Nakayama Racecourse

Justin Milano (Jpn) lowered the track record as he came out on top in a stirring finish to Sunday's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) at Nakayama Racecourse, adding the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown to a record which now sees him unbeaten in three starts. Keita Tosaki settled Justin Milano in fifth place in the early stages as Meisho Tabaru (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) took the field along at a fierce gallop, racing a few lengths clear of the chasing pack. Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice), who...

Just days after his first-crop son Equinox (Jpn) was named the world's highest-rated racehorse for his stunning victory in last month's G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, successful young stallion Kitasan Black (Jpn) was represented by his first Japanese Classic winner when Sol Oriens (Jpn) came from a near-impossible position 400 metres from home to take Sunday's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) by a widening 1 1/4 lengths. Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) led into the final furlong, but was swamped late on, while favoured Phantom Thief (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB})...

Kita Wing (Jpn) (Danon Ballade {Jpn}) found the class relief to her liking and successfully atoned for a 14th-place finish in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies a month ago with a head victory in thrilling fashion in the G3 Fairy S. at Nakayama Monday. The 3-year-old filly previously captured a juvenile maiden event at Niigata last August before her successful stakes debut a week later. It wasn't the smoothest of breaks for the filly--who last year captured the G3 Niigata Nisai S.--this time around, but it didn't matter as she...

First-crop leading earner Bolt d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) continues to stride forward. Atop TDN's board, the sire had a half-dozen chances on Friday to extend his lead over chasers Good Magic (Curlin) and Justify (Scat Daddy). Named for a Spanish golfing legend, 2-year-old colt Olazabal ratcheted up the pressure with a tee-to-green victory in the fifth race at Turfway Park. Looking to move up in the standings, Justify found the rough when his filly Prove My Love did not make the cut in the race prior as an also-eligible. Across the...

Killer Ability (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) showed plenty of talent to take the G1 Hopeful S. at Nakayama on Tuesday. The 2000-metre affair featured 15 colts in the final Japan Racing Association Group 1 of 2021. It was an exacta for the deceased Shadai kingpin Deep Impact, as Justin Palace (Jpn) was 1 1/2 lengths behind. Second choice at 2-1, the blinkered colt rated in an ideal position perched in third while saving ground against the rails as Grand Line (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) carved out even splits of :23.90, :48.10...

Fan favorite Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}), who will attempt to add a victory in Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama after a win in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen earlier this season, aims to follow in the illustrious hoofprints of Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who completed the double in 2019. The 2019 G1 Shuka Sho winner, Chrono Genesis kicked off 2020 with a score in the G2 Kyoto Kinen in February before finishing second to Lucky Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the 2,000-meter G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin...

2019 Japanese Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) earned a Classic laurel while maintaining his unbeaten record in the 2020 G1 Satsuki Sho over 2000 metres at Nakayama on Sunday. He is the third Japanese 2000 Guineas winner for his late sire. Despite being drawn in the dreaded one hole, the 8-5 crowd's pick overcame that hurdle to win by a half-length over the previously undefeated third choice Salios (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). It was 3 1/2 lengths back to Galore Creek (Jpn) (Kinshasa no Kiseki {Aus}) in...