Let go at odds of 28-1 while looking to collect his first victory at the highest level, Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) came from just off the pace to take Sunday's G1 Sprinter Stakes at Nakayama. Cruising in a ground-saving spot just behind a free-running Puro Magic (Jpn) (Asia Express {Jpn}) with Win Greatest (Jpn) (Secret Hero {Jpn}) within striking distance, Lugal overtook the latter straightening for home and closed the leader's advantage passing the 200-meter mark. Hitting the front late, the 4-year-old had enough left in reserve to hold off the fast-closing Toshin Macau (Jpn) (Big Arthur {Jpn}) by a neck with Namura Clair (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) a similar distance back in third.
Lugal, winning for jockey Atsuya Nishimura and trainer Haruki Sugiyama, ran 10th in a rain affected G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) Mar. 24. He won Kyoto's G3 Silk Road Stakes in his seasonal debut in January.
“I'm so happy, I'm so thrilled to be able to win a Group 1 race for the first time. I'm happy for Lugal as well because it's his first Group 1 win as well. I don't remember anything in the straight,” Nishimura said.
The winning time of the race was 1: 07, the fastest run edition since Lord Kanaloa in 2012 (1:06.70).
Sugiyama mentioned post-race that he is open to campaigning Lugal overseas.
Pedigree Notes:
Sunday's Sprinters victory repreesents the seventh Group 1 winner for the late Duramente, who died in 2021. The winner's dam Atab is out of unraced Moon's Whisper (Storm Cat), a daughter of French champion and Classic winner East of the Moon (Private Account), herself a half sister to Classic winner and leading sire Kingmambo. A half to Group 3 winner Moon Driver (Mr. Prospector), the stakes-producing Moon's Whisper also hails from the family of European champion 3-year-old Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), in addition to Group 1 scorers Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ire}) and Discoveries (Ire) Mastercraftsman).
Sunday, Nakayama, Japan
SPRINTERS STAKES-G1, ¥328,800,000, Nakayama, 9-29, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:07.00, fm.
1–LUGAL (JPN), 128, c, 4, by Duramente(Jpn)
1st Dam: Atab (Ire), by New Approach(Ire)
2nd Dam: Moon's Whisper, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: East of the Moon, by Private Account
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Yoshimasa Ema; B-Mishima Bokujo;
T-Haruki Sugiyama; J-Atsuya Nishimura; ¥173,360,000.
Lifetime Record: 13-4-4-1. Werk Nick Rating: B+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Toshin Macau (Jpn), 128, h, 5, by Big Arthur (Jpn)–Yukino
Mermaid (Jpn), by Special Week (Jpn). O-Sato Inc.; B-Hattori
Farm; ¥68,960,000.
3–Namura Clair (Jpn), 123, m, 5, by Mikki Isle (Jpn)–Sun Queen,
by Storm Cat. O-Mutsuhiro Namura; B-Tanikawa Farm;
¥43,480,000.
Margins: NK, NK, NK; Odds: 28.50, 9.60, 8.20.
Also Ran: Mama Cocha (Jpn), Win Marvel (Jpn), Victor The Winner (Aus), Satono Reve (Jpn), Puro Maic (Jpn), A Shin Spotter (Jpn), Mozu Meimei (Jpn), Obamburumai (Jpn), Mad Cool (Ire), Mugen (Aus), Win Greatest (Jpn), Danon Scorpion (Jpn), Vento Voce (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart & video. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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