By Alan Carasso
Mick Fire (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) came with an irresistible run down the center of the course and drew clear in the final 70 metres to defend his home turf and remain perfect in six starts in Wednesday's Japan Dirt Derby at Oi Racecourse. In defeating 42-1 outsider Kirinji (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) by a decisive 2 1/2 lengths, the bay colt was becoming just the third horse in the last 13 runnings based on the National Association for Racing (NAR) circuit to prevail over the typically more-fancied runners that ship in from the Japan Racing Association (JRA).
Favoured at even money despite the decidedly stiffer competition, Mick Fire settled just ahead of midfield as third betting choice Mitono O (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}) was committed to an all-the-way attempt by Yutaka Take. Racing just behind second pick Yuttitham (Jpn) (Justify) down the back, Mick Fire was eased out for clear sailing, but Mitono O had opened up by then and carried a good lead into the straight. But Mick Fire was finding his best stride while on his incorrect lead, went to Mitono O inside the final 100 metres and pulled readily clear beneath a jubilant Norifumi Mikamoto. Kirinji, a latest second to Mitono O in listed company at Sonoda in May, spiced up the exotics with a flying finish.
Mick Fire was completing the unofficial dirt Triple Crown, having won the Haneda Hai and Tokyo Derby at Oi in his two previous starts this term. In 2024, the three races will be officially recognized as a Triple Crown, with the Derby to be pushed back to October.
The winner's sire, blowout winner of the 2006 GI Toyota Blue Grass S. for Bob Baffert, is now the sire of 14 stakes winners in Japan, most notably T O Keynes (Jpn), the champion dirt horse in Japan in 2021 when victorious in the G1 Champions Cup. T O Keynes was a good fourth to Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in this year's G1 Dubai World Cup.
Mick Fire's second dam, a daughter of G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner and 1983 US Horse of the Year All Along, was purchased by JS Company for $350,000 in foal to El Prado (Ire) at the 2003 Keeneland November Sale. Barren for 2004, she produced Mariage to the cover of Brian's Time for her first foal in 2005. The dam of six winners from eight to race, Mariage is responsible for a yearling filly by G1 Tokyo Daishoten hero Smart Falcon (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}).
Scenes, as local heroes MICK FIRE and jockey Norifumi Mikamoto return after winning the Japan Dirt Derby, amazing https://t.co/POH4rdjRgx
— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) July 12, 2023
Wednesday's Results:
JAPAN DIRT DERBY (Jpn-G1)-Listed, ¥102,000,000, Oi, 7-12, 3yo, 2000m, 2:04.60, gd.
1–MICK FIRE (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Sinister Minister
1st Dam: Mariage (Jpn), by Brian's Time
2nd Dam: Armee Rouge, by Miswaki
3rd Dam: All Along (Fr), by Targowice
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (¥5,500,000 Ylg '21 HOKSUM). O-Koichi Hoshika Holdings; B-Takahashi Farm; T-Kazuo Watanabe; J-Norifumi Mikamoto; ¥60,000,000. Lifetime Record: 6-6-0-0, ¥152,500,000.
2–Kirinji (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Kizuna(Jpn)–Timepiece (Jpn), by Rulership (Jpn). O- Koji Oka; B-Sunday Hills; T-Shozo Sasaki; J-Yusuke Fujoika; ¥21,000,000.
3–Mitono O (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Logotype (Jpn)–Seductively, by Thunder Gulch. (¥18,700,000 Ylg '21 HOKSEL). O-Royal Park; B-Hiroshi Chikushi; T-Koji Maki; J-Yutaka Take; ¥12,000,000.
Margins: 2HF, NK, 3HF. Odds: 1.00, 42.90, 2.70.
Click for the goracing.jp chart.
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