt Mile. The Lani-sired Remake, the overwhelming favorite in he 1,200-meter Korea Sprint, topped the 15-strong field to springboard him to the BC Sprint.

* * *

First up on Sunday was the Korea Sprint with a 3:20 p.m. post time and a first-place prize of 700 million won. Remake made his move from well off the pace and pulled clear to finish 2 lengths ahead of runnerup Jasper Krone, a Hideyuki Mori-trained American-bred 5-year-old by Frosted. The American-based Anarchist finished third under Edwin Maldonado 8 lengths behind Crown Pride.

Remake, a seasoned sprinter owned by Koji Maeda, was returning to the track from a fourth-place finish in the G1 Golden Shaheen in Dubai at the end of March. The previous month, he had clinched the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint. His winning time at Seoul was 1 minute 10.3 seconds.

Like last year, Yuga Kawada, a current narrow second to Christophe Lemaire in Japan’s jockey rankings, had the ride. "I came here this year to win once again with Remake, so I'm relieved we were able to do just that.

“The frontrunner pulled the field at a good clip and when we went to catch him this horse really gave it his all. The plan has always been to go to the Breeders’ Cup, so it’s good to have won nicely here and safely landed our ticket. We’ll return to Japan to prepare and I think we can look forward to a good race in the Breeders’ Cup.”

The 47-year-old Ritto-based Koichi Shintani fielded both big winners of the day. Of Remake, he said, "He was a bit laidback coming off a layoff, but Kawada knows the horse's strength, and it looks like he knew just where to make his move turning into the straight.

“To have won like he did returning from Dubai shows what a mentally strong horse he is. He had gotten pretty tensed up after his last race and I was concerned, but the staff did a great job. I’m very happy, and relieved as well, to have won both races 2 years in a row.

“We have our next goal in sight and the schedule will be tight with quarantine, but I’m hoping to have him in great shape for the race.”

Jasper Krone, a two-time G3 winner in Japan, had last raced just over a month ago and was taking on his second race on dirt. Jockey Taisei Danno said, “The rotation was tight, but the staff have always had him in good shape even with a busy schedule. He did well today too but the winner was very strong.”

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Next on the card of nine was the 1,800-meter Korea Cup, carrying a first place bounty of 800 million won. Teruya Yoshida’s Crown Pride (by Reach the Crown), under Takeshi Yokoyama, broke from the No. 11 gate, dashed unhesitatingly to the rail, held the lead, and topped the field of 10 by 5 lengths. His winning time was 1 minutes 51.8 seconds.

Eventual runnerup Wilson Tesoro (a Kitasan Black 5-year-old) traveled in seventh position under Kawada, moved into second place at the top of the stretch and gave chase, but was unable to close the gap and finished 5 lengths behind the winner in second place. The home team’s Global Hit finished in third another 5 lengths behind Wilson Tesoro.

"I was really happy to have been asked to ride,” said the 25-year-old Yokoyama. “He’s a strong horse, so it was good we were able to get the results we did and I’m proud to have won in Korea.

“I was very careful to let the horse run at his own pace, and being able to do that helped us get the position we did. It was a great day.”

Shintani expressed his relief, saying, “Crown Pride had been pretty worked up after his last race, but the staff did a very good job. I'm happy and relieved to have been able to win both races two years in a row.”

Hitoshi Kotegawa trains the Miho-based runnerup Wilson Tesoro, fourth in this year’s Dubai World Cup and second last out at the Ohi Racecourse Teio Sho at the end of June (both over 2,000 meters).

“Since Kawada had ridden the winner in this race last year, I left it up to him to decide on his position,” Kotegawa said. “He looked really good coming up the stretch but Crown Pride had the best ground. It’s unfortunate that we, as the strong favorite, weren’t able to meet the expectations.”

Third favorite Blow the Horn won this year’s Takarazuka Kinen to claim his first G1 victory. Initially trained by Eiji Nakano, the son of Epiphaneia debuted as a two-year-old in November, broke his maiden in his ninth career start in June (Hakodate, 2,000m) at three, and marked another win the same year in December (Nakayama, 2,500m). Last year, he captured three victories between 2,200-2,600-meter distances as a four-year-old but pulled up due to an atrial fibrillation in his last start of the season in the Kyoto Daishoten (G2, 2,400m) in October. He kicked off this season by registering his first graded title in the Nikkei Shinshun Hai (Kyoto, G2, 2,400m) in January, and after moving to the current stable with the retirement of the trainer, he finished third in the Hanshin Daishoten (G2, 3,000m) and second in his previous start, the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1, 3,200m) at Kyoto Racecourse on April 28. Trainer Tatsuya Yoshioka, who opened his yard in 2020, claimed his fifth graded win and first G1 title, while jockey Akira Sugawara, who debuted in 2019 and has partnered with this horse in recent starts, scored his tenth graded and first G1 victory.

Five-year-old Blow the Horn broke smoothly from stall 12 and settled second from last, right outside the race favorite. As the field entered the uphill climb in the backstretch, the Epiphaneia bay edged forward from the outside, turned the final corners the widest and passed his rivals one by one in the lane before taking the front 100 meters out and pulling away with a powerful late kick that marked the tied fastest three furlongs for a comfortable two-length victory.

“We were able to win the race because the horse ran really hard despite the heavy going. Although we were positioned further back than planned and took the widest route, the horse seemed to have plenty of strength left when we turned the fourth corner so I urged him to go at the stretch and he responded with a remarkable turn of speed,” commented jockey Akira Sugawara.

Seventh pick and last year’s Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000m) victor Sol Oriens settled wide around seventh, dropped position turning the last corners wide to enter the stretch in 12th, and though he had too much ground to catch up with the eventual winner, launched the tied fastest late drive to secure the runner-up seat just before the wire by a neck.

Fifth choice and this year’s Osaka Hai (G1, 2,000m) champion Bellagio Opera chased the pace in fourth, rallied for the lead after the third corner and briefly took command before the 200-meter pole but soon surrendered the lead and was denied by Sol Oriens for third while holding Pradaria by a neck.

Race favorite Do Deuce traveled in the very rear and took the inner course after entering the stretch to make bid but was unable to catch up with the leaders and finished sixth.

Other Horses:
4th: (7) Pradaria—tracked leader in 2nd, rallied for lead at stretch, weakened in final strides
5th: (10) Rousham Park—raced around ninth early, made headway in backstretch to rally for lead at final corner, failed to sustain bid while briefly met traffic 200m out
7th: (5) Deep Bond—sat wide around 5th, showed effort at early stretch, unable to keep up with top finishers
8th: (13) Rouge Eveil—set pace on rails, angled out to stretch, faded after 100m out
9th: (11) Yamanin Sympa—trailed in rear, advanced after 1,200m to go, lacked needed kick
10th: (2) Justin Palace—traveled around 7th, driven near favorite but failed to respond
11th: (1) Struve—took economic trip around 9th, briefly made headway, showed little at stretch
12th: (6) Heat on Beat—saved ground around 5th, advanced to 3rd at one point, faded after 3rd corner
13th: (8) Karate—stalked leader in 2nd early, gradually dropped back