By Alan Carasso
Making his first start since a seventh to Maximum Security (New Year's Day) in the $20-million Saudi Cup Feb. 29, reigning champion Japanese dirt horse Chrysoberyl (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}) got the jump on defending race winner and even-money favourite Omega Perfume (Jpn) (Swept Overboard) to take out a Group 1-quality renewal of the Teio Sho (2000m) Wednesday evening at Ohi Racecourse.
Tracking the pacesetting Wide Pharaoh (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) from a three-wide perch in third, Chrysoberyl–last year's G1 Champions Cup hero–was asked for a bit of run entering the second turn to hold his spot inside of Omega Perfume, who made a bold five-deep move in an attempt to improve his position. Chrysoberyl was popped the question in upper stretch by Yuga Kawada, pinched a break into the final furlong and held firm as Omega Perfume gave game chase. Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), last year's runner-up, closed late for third.
With the victory, the progeny of Chrysoprase have now earned close to US$13 million. Chrysoberyl's older full-brother Chrysolite (Jpn) was a five-time stakes winner on the NAR circuit, including the 2013 Japan Dirt Derby, before romping home to win the inaugural Keeneland Korea Cup in 2016. He now stands stud in that country. Chyrsoprase is also responsible for G1 Takarazuka Kinen winner and champion Marialite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and the 3-year-old colt Verdite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a debut winner over 2000m on turf last December. Chrysoprase's most recent foal is a yearling colt by Horse of the Year Kitasan Black (Jpn).
TEIO SHO-Listed, ¥102,000,000 (£767,431/€846,599/US$954,292), Oi, 6-24, 4yo/up, 2000m, 2:05.30, my.
1–CHRYSOBERYL(JPN), 126, c, 4, Gold Allure (Jpn)–Chrysoprase (Jpn), by El Condor Pasa. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; T-Hidetaka Otonashi; J-Yuga Kawada; ¥60,000,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. Dirt Horse & G1SW-Jpn, 8-7-0-0, $3,112,281. *Full to Chrysolite (Jpn), MSW & MGSP-Jpn, $4,085,284; half to Marialite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Ch. Older Mare & MG1SW-Jpn, $3,717,679; and Lia Fail (Jpn) (Zenno Rob Roy {Jpn}), GSW & G1SP-Jpn, $1,249,781.
2–Omega Perfume (Jpn), 126, h, 5, Swept Overboard–Omega Fragrance (Jpn), by Gold Allure (Jpn). (¥16,200,000 2yo '17 CHI2YO). O-Reiko Hara; B-Shadai Farm; ¥21,000,000.
3–Chuwa Wizard (Jpn), 126, h, 5, King Kamehameha (Jpn)–Chuwa Blossom (Jpn), by Durandal (Jpn). O-Shinobu Nakanishi; B-Northern Farm; ¥12,000,000.
Margins: 2, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 2.10, 1.00, 4.20.
WATCH: Chrysoberyl (8) returns from Saudi Arabia to win the Teio Sho
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