By Alan Carasso
Just days after his first-crop son Equinox (Jpn) was named the world's highest-rated racehorse for his stunning victory in last month's G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, successful young stallion Kitasan Black (Jpn) was represented by his first Japanese Classic winner when Sol Oriens (Jpn) came from a near-impossible position 400 metres from home to take Sunday's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) by a widening 1 1/4 lengths. Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) led into the final furlong, but was swamped late on, while favoured Phantom Thief (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) won a photo for third.
Void of speed from the inside gate, the 21-5 second-elect drifted right back through the field and was guided a few paths off the rail to race fourth-last and three wide into the first bend as Granite (Jpn) (Danon Ballade {Jpn}) set what appeared to be solid fractions in the wet ground. Patiently handled down the back and up the rise approaching the 800-metre peg, Sol Oriens was shuffled back and raced last but one and a good 12 lengths off the lead on the second turn.
Moving nearly laterally when awkwardly switching his legs nearing the straight, Sol Oriens was steered out 10 or 11 wide and whooshed home down the soundest part of the racing surface to win in highly impressive fashion, while again swapping his leads in the final stages. His final three furlongs were covered in :35.5, remarkable given the underfoot conditions, and 0.9 seconds faster than any of his rivals. Tastiera also rallied well off the inside, while Phantom Thief was mostly one-paced in third.
Sol Oriens becomes the first horse in 80 years to win the Guineas with as few as two previous starts.
“He's still very green, especially at the turns, with only a short career coming into this race, but as he's already shown in his
previous start, I know first hand the power and speed which this colt possesses,” said winning jockey Takeshi Yokoyama, who piloted Efforia (Jpn) ( Epiphaneia {Jpn}) to win this race in 2021. “So, while we had a lot of ground to cover from way behind, I knew that if I could keep him in good rhythm up to the straight, he would be able to show his full potential to win this race.”
The Classic series continues with the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (2400 metres) at the headquarters of Japanese racing May 28.
Pedigree Notes:
While there were no members of the final crop of Deep Impact (Jpn) in the Satsuki Sho, there is something of a connection to the legendary sire, as Kitasan Black is a son of Deep Impact's year-younger full-brother Black Tide (Jpn).
A popular and accomplished galloper in his own right, Kitasan Black won 12 of his 20 career appearances, including the 2015 G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger), back-to-back renewals of the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring), a G1 Japan Cup and a career-closing victory in the G1 Arima Kinen. Now the sire of two elite-level scorers, the 11-year-old Shadai resident is also responsible for Group 2 winner Gaia Force (Jpn) from his first crop and for the Group 3-winning 3-year-old filly Ravel (Jpn).
Sol Oriens's dam was the upset winner of the 2011 G3 Prix Fille de l'Air for Carlos Laffon-Parias and was purchased by bloodstock agent Patrick Barbe for €320,000 in foal to Leroidesanimaux (Brz) from the Haras du Quesnay draft at the 2014 Arqana December Sale. Her second foal became the newly retired Vin de Garde (Jpn), a Group 2 winner at home and second and third, respectively, in the G1 Dubai Turf in 2021 and 2022. Skia's half-brother Tropaios (GB) (Excellent Art {GB}) was a listed winner in France for Laffon-Parias and went on to become a standout for the China Horse Club and trainer Michael Freedman in Singapore, where he was victorious in the Singapore Gold Cup. Motivator is also the broodmare sire of treble Japanese Group 1 winner and champion older horse Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}).
Skia is the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Deep Impact's son Kizuna (Jpn) and is due to Epiphaneia (Jpn) for her 2023 produce.
Sunday, Nakayama, Japan
SATSUKI SHO (JAPANESE 2000 GUINEAS)-G1, ¥ 416,260,000, Nakayama, 4-16, 3yo, c/f, 2000mT, 2:00.60, yl.
1—SOL ORIENS (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Kitasan Black (Jpn)
1st Dam: Skia (Fr) (GSW-Fr, $163,904), by Motivator (GB)
2nd Dam: Light Quest, by Quest For Fame (GB)
3rd Dam: Gleam of Light (Ire), by Danehill
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Shadai Race Horse; B- Shadai Farm; T-Takahisa Tezuka; J-Takeshi Yokoyama; ¥225,382,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, ¥272,697,000. *1/2 to Vin de Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, MG1SP-UAE, $2,792,422. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com pedigree.
2–Tastiera (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Satono Crown (Jpn)–Partitura (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; ¥87,252,000.
3–Phantom Thief (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Harbinger (GB)–Lupin, by Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O-Turf Sport Inc; B-Tanikawa Farm; ¥53,626,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 3/4, HD. Odds: 4.20, 8.00, 2.80.
Also Ran: Metal Speed (Jpn), Shonan Bashitto (Jpn), Shazzan (Jpn), Top Knife (Jpn), Win Odin (Jpn), Hrimfaxi (Jpn), Bellagio Opera (Jpn), Gruner Green (Jpn), Granite (Jpn), Touch Wood (Jpn), Meiner Laulea (Jpn), One Direct (Jpn), Ras Hammel (Jpn), Ho O Biscuits (Jpn), Danon Touchdown (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart.
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