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Race Favorite Almond Eye Eyes Fillies' Triple with Yushun Himba Victory
Information sources:Horse Racing in Japan 
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Sent to post as an overwhelming favorite after a strong performance in the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas), Almond Eye did not disappoint as she never put a foot wrong throughout the 2,400-meter trip and became the first filly since Gentildonna (2012) and 14th overall to claim the Oka Sho-Yushun Himba double with a chance to become the fifth to claim the season’s G1 triple for three-year-old fillies. Her winning time was 2:23.8, just 0.2 seconds short of the record held by Gentildonna. Trainer Sakae Kunieda landed his 13th career JRA-G1 title—the last being the Oka Sho with the Lord Kanaloa filly—and his second Yushun Himba title after saddling subsequent triple-crown (fillies’) winner Apapane to victory in 2010. Jockey Christophe Lemaire had a lot to celebrate, winning his 16th JRA-G1 title on his 39th birthday. Lemaire also claimed his second consecutive Yushun Himba title after his victory last year with Soul Stirring.

Almond Eye was given a perfect ride by Christophe Lemaire, starting from stall 13, coincidentally the same barrier as in the Oka Sho in which they scored their first G1 victory in the race. Nicely rated from a good break among the front group around sixth, Almond Eye traveled smoothly just off the rails with Lily Noble and Lucky Lilac in close view behind Sayakachan who sprinted out for a clear lead while setting a brisk pace over the 2,400 meter course. Already positioned in a good striking distance after not having to angle out too far coming into the homestretch, the Oka Sho victor had plenty of fuel to climb the uphill stretch where she gained command and continued to increase her stride for the remaining 250 meters without a serious threat from behind to score a two-length victory.

“I had every confidence in her and race went perfectly for us. She was a little hyped up but we had a good start and in a good position. From there she settled in well and her turn of foot in the home straight was terrific. The stretch in distance (to 2,400 meters, her first) was absolutely no problem for her. She is one special filly with great potentials and fit to face international competition if she has the chance,” commented Lemaire.

Lily Noble broke sharply from stall one, eventually allowing the more eager rivals to lead the way while saving ground along the rails in third as the field stretched out to form a long line behind the pacesetter who opened the gap to almost ten lengths along the backstretch. As the field closed in on the tired leader, the Rulership filly angled out slightly after the final turn for better footing and assumed command just as the uphill stretch became too much for the early leaders but was caught by Almond Eye when the two fillies hit the top of the hill and was unable to match the increasing stride of the eventual winner while managing to hold off the rest of the field by more than a length.
Lucky Lilac jumped out of the gate and in hand along the rails close behind Lily Noble, positioned less than a length in front of the eventual winner. The Orfevre filly was given the go as Almond Eye passed her on the outside then steered to the inside of Lily Noble for the rally but was a fraction slow to pick up speed to match the front two for third.


Other Horses:
4th: (10) Red Sakuya―took economic trip in 7th, angled out, tied 2nd fastest over last 3 furlongs
5th: (3) Mau Lea―settled in 8th, found little room at early stretch, showed effort thereafter
6th: (8) Satono Walkure―ran wide around 9th, turned final corner behind winner, passed tired rivals
7th: (11) Pioneer Bio―raced around 11th, checked 300m out, failed to respond
8th: (15) Usubenino Kimi―traveled wide around 12th, lacked needed kick to reach contention
9th: (6) All for Love―saved ground around 10th, showed little at stretch
10th: (17) Rosa Glauca―unhurried in 14th, accelerated in last 200m
11th: (14) Randonnee―positioned in 2nd, distant behind pace setter, overtaken by rivals at stretch
12th: (9) Sister Flag―hugged rails in 12th, never a threat
13th: (5) Cantabile―raced in 4th in front of winner, dropped back after 400m marker
14th: (7) Toho Artemis―ran 3rd from rear, even paced at stretch
15th: (16) Win Lanakila―sat 2nd from rear, unable to reach contention
16th: (12) Sayakachan―set fast pace, faded after 300m out
17th: (18) Ohana―trailed in far rear, no factor
scratched: (4) Tosen Bless―due to a stone bruise to her left forefoot

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