Sodashi wins Oka Sho to stay unbeaten
Rising Japanese superstar Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune {Jpn}) has retained her unbeaten record in winning the 81st running of the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) at Hanshin Racecourse.
The all-white filly, who has become a phenomenon among race fans in Hapan, continued to demonstrate she has the ability to match her amazing looks in winning the Oka Sho in track record time of 1:31.1.
The Naosuke Sagai-trained Sodashi, ridden by Hayato Yoshida, edged out rival Satono Reinas (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in a thrilling finish, with Fine Rouge (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in third.
She became the first filly in 11 years to win the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies as a 2-year-old and the then win the Oka Sho as a 3-year-old.
Blackmore creates Grand National history
Jockey Rachael Blackmore created history in the Aintree Grand National Chase, becoming the first woman in the race's 173-year history to win the famous steeplechase.
Blackmore steered Minella Times (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}) to a famous victory in the 6907-metre race for trainer Henry De Broomhead, who also trained the runner-up Balko Des Flos (Fr) (Balko {Fr}), while Any Second Now (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}) finished third for trainer Ted Walsh.
The Irish-born jockey gave her mount the perfect run throughout and had 6.5l to spare on her rivals at the end of the marathon event.
"I just cannot believe it," she said while still on the back of Minella Times. "He gave me an absolutely sensational spin. I'm so lucky to be riding him and I can't believe we've just won the Grand National. I don't feel male or female right now. I don't even feel human. This is just unbelievable."
Charlotte Brew became the first woman to ride in the Grand National in 1977, while Katie Walsh had come closest on winning it when finishing third in 2012.
Super Stock upsets Arkansas Derby
Going off at 12.20-to-one in the G1 Arkansas Derby after finishing fourth in the G2 Rebel S. last out, Super Stock (USA) (Dialed In {USA}) pulled off a minor upset with a 2.5l win to earn a spot in the G1 Kentucky Derby in three weeks.
Breaking from the inside position, Super Stock stayed on the rail just a few lengths off the leading Caddo River (USA) (Hard Spun {USA}) in the 1800 metre race. As the field raced down the turn, it looked like it would be the match race between Caddo River and Concert Tour (USA) (Street Sense {USA}) that everyone expected but Super Stock came running late to fly right past the pair and win by 2.5l with Caddo River finishing a head in front of Concert Tour for third.
Super Stock is the second Grade 1 winner for sixth-crop sire Dialed In (USA) with that stallion’s first Grade 1 winner also finishing fourth in this race behind Super Stock. Super Stock is a half-brother to the SF Bloodstock-owned Boujie Girl (USA) (Flashback {USA}), who foaled a Quality Road (USA) filly on Friday night. The trio are from the family of Grade 1 winner Heir Kitty (USA) (Wildcat Heir {USA}) and Puerto Rico champion Gabbywith A G (USA) (Trippi {USA}).
Juliet Foxtrot rewards faith in Jenny Wiley
Kept in training this year with hopes she would get the Grade 1 victory she’d come so close to capturing in previous seasons, Juliet Foxtrot (GB) (Dansili {GB}) paid off Juddmonte’s faith in the G1 Jenny Wiley.
Setting the pace in the 1700 metre race, she had at least a length on the field for much of the turf race. Asked by Tyler Gaffalione to extend her lead as they entered the stretch, the 6-year-old complied to win by an easy 2l.
“She has been Grade 1-placed and placed in this race last year,” said Juddmonte Farms, Garrett O’Rourke. “It was brave on behalf of everybody at Juddmonte to make the move to keep her in training for one more year, to try to win that elusive Grade 1. This is huge for the mare.”
A homebred for her owners, Juliet Foxtrot is one of three stakes horses for King’s Best (USA) mare Kilo Alpha (GB). Juliet Foxtrot hails from the family of Westbury Stud’s Grade 1-winning stallion Redwood (GB) European champion and champion sire Dancing Brave (USA) and dual Grade 1 winner Jolypha (USA) (Lyphard {USA}).
King Fury splashes to Lexington victory
King Fury (USA) (Curlin {USA}) earned 20 points toward the G1 Kentucky Derby on Saturday when proving he loved the slop in the G3 Lexington S.
Breaking among the leaders in the 1700 metre dirt race at Keeneland, King Fury quickly backed up and was second to last in the spread-out field after 400 metres. As horses started to fade late in the backstretch run, King Fury passed them to the inside on the rail to be just behind the leader around the far turn. He went straight to the lead from there and pulled away by 2.75l.
“I got to the five-eighths pole and went ‘Man, they’re in trouble from this point', he was just doing it the right way, travelling and taking us the whole way,” said trainer Brian Hernandez Jr. “He was so powerful today that I knew I would just be able to pick my way through like we did. He was just there for me the whole way.”
While King Fury earned 20 points for the race, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to run in the first leg of the Triple Crown with the colt sitting in 27th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
The third Graded stakes winner in three weeks and second to earn Derby points for Curlin (USA), King Fury is the first foal out of Grade 1 winner Taris (USA) (Flatter {USA}). That mare is one of three stakes winners for Theatrical (Ire) daughter Comedy (USA) (Theatrical {USA}) alongside stakes winner and multiple Graded stakes-placed Theatre Star (USA) (War Front {USA}) and stakes winner Stoweshoe (USA) (Flatter {USA}).
Delaware closes for Danger’s Hour win
Delaware (GB) (Frankel {GB}) left himself plenty to do in the stretch of the Danger’s Hour S. at Aqueduct on Saturday with a last-second dash to get the win.
Racing over 1600 metres on the turf, the Frankel (GB) son was still nearly last with just over 300 metres left to run. It looked like Rinaldi (USA) (Posse {USA}) was going to have an easy victory but showing a huge turn of foot, the 5-year-old rushed up in the closing 100 metres to win by 0.75l in the end.
“I think we found his distance at a mile,” said trainer Chad Brown. “With some nice pace in front of him, it set up good. He was pretty far back, turning from home and even though he had a good pace, he had a lot to do. The last quarter was pretty impressive.”
Bred by Juddmonte Farms, Delaware is one of two stakes winners out of a half-sister G3 Kingstown Town S. winner and multiple Australian Group 1-placed Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}) a three-quarter sibling to this colt. Delaware’s dam also counts multiple Grade 1 winner Proviso (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and French champion Byword (GB) (Peintre Celebre {USA}) among her siblings.
Justify’s half-brother romps in maiden
Justify's (USA) half-brother Stage Raider (USA) (Pioneerof The Nile {USA}) made easy work of a Keeneland Maiden Special Weight on Saturday despite being green.
Making his second start, the colt broke strongly in the 1400 metre race and was joined by four others in front before yielding the lead and running in third. Racing in the slop, the colt looked like he may be done in the backstretch as he started to drop back but quickly regained his momentum around the turn. Settling into an easy rhythm, the colt had the lead with 300 metres and even with his inexperience in the stretch, the colt won by 10.75l over fellow Pioneerof The Nile (USA) colt Harvard (USA).
By the sire of Coolmore Australia’s Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (USA) and out of the dam of their other Triple Crown winner, Stage Raider (USA) is the fourth winner from five to race out of the Grade 3-placed Stage Magic (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}).
In addition to Justify, Stage Magic also produced Grade 3 winner The Lieutenant (USA) (Street Sense {USA}). It’s been a big seven days for the family with extended family member Soothsay (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) winning last weekend’s G2 Santa Anita Oaks.
