Horny Harry
25-09-2002, 19:50
The last GI race of the first half of JRA's season, the Takarazuka Kinen, was held June 23 at Hanshin Racecourse over 2,200 meters. While the Takarazuka Kinen has been opened to foreign-bred horses since 1997 and was classified as an international GI race last year, this year's race saw no competitors from abroad among the 12 entries.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/library/journal/v10n4/photo_05.jpg
The race started off with 3-year-old Lohengrin immediately taking the lead over five lengths, with the remaining contenders spreading into a long line through the backstretch. At the top of the homestretch, favorite Dantsu Flame bolted from the front group to tag Lohengrin, but not for long. Lohengrin took the lead again some 200 meters before the wire, until Dantsu Flame exerted a magnificent kick, overtaking Lohengrin 50 meters before the post for the win. Four-year-old Tsurumaru Boy, who had surged forward from way back, stalked right outside Dantsu Flame in the homestretch until the goal with a neck margin. The winning time was 2:12.9/10 on firm turf.
Dantsu Flame out of Inter Pyrenees (USA) was bred by Nobuoka Bokujo in Urakawa, Hokkaido, selling at a foal auction for 25 million YEN. His sire, Brian's Time (USA), was bred in 1985 and won five out of 21 starts in the U.S. Imported in 1989, he has produced 13 GI winners, including triple crown winner Narita Brian, Arima Kinen winners Mayano Top Gun and Silk Justice, and this year's Japanese Derby winner, Tanino Gimlet. The contribution Brian's Time has made to Japanese racing is as great as that of Sunday Silence.
Dantsu Flame placed second in last year's Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) and Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), and at this year's Yasuda Kinen (GI). He was top-ranked with 115 points on the JRA pre-rating list made public on June 17 for horses declared to run the Takarazuka Kinen. The Takarazuka Kinen has been good to 4-year-olds, as they have taken the crown 25 times; 5-year-olds crossed the wire first 11 times, 6-year-olds five times and 7-year-olds once. Three-year-old horses have yet to take a win. As if following history, 4-year-old colt Dantsu Flame won this year.
Dantsu Flame (left) kicks into the lead just before the wire.
In 1997 the weight carried in this race for 3- and 4 year-olds and up was changed; 3-year-old colts now carry 53kg, with fillies holding 51kg; while colts 4-years old and up carry 58kg, and mares 56kg. This gap between 3- and 4-year-olds is larger than the 2kg spread used in other GI races. As expected, Lohengrin ran well, placing third with a 5kg allowance from other contenders.
Pari-mutuel handle decreased considerably this year as compared to last for two main reasons: Jungle Pocket Ñ winner of the Derby and Japan Cup Ñ along with the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh most popular horses selected by fan voting were all no-runs, and due to conflicting schedules with the FIFA World Cup.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/library/journal/v10n4/photo_04.jpg
Takarazuka Kinen winner Dantsu Flame and connections.
Some 18 thoroughbreds can run in the Takarazuka Kinen. Up to 10 horses are selected from the results of a vote by fans; others are chosen according to their GI winnings and earnings.
Attendance peaked at 56,920, with pari-mutuel at 18,028,138,800 YEN, 81.3 percent and 75.4 percent of last year's figures.
Among the 11 JRA GI races held in the first half, only the Satsuki Sho increased betting turnover over last year's take
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/library/journal/v10n4/photo_05.jpg
The race started off with 3-year-old Lohengrin immediately taking the lead over five lengths, with the remaining contenders spreading into a long line through the backstretch. At the top of the homestretch, favorite Dantsu Flame bolted from the front group to tag Lohengrin, but not for long. Lohengrin took the lead again some 200 meters before the wire, until Dantsu Flame exerted a magnificent kick, overtaking Lohengrin 50 meters before the post for the win. Four-year-old Tsurumaru Boy, who had surged forward from way back, stalked right outside Dantsu Flame in the homestretch until the goal with a neck margin. The winning time was 2:12.9/10 on firm turf.
Dantsu Flame out of Inter Pyrenees (USA) was bred by Nobuoka Bokujo in Urakawa, Hokkaido, selling at a foal auction for 25 million YEN. His sire, Brian's Time (USA), was bred in 1985 and won five out of 21 starts in the U.S. Imported in 1989, he has produced 13 GI winners, including triple crown winner Narita Brian, Arima Kinen winners Mayano Top Gun and Silk Justice, and this year's Japanese Derby winner, Tanino Gimlet. The contribution Brian's Time has made to Japanese racing is as great as that of Sunday Silence.
Dantsu Flame placed second in last year's Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) and Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), and at this year's Yasuda Kinen (GI). He was top-ranked with 115 points on the JRA pre-rating list made public on June 17 for horses declared to run the Takarazuka Kinen. The Takarazuka Kinen has been good to 4-year-olds, as they have taken the crown 25 times; 5-year-olds crossed the wire first 11 times, 6-year-olds five times and 7-year-olds once. Three-year-old horses have yet to take a win. As if following history, 4-year-old colt Dantsu Flame won this year.
Dantsu Flame (left) kicks into the lead just before the wire.
In 1997 the weight carried in this race for 3- and 4 year-olds and up was changed; 3-year-old colts now carry 53kg, with fillies holding 51kg; while colts 4-years old and up carry 58kg, and mares 56kg. This gap between 3- and 4-year-olds is larger than the 2kg spread used in other GI races. As expected, Lohengrin ran well, placing third with a 5kg allowance from other contenders.
Pari-mutuel handle decreased considerably this year as compared to last for two main reasons: Jungle Pocket Ñ winner of the Derby and Japan Cup Ñ along with the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh most popular horses selected by fan voting were all no-runs, and due to conflicting schedules with the FIFA World Cup.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/library/journal/v10n4/photo_04.jpg
Takarazuka Kinen winner Dantsu Flame and connections.
Some 18 thoroughbreds can run in the Takarazuka Kinen. Up to 10 horses are selected from the results of a vote by fans; others are chosen according to their GI winnings and earnings.
Attendance peaked at 56,920, with pari-mutuel at 18,028,138,800 YEN, 81.3 percent and 75.4 percent of last year's figures.
Among the 11 JRA GI races held in the first half, only the Satsuki Sho increased betting turnover over last year's take