By Christina Bossinakis
Backed down to 2-1 favoritism while trying to remain undefeated, Three H Racing's Dolce More (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) did not disappoint, coming home a neck winner over Danon Touchdown (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in Sunday's G1 Asahi Hai Futurity at Hanshin.
Exiting Post 2, Dolce More broke alertly but was eased back to ground-saving third behind All Parfait (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) and Granite (Jpn) (Danon Ballade {Jpn}). Turning for home while still behind the pace, the colt shifted outward while in search of running room, took over soon after the 200-meter marker, and edged clear under left-hand urging while holding off a strong challenge from the second choice Danon Touchdown. Labeling (GB) (Frankel {GB}) rounded out the top three.
“It all went as planned with the trainer, just as I had pictured,” said winning rider Ryusei Sakai, who was registering his second JRA Group 1 score after notching his first with Stunning Rose (Jpn) in the Shuka Sho in October. “I expected the pace to be fast since there were runners coming off short-distanced races. My colt ran in a good position and responded and held on
well. I'm grateful to have been given the opportunity to ride him today.”
The bay broke his maiden at Sapporo in August before annexing his first group victory in the G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup Oct. 8. The victory marks the 15th JRA Group 1 win for trainer Naosuke Sugai.
Pedigree Notes:
The fourth Group 1 winner for the impeccably-bred Rulership, Dolce More is out of 2013 G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas (Oka Sho) heroine Ayusan, a full-sister to G1SP Mau Lea (Jpn) and a half to SW Saki To Me (Fusaichi Pegasus). Ayusan is also a granddaughter of Grade I winner Buy The Firm (Affirmed), herself responsible for Grade III scorer Storm Broker (Storm Cat).
Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
ASAHI HAI FUTURITY S.-G1, 135,740,000, Hanshin, 12-18, 2yo, colts/fillies, 1600mT, 1:33.90, fm.
1–DOLCE MORE (JPN), 121, c, 2, by Rulership (Jpn)
1st Dam: Ayusan (Jpn) (G1SW-Jpn), by Deep Impact (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Buy the Cat, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Buy the Firm, by Affirmed
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Three H Racing; B-Shimokobe Farm;
T-Naosuke Sugai; J-Ryusei Sai; ¥71,218,000. Lifetime Record:
3-3-0-0. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Danon Touchdown (Jpn), 121, c, 2, by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)–
Epic Love (Ire), by Dansili (GB). (¥240,000,000 yrl '21 JRHAJUL)
O-Danox Inc.; B-Northern Farm; ¥28,348,000.
3–Labeling (GB), 121, c, 2, by Frankel (GB)–Noyelles (Ire), by
Docksider. (€360,000 wnl '20 GOFDEC; 300,000gns yrl '21TATOCT; €520,638 HRA '22 GOFMAR). O-Big Red Farm; B-Sir Nicholas & Lady Nugent; ¥18,174,000
Margins: NK, NK, 1 1/4; Odds: 2.10, 2.60, 5.50.
Also Ran: Kyoei Brisa (Jpn), Bagradas (Jpn), All Parfair (Jpn), Obamburumai (Jpn), Tinia (Ire), Corpus Christi (Jpn), Granite (Jpn), Nishino Best One (Jpn), Dondengaeshi (Jpn), Suzuka Double (Jpn), Miscela Dorata (Jpn), Ume Musubi (Jpn), From Dusk, Emphasize (Jpn)
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Click for the JRA chart and video.
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