Know Your Horse

[Horny Harry]

JUNGLE POCKET
(3-year-old colt, bay)
Sire / Dam (Sire of Dam): Tony Bin / Dance Charmer (Nureyev)
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo111.jpg
In a year with many outstanding three-year-olds bidding to claim the JRA title, Jungle Pocket silenced all with a decisive victory in the Japan Cup this year, defeating defending champion and last year's Horse of the Year, T.M. Opera O, after topping a strong field of three-year-olds of this season in the Japanese Derby in May. As well as exhibiting an impressive charge and tenacity in his races, he has concluded a tough season in sound condition, which proved to be an important factor in his deserving the JRA award, while his other key rivals such as Agnes Tachyon (winner of Japanese 2000 Guineas) and Kurofune (winner of Japan Cup Dirt-G1) have been forced to retire with critical leg problems. Still showing room for further improvements for the coming season, the Tony Bin colt is said to be pointed towards competition overseas after his spring campaign in Japan.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo112.jpg
Earnings in 2001: 547,676,000 YEN
Career Earnings: 599,326,000 YEN
Principal Wins in 2001: Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby- G1), Japan Cup (G1), Kyodo News Service Hai (G3)
[ September 19, 2002, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: Horny Harry ]

[Horny Harry]

STAY GOLD
(7-year-old horse, dark bay or brown
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo101.jpg
Sire / Dam (Sire of Dam): Sunday Silence / Golden Sash ( Dictus)
Owner: Shadai Race Horse Ltd.
Breeder: Shiraoi Farm
Trainer: Yasuo Ikee
Wins / Starts of 2001: 3 / 7 (including 2 / 2 overseas)
Career Wins / Starts: 7/ 50
Earnings in 2001: 380,957,100 YEN
Career Earnings: 1,026,418,100 YEN
Principal Wins in 2001: Dubai Sheema Classic (Dubai, G2), Hong Kong Vase (HK, G1), Nikkei Shinshun Hai (G2)
After years of proving consistent and competitive against the best field of horses in all the major grade races, Stay Gold kicked off his last season of his career and posted his second G2 victory in the Nikkei Shinshun Hai. But this was only just the beginning of a dramatic and glorious season fit for the talented but not always easy son of Sunday Silence's last season on the tracks. His next start was in Dubai, where he closed in on last year's Emirates World Series Champion and favorite, Fantastic Flight, and nosed out to steal the Dubai Sheema Classic title. Two races after, he exhibited again his powerful turn of foot at the straight and held down seven times G1 winner, T.M. Opera O in the Kyoto Daishoten (G2) and cleared the wire first, though disqualified for interference. His fourth challenge in the Japan Cup saw him in fourth place, his best score yet after finishing 10th, 6th and 8th in his previous three Japan Cup starts. And his final race of his career took place three weeks later in Hong Kong. In the Hong Kong Vase's field of 14, Stay Gold was sent to post as first choice and gave his last and best performance of his career where he closed in on the leader from a seven-length margin at the top of the stretch to two lengths in the last 100 meters and then finally passing the wire a head over Frankie Dettori and Ekraar with Indigenous 6-3/4 lengths behind in third. His first G1 victory in his 20th lifetime G1 attempts will be recorded in JRA history as the first overseas G1 ever to be scored by a Japanese-bred thoroughbred trained in his home country.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo102.jpg

[Horny Harry]

KUROFUNE
(3-year-old colt, gray
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo181.jpg
Sire / Dam (Sire of Dam): French Deputy / Blue Avenue (Classic Go Go)
Owner: Makoto Kaneko
Breeder: Nicholas M. Lotz
Trainer: Kunihide Matsuda
Wins / Starts of 2001: 4 / 6
Career Wins / Starts: 6 / 10
Earnings in 2001: 343,475,000 YEN
Career Earnings: 370,235,000 YEN
Principal Wins in 2001: NHK Mile Cup (G1), Japan Cup Dirt (G1), Musashino Stakes (G3), Mainichi Hai (G3)
Kurofune's outstanding performance throughout his career and especially after proving his formidable speed both on turf and on dirt will be recognized and remembered for years to come. After winning the NHK Mile Cup and being listed among the best of this year's outstanding string of three-year-olds, the French Deputy colt also received additional acknowledgement for his performance on dirt. His finishing time, 1:33.3 in the Musashino Stakes (1,600m) and 2:05.9 in the Japan Cup Dirt (2,100m) surpassed previous records by 1.2 and 1.3 seconds respectively. The gray's misfortune of having to give up his career due to a bowed tendon in the midst of hopes to compete against international competition was sad news to all of those who recognized his ability.
His progenies will be destined to carry on his unfinished assignment in the future
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo182.jpg

[Horny Harry]

GOKAI
(8-year-old horse, dark bay or brown)
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo191.jpg
Sire / Dam (Sire of Dam): Judge Angelucci / Yu Miroku (Katsurano Haiseiko)
Owner: Kei Yoshihashi
Breeder: Taihei Stud Farm Co., Ltd.
Trainer: Hiroyuki Gohara
Wins / Starts of 2001: 1 / 5 (steeplechase only)
Career Wins / Starts: 7 / 23 (steeplechase only)
Earnings in 2001: 134,566,000 YEN(steeplechase only)
Career Earnings: 436,922,000 YEN(steeplechase only)
Principal Wins in 2001: Nakayama Grand Jump (J-G1)
Gokai won his second JRA award following his title last year in the Best Steeplechase Horse category. In the Nakayama Grand Jump which attracted many outstanding jumpers from around the globe in its second running as an international event, Gokai defended his champion title again this year with a comfortable eight-length margin. Though the Nakayama Grand Jump was his only win this season, he proved consistent throughout the year scoring three seconds and a fourth in his remaining four starts, which led to his claiming 82 percent of total votes for this category. Gokai, whose name means "Dynamic"in Japanese began flat racing as a three-year-old and took up steeplechasing at six. Now a full-fledged jumper with a considerable turn of foot towards the finish, the son of Judge Angelucci, who has scored four wins, five seconds, a third and a fourth out of eleven starts during the past two seasons will continue his racing in the coming season.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo192.jpg

[Horny Harry]

TAMURO CHERRY
(2-year-old filly, chestnut)
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo131.jpg
Sire / Dam (Sire of Dam): Secreto / Miss Glory (Sakura Yutaka O)
Owner: Tamuro Taniguchi
Breeder: Suwa Bokujo
Trainer: Masato Nishizono
Wins / Starts of 2001: 3 / 6
Career Wins / Starts: same as above
Earnings in 2001: 100,413,000 YEN
Career Earnings: same as above
Principal Wins in 2001: Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1), Kokura Nisai Stakes (G3)
Tamuro Cherry, came out of the blue to steal the Kokura Nisai Stakes (G3) title and cause an upset that paid 10,780 YEN to 100 YEN for a win. The win earned some respect for the filly's tremendous turn of foot, but it took another victory, this time in the biggest event for two-year-olds, to really convince her audience that the daughter of Secreto possessed a good set of legs and a big heart. Under the skillful hands of French jockey, Olivier Peslier, the filly sat in mid field and went tearing along the homestretch from the outside for a 1/2 length victory. Her breeding farm in Aomori just south of Hokkaido was thrilled to see an Aomori-bred runner win a G1 event after Green Grass won the Arima Kinen 22 years ago. The victory also brought Peslier his third G1 title--three weeks running--in Japan after his previous win in the Mile Championship (Zenno El Cid) and the Japan Cup (Jungle Pocket). Her sire, Secreto (USA) won three out of four lifetime starts in Ireland and U.K. which included a victory in the Epsom Derby (UK-G1).
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo132.jpg

[Horny Harry]

ADMIRE DON
(2-year-old colt, bay)
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo121.jpg
Sire / Dam (Sire of Dam): Timber Country / Vega (Tony Bin)
Owner: Riichi Kondo
Breeder: Northern Farm
Trainer: Hiroyoshi Matsuda
Wins / Starts of 2001: 3 / 3
Career Wins / Starts: same as above
Earnings in 2001: 83,414,000 YEN
Career Earnings: same as above
Principal Wins in 2001: Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1)
Admire Don exhibited an explosive spurt towards home after breaking free from the crowd at the homestretch to win this year's Futurity Stakes in 1:33.8--just 0.2 seconds short of the previous record. The way he sat comfortable within the pace and found his way out after being boxed in after the fourth corner was enough to convince anyone that this horse is indeed the one to look out for in the coming seasons Triple Crown races. Sired by Timber Country (USA), winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (USA-G1) and the Preakness Stakes (USA-G1), and out of Vega, winner of the '93 Japanese Oaks (G1)-Japanese 1000 Guineas (G1) double, the lightly built bay colt carries the hopes of fans who look forward to see him in the winner's circle on Derby day like his brother, Admire Vega who won in '99.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo122.jpg

[Horny Harry]

Japan Association fir International... (http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/ja150.html)
AGNES DIGITAL
(4-year-old horse, chestnut)
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo151.jpg
Sire / Dam (Sire of Dam): Crafty Prospector, Chancey Squaw (Chief's Crown)
Owner: Takao Watanabe
Breeder: Catesby W. Clay & Peter J. Callahan
Trainer: Toshiaki Shirai
Wins / Starts of 2001: 4 / 7 (including 2 / 2 (NAR) and 1 / 1 overseas)
Career Wins / Starts: 10 / 22
Earnings in 2001: 397,789,000 YEN
Career Earnings: 664,283,000 YEN
Principal Wins in 2001: Tenno Sho Autumn (G1), Mile Championship Nanbu Hai (G1), Hong Kong Cup (HK, G1)
Though winless during his spring campaign this year, the Crafty Prospector colt switched on after his G3 victory in September and won all three remaining G1 races which included a win over defending champion T.M. Opera O in the Tenno Sho, Autumn and against international standards in the Hong Kong Cup. Known for his versatility and speed, Agnes Digital performed well on both dirt and on turf up to 2000 meters. He exceeds 77 percent in finishing within the money throughout his past 22 career starts '92 over dirt and 10 over turf tracks. American-bred Agnes Digital is said to head towards the Dubai World Cup (Dubai, G1) in March and possibly the Breeders' Cup Classic (USA, G1) for the 2002 season.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/special/awrd2001/body/image/photo152.jpg

[Horny Harry]

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2002
NAKAYAMA RACE COURSE
11th Race
Post time: 3:40pm
The 126th Running of the Tenno Sho(Autumn)
Grade One
3-year-old and upwards
Weights: Fixed
Added money(in million yen):
1st 132, 2nd 53, 3rd 33, 4th 20, 5th 13.2
B PP HORSE NAME coatcolor age sex weight jockey
(sire - dam, dam's sire)
Breeder/Owner/Trainer
Career record
1 1 NARITA TOP ROAD ch 6 h 58kgs Hirofumi Shii
(Soccer Boy - Floral Magic, by Affirmed)
Sasaki Bokujo/Hidenori Yamaji/Yoshio Oki(JRA Ritto)
27-8-5-8
Has competed at the highest level since he was at three. Returned this season with a great record of three wins in four starts. Comes here after a convincing victory in the Kyoto Daishoten(g2) three weeks ago. Multiple grade winner who makes his fifth start in the Tenno Sho including the spring edition. Narita Top Road has a best shot at it to materialize his lifetime ambition. Nothing would suit him better than the firm ground.
1 2 AGNES FLIGHT ch 5 h 58kgs Masaki Katsuura
(Sunday Silence - Agnes Flora, by Royal Ski)
Shadai Farm/Takao Watanabe/Hiroyuki Nagahama(JRA Ritto)
10-4-2-0
Got to the top of his generation two seasons ago when he won the Japanese Derby beating today's rival Air Shakur in a photo finish. A tendon injury forced him into a long setback. Agnes Flight makes his first start since March 2001 when running the Osaka Hai(g2). He attempts to find the good old form, but the big question mark is whether he can overcome the long absence in this particular event.
2 3 TRUST FIRE b 4 c 58kgs
(Sunday Silence - Easy Moving, Caerleon)
Hokusei Murata Bokujo/M.Suganami/Michifumi Kono(JRA Miho)
13-4-1-1
Has been off the board in recent two starts after a neck-second in the g2 Nakayama Kinen this Spring. Fresh off a six month absence, he finished a fine sixth last outing in the Mainichi Okan(g2) in early this month. Connetions expect him to run better in the second start back from the layoff.
2 4 ARATAMA INDY ch 5 h 58kgs Yuji Iida
(A.P. Indy - Aseltine's Angels, by Fappiano)
Makimoto Bokujo/Michi Araki/Meumu Shinkawa(JRA Ritto)
19-5-3-0
Stepped up to the grade level this season. A pair of wins at summer meet before having a hard time in the Kyoto Daishoten in latest. Will be his first start at the course and wants to make or chase the pace that he needs to produce his best run.
3 5 TENZAN SEIZA ch 4 c 58kgs Katsuharu Tanaka
(Tony Bin - Casey, by Caerleon)
Taihoku Stud Co.Ltd./Saburo Hirano/Hideaki Fujiwara(JRA Ritto)
16-3-1-3
Has exclusively run at the grade level in 10 straight starts. He has shown an encouraging effort from time to time during the period, but has not won since May 2001. Fourth finisher in the Kyoto Daishoten behind Narita Top Road on his lastest run. Will make his first appearance at Nakayama and could handle the course and distance.
3 6 EISHIN PRESTON(USA) b 5 h 58kgs Yuichi Fukunaga
(Green Dancer - Warranty Applied, by Monteverdi)
Joseph E.Gehl/Toyomitsu Hirai/Shuji Kitahashi(JRA Ritto)
24-9-4-1
Multiple g1 winner who can run with or off the pace depending on the early fractions. He was not disgraced last time when a one-length second to Magnaten in the Mainichi Okan(g2) three weeks ago after a 4-month break. The 2,000-meter distance could be within his range and he runs well at this course. Production of his consistent late surge will make a threat to rivals.
4 7 TSURUMARU BOY b 4 c 58kgs Hiroshi Kawachi
(Dance in the Dark - Tsurumaru Girl, by Soccer Boy)
Hamamoto Bokujo/Takao Tsurata/Kojiro Hashiguchi(JRA Ritto)
19-6-3-2
Has enjoyed a fabulous season this year with four firsts and two seconds in eight starts. Beaten two lengths second by Narita Top Road last outing in the Kyoto Daishoten three weeks ago. Untested at this course, but could not be underestimated his late charge.
4 8 SYMBOLI KRIS S(USA) db/br 3 c 56kgs Yukio Okabe
(Kris S. - Tee Kay, by Gold Meridian)
Takahiro Wada/Symboli Stud in USA/Kazuo Fujisawa(JRA Miho)
8-4-2-2
Regarded as one of the best 3-year-old colts in the country, who bypassed the Kikuka Sho to challenge the older runners here. This colt has never been worse than third in lifetime. Finished a respectable one-length second in the Japanese Derby, and then achieved the Kobe Shimbun Hai victory to get off a good start for his Autumn season. Untested in the open company, but this is a good opportunity for showing how good he is.
5 9 BREAKTIME b 5 h 58kgs Mikio Matsunaga
(Danehill - Homareno Princess, by Prince of Birds)
Taniguchi Bokujo/Norh Hills Management Co.Ltd/Shoji Yamamoto(JRA Ritto)
17-5-6-2
Has shown the good form in recent starts, scoring an impressive victory last time out in the Keisei Hai Autumn H(g3) in early September. He is considered as an excellent runner at 1,600 meters or less. Has never run beyond 1,600 meters, but tries to stay with this trip.
5 10
T.M. OCEAN b 4 f 56kgs Masaru Honda
(Dancing Brave - River Girl, by Rivlia)
Toshiki Kawagoe/Masatsugu Takezono/Katsuichi Nishiura(JRA Ritto)
11-7-0-2
Dual filly classic winner last term who rounded off the season with a fine fifth in the Arima Kinen(g1) last December. Made her 2002 debut two months ago with the Sapporo Kinen(g2) victory in which she beat male runners coming from behind. She has shown a new dimension of her running style in the last two outings. The distance is within her scope and she is likely to be well-matched. Could be the first female to grab the Tenno Sho title since Air Groove did it in 1997.
6 11
IBUKI GOVERNMENT b 6 h 58kgs Norihiro Yokoyama
(Commander in Chief - Rosita, by Mill George)
Takase Bokujo/Ibuki/Kojiro Hashiguchi(JRA Ritto)
34-7-6-3
Made his seasonal debut in April with a disatrous race, but he followed up with two consecutive seconds in August and September. Did run well last year's race when fourth finish to Agnes Digital. Tries to repeat that effort by coming off the pace.
6 12
GO STEADY b 5 h 58kgs Yutaka Yoshida
(Tony Bin - Katies First, by Kris)
Northern Farm/Hiroyoshi Usuda/Yokichi Okubo(JRA Miho)
20-6-1-2
Front-running type who has yet to put his name on the board at the grade level. Beaten less-than two lengths by Rosado to finish sixth in the All Comers(g2) last time out after making all the running to win a lower class stakes. Likes to take a leading position and try to hang on.
7 13
TOHO SHIDEN b 5 h 58kgs Olivier Peslier
(Brian's Time - Blushingintherain, by Blushing Groom)
Orient Bokujo/Toho Bussan Co.Ltd./Kiyotaka Tanaka(JRA Miho)
10-2-4-0
Got a couple of second finishes on the highest class in 2000 and was idle throughout the following year because of a leg problem. Returned this season with only two starts to date. Failed to show the form last time out when well-beaten in the Kinko Sho in early May. The 5-month layoff would be a negative factor and give others the edge.
7 14 AIR SHAKUR db/br 5 h 58kgs Yutaka Take
(Sunday Silence - I Dreamed a Dream, by Well Decorated)
Shadai Farm/Lucky Field Co.Ltd./Hideyuki Mori(JRA Ritto)
17-4-6-1
Dual classic winner two seasons ago. Has lightly raced and made only three starts this term and the results were not disgraced. Finished only two length off the winner when registering the Takarazuka fourth on his latest start. He has not won since October, 2000, but could go well at the course and distance. Aims at the fisrt victory in quite a while.
7 15 AGNES SPECIAL ch 5 h 58kgs Masayoshi Ebina
(Sunday Silence - Millracer, by Le Fabuleux)
Shadai Farm/Takao Watanabe/Futoshi Kojima(JRA Miho)
20-5-4-2
After two dull starts in July, returned a pair of seconds in the next two months, one of which was a great late move on his latest race, the All Comers(g2) at Niigata. He will meet the top-class runners for the first time.
8 16
DANTSU FLAME b 4 c 58kgs Shinji Fujita
(Brian's Time - Inter Pyrenees, by Sanquirico)
Nobuoka Bokujo/T.Yamamoto/Kenji Yamauchi(JRA Ritto)
15-5-5-0
He was finally crowned with a big success when winning the Takarazuka Kinen this spring. A off-day performance of the Mainichi Okan on his latest start fell short of expectations three weeks ago. The second start back from Summer vacation, his form could reach the peak and a true running may be seen this time at the course and distance he prefers.
8 17 SUNRISE PEGASUS @ch 4 c 58kgs Yoshitomi Shibata
(Sunday Silence - Higashi Brian, by Brian's Time)
Yanagawa Bokujo/Matsuda/Sei Ishizaka(JRA Ritto)
12-4-3-0
Has yet to have a big impact on the g1 event, but he may have the best finishing kick among the contestants. He went into action for his Autumn campaign three weeks ago with a fine Mainichi Okan fourth. The distance could give full play to his late stride.
8 18 ROSADO b 6 h 58kgs Hiroki Goto
(Sunday Silence - Rosa Nay, by Lyphard)
Northern Farm/Shadai Race Horse/Kojiro Hashiguchi(JRA Ritto)
38-5-6-3
Veteran runner who has mainly raced at the grade level in the last three seasons. Has yet to produce a successful run at the grade one, but he may be the best form coming off a record-breaking victory in the All Comers(g2) one month ago. For his late stride of full speed, the ground is firm as much as possible.

[Horny Harry]

http://groups.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=MyPhotos_GetMBPhoto&ImageID=nIwBrDiUN!9qpUzwbD!ZA6FJgPFWLw4XtuIPoNXXrI JXylPlGJqAmuf7Cl*BuWDVRXMKA*j4oWLs
From: InJapan2 in response to Message 84 Sent: 11/11/2002 12:03 PM
Fine Motion broke a few more records on the weekend here:
* The first 3yo filly to win the Queen Elizabeth Cup, since it was opened up to older horses 6 years ago;
* The first horse ever in Japan to win a G1 for older horses, without being beaten (she is now 6 from 6).
* Her winning margin on Sunday was 2 1/2 lengths which is the smallest margin that she has ever won by, but the biggest winning margin in the race's history.
Her last 600m was 33.2 seconds, after being 2nd/3rd the whole way. It was all over over at the top of the straight, and was one of the quietest G1 races I can remeber in Japan (usually everyone is screaming, but there was nothing to scream about this time).
Take had said previously that she was on a par with Jungle Pocket, and that he had seen no fillies/mares like this in Europe. I don't know what he will say now.
It would be good to see her run against the males (she has thrashed males before in Sapporo, but not the top class ones) in the Arima Kinen, but I'm guessing she will put away for next year. The trainer has a habit of telling everyone that there is a chance the horse will run, and then deciding not to at the last minute. She would have been a clear favourite in the JC (probably odds-on).
Unfortunately, the connections have no intention to take her overseas, so you all will miss out. However, barring accidents, she will be running in the JC next year, so that should top off her record before being retired at the end of next year.
Amazing horse.
[ November 11, 2002, 09:10 AM: Message edited by: Horny Harry ]

[Horny Harry]

http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/prerel/image/j10204_1.jpg
Eishon Preston
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/prerel/image/j10204_2.jpg
God OF Chance
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/prerel/image/j10204_3.jpg
Grass World
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/prerel/image/j10204_4.jpg
Dantsu Flame
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/prerel/image/j10204_5.jpg
Magnaten

[Horny Harry]

http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/prerel/image/j10204_6.jpg
Trot Star
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/prerel/image/j10204_7.jpg
Zeno El Cid
Caerleon-sired Zenno El Cid (IRE) was 8th in the Keio Hai and finished last in the Hong Kong Mile this past December.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/prerel/image/j10204_8.jpg
Millenium Boy

[Handy Harry]

Wednesday, December 11, 2002
No. 55
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Eishin Champ is a major player in Asahi Hai

EISHIN CHAMP(USA), most experienced in a field of 15 two-year-olds, turned out a major player in winning the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes(g1) at Nakayama on Sunday. The 8th choice EISHIN CHAMP won it by a neck from favorite SAKURA PRESIDENT with fifth choice T M RIKISAN another neck further back third. The final time of 1,600-meter turf distance was 1 minute 33.5, 0.1 second faster than the race record set by Grass Wonder in December 1997.

Yuichi Fukunaga rode masterly on the winner to gain his second Asahi Hai victory. The jockey won the race on EISHIN PRESTON(USA) in 1999.

EISHIN CHAMP, never out of the first four and going very well, made an early spurt at the final bend, and within more than 200 meters remaining, he responded to Fukunaga's drive, hitting in the leading position. Desperate challenges were made by SAKURA PRESIDENT and T M RIKISAN, who came on the inside and outside respectively to approach him at every stride. But, Fukunaga gave his colt an extra push to deny them in the end.

EISHIN CHAMP, a 2-year-old son of Mi Cielo and the Manila mare Eishin Michigan, has now won three in 9 starts under the care of Tsutomu Setoguchi and in the color of Toyomitsu Hirai. The first prize of 60+ million yen increased his career earnings to just over 106 million yen. Columbiana Farm in USA is a breeder of the colt.


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Ibuki Government captures Naruo Kinen

IBKI GOVERNMENT snapped his losing streak at Hanshin on Sunday when he won the Naruo Kinen(g3) as favorite. This was the first victory since September 2001 when the 6-year-old son of Commander in Chief was successful in the Asahi Challenge Cup(g3). A neck behind the winner, EISHIN SPENCER(USA) finished second place with BIG GOLD third in the field of 16 runners.

Veteran Hiroshi Kawachi was aboard on the winner to cross the finish line with a winning time of 1 minute 59.5 seconds for the 2,000-meter distance on turf.

Kojiro Hashiguchi-trained and Ibuki-owned IBUKI GOVERNMENT has now registered the eighth win in 36 starts and earnings of nearly 277 million yen. Takase Bokujo produced the winner, who is out of the Mill George mare Rosita.


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My Sole Sound lands Chunichi Shimbun

MY SOLE SOUND got up to the finish line for a neck victory from BAMBOO JUVENTUS in the Chunichi Shimbun Hai(g3) at Chukyo on Saturday. A.T. Daio finished another neck away third in the 14-runner contest.

The winning time was 1 minute 14.9 seconds after MY SOLE SOUND traveled over 1,800 meters on turf course.

It was the first grade success for MY SOLE SOUND, who has now four wins in 13 starts with over 88 million yen in earnings. Bred in Mombetsu, Hokkaido by Nagata Farm, he is a 3-year-old colt of Tamamo Cross and Cheers Sumire, by Sunday Silence. The colt is trained at Ritto by Nishiura and owned by Kiyoshi Sano.


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Yutaka Take, record-breaking performance at Hashin
It was Yutaka Take's day on Saturday at Hanshin that Take guided the eighth winner when he won the Gallaxy Stakes on Biwa Shinseiki. Take, 33, became the first jockey in JRA history to achieve that winning number in a single day.

Olivier Peslier completed his 200th win at JRA when he guided Marutaka Silence to a victory in the Shiwasu Stakes at Nakayama on Saturday. He became the first foreign jockey to reach the milestone in JRA racing. As of December 7, the French jockey has compiled 200 wins from 1147 mounts.


Thursday, December 5, 2002
No. 53
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Peace of World proves herself best 2-year-old filly in Juvenile Fillies

As the odds-on favorite in a field of 18 two-year-old fillies, undefeated PEACE OF WORLD won the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies(g1) at Hanshin on Sunday afternoon to prove herself the best 2-year-old filly in the country. Yuichi Fukunaga steered the winner to travel a 1,600-meter turf trip with a good winning time of 1 minute 34.7 seconds.

PEACE OF WORLD bursted into the front outside 100 meters from home immediately after Fukunaga asked her to shift into the top gear. Her acceleration left behind the remainders. The late Sunday Silence filly was unchallenged and stormed home for a comfortable 1 1/2-length victory.

" To avoide a traffic jam, I brought her outside at the far turn. She showed a strong finishing kick as I had expected.", Fukunaga said.

YAMAKATSU LILY with NAR jockey Katsumi Ando aboard had no reply against PEACE OF WORLD'S speed up after holding a brief lead. But, she scrambled into second place, a neck before third-placed BLANC BUR.

Masahiro Sakaguchi, trainer of the winner, said, " I had butterflies in my stomach until she went to the front leaving the 200-meter marker."

PEACE OF WORLD will be the favorite for the Oka Sho(g1), the first leg of the 3-year-old filly triple crown series. The plan for her is to earmark her next run for one of the trials in March on the way to the Oka Sho(g1).

Racing in the color of Tadashi Iida, PEACE OF WORLD has now earned just over 110 million yen in four starts. Chiyoda Farm in Shizuna, Hokkaido is a breeder of the filly out of the Caerleon mare Vivante Meule.


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Hot Secret gains his second Stayers Stakes victory

The Stayers Stakes(g2), the longest-distance flat race in Japan, was won at Nakayama on Saturday afternoon by HOT SECRET, who gained his second title. The 6-year-old gelding won the race two years ago. Covering a 3,600-meter distance in 3 minutes 45.6 seconds on grass, HOT SECRET won by a nose from DAITAKU BERTRAM with SUEHIRO COMMANDER another neck away third in the field of 11 runners.

Veteran jockey Yukio Okabe rode the 7th winner in the marathone event. Trained at Miho by Yoshiyuki Goto and owned by Makoto Kaneko, HOT SECRET(Hunting Hawk - Suda Nadeshiko, by Tai Tehm) has now won 7 of his 33 races with more than 377 million yen in earnings. The winning breeder is Hatakeyama Stud Farm in Shizunai, Hokkaido.

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Symboli Kris S, who defeated older horses in two of the most prestigious middle-long distance turf races, was named both Horse of the Year and Best Three-Year-Old Colt in 2002.

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A new contender emerges

A three-year-old foreign-born colt and filly have entered the spotlight as new leaders. The colt, Symboli Kris S (by Kris S., USA), finished 2nd in the Japanese Derby held in May. After a period of rest, Symboli Kris S returned to the turf at the September Kobe Shimbun Hai (GII), sweeping Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner No Reason (by Brian's Time) and other contestants under the rug. Symboli Kris S did not run in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger). Symboli Kris S ran in the Autumn Emperor's Cup, the Japan Cup, and the Arima Kinen (Grand Prix)--entering medium-to-long-distance races where mature horses also compete. At the Autumn Emperor's Cup, he took the lead on the straightaway, weaving through a pack of horses, and was able to stay ahead of Narita Top Road--a strong GI title contender since his victory at the 1999 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger). It had been five years since a three-year-old won the Emperor's Cup.

At the Japan Cup, Symboli Kris S's jockey was changed from Yukio Okabe to France's champion jockey Olivier Peslier. Symboli Kris S was the race favorite, and hopes were pinned on a fifth successive victory for the Japanese-trained horse. However, he was hampered by a late start and Falbrav (by Fairy King, USA) and Sarafan (by Lear Fan, USA) passed Symboli Kris S up on the straightaway and he finished third. Falbrav won the tight race by a nose, securing jockey Lanfranco Dettori's home country Italy its first Japan Cup victory. Dettori also won the Japan Cup Dirt race held on the previous day with Eagle Cafe (five-year-old colt by Gulch, USA), a Japanese horse. His reign over Japan Cup week is a brilliant achievement



In unanimous voting, Peace of World was chosen Best Two-Year-Old Filly and Fine Motion was selected Best Three-Year-Old Filly. While most other winners claimed their titles by comfortable margins, Diamond Biko (Best Filly or Mare) and Admire Cozzene (Best Sprinter or Miler) both had heavy competition from outstanding four-year-old Believe, who won the Sprinter's Stakes (G I) as well as a G III title this season.

JRA awards for trainers and jockeys saw regulars continue to reign. Kazuo Fujisawa won his eighth title as top trainer, his sixth for earnings and his eighth for training technique. Yutaka Take was voted Best Jockey for races won, winning average and earnings, dominating all three categories to claim his fifth Grand Prize.

The 2002 awards for the most outstanding horse in each of the 11 categories were decided by eligible voters consisting of journalists who have been members of the JRA Press Club for at least three years plus five representatives each from member companies of the Horse Racing Trade Papers Association. Some 281 people were eligible to vote in 2002.

The JRA presents annual awards in a total of 22 categories, both to recognize racehorses, trainers and jockeys for outstanding performances and to raise the standard and integrity of horse racing in Japan. Included among these is the Equine Culture Award, which have been presented annually since 1987 to recognize noteworthy achievements and contributions to Japanese equine culture by individuals and organizations outside of racing.