G3 Niigata Nisai S.

Successful when unveiled at Chukyo in a newcomers' heat in June, Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) made it two on the bounce with a first black-type and group score in the G3 Niigata Nisai S. on Sunday. Sent off as the 7-2 third choice, the Oiwake Farm-bred took advantage of his rail draw and saved every inch of ground against the fence in midpack through the early going as Otaru Ever (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) showed the way. After a half in :48.50, he was sitting sixth as that rival continued...

Second choice on the board at 3-1, Shock Action earned his first black-type badge in the G3 Niigata Nisai S. at Niigata on Sunday. Positioned in the center of the track in fifth for the backstretch run, he began to inch into contention on the bend despite still racing wide. In a contested third 600 metres out, he motored up toward the leaders inside the final quarter mile, seized command a furlong from home and won going away by 1 3/4 lengths. Blue Symphony closed to take second, a half-length better...