2023 Japanese Racing

[tachyon]

So happy to see this! Won really nicely and has a big stride. Wonder where the big gray goes next?

His jockey Yuga Kawada had commented that he would be a G1 contender in overseas in 2024-2025.
He is still green and will continue to improve from now on.
I have no idea about his next start.
I only guess that trainer Yoshito Yahagi will take a step-by-step approach with this Arrogate colt.

[Squeaky]

So happy to see this! Won really nicely and has a big stride. Wonder where the big gray goes next?

His jockey Yuga Kawada had commented that he would be a G1 contender in overseas in 2024-2025.
He is still green and will continue to improve from now on.
I have no idea about his next start.
I only guess that trainer Yoshito Yahagi will take a step-by-step approach with this Arrogate colt.

Hope they continue to let him develop at his own pace and give him all the time he needs - they will be rewarded!

[tachyon]

Equinox



There will be no rain at Hanshin and turf condition will remain good-to-firm today.
This is the first time Equinox races at Hanshin Racecourse.
And Takarazuka Kinen is run over 2200m inner turf course which ends with a shorter straight.
If there is a concern about the heavy favorite Equinox, he is considered a stretch runner who loves a longer final-straight.
Everyone wants to see him win here in open lengths.
But his opponents are not so shabby either.

[Starine]

Mystic Lore was impressive -- he certainly has a bright future and it's exciting to read he may run abroad next season.

As for Equinox, short straight or not a win by anyone else would be a shock. It's not a shabby field but he was so exceptional in Dubai and further flattered by Mostahdaf in the Prince of Wales this week.

[tachyon]

Equinox wins it !!!
Through Seven Seas came flying to finish 2nd.
She may go the Arc later this year.

[tachyon]

-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXZTN3lJu5w

-- result

[tachyon]

-- full video of Christophe Lemaire's jockey camera on Equinox in the Takarazuka Kinen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCeOGeihW08

Lemaire said in Japanese;
''Oh!'' (at the start)
''Arigatou!'' (after he won)
''I swung him to the outside as his response was slow.''
''We were at the rear.''
''The pace was swift in today's turf condition.''
''Yoshi! Yatta!!''

[20hayes20]

https://youtu.be/6Miah64ZWS0

[Squeaky]

-- full video of Christophe Lemaire's jockey camera on Equinox in the Takarazuka Kinen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCeOGeihW08

Lemaire said in Japanese;
''Oh!'' (at the start)
''Arigatou!'' (after he won)
''I swung him to the outside as his response was slow.''
''We were at the rear.''
''The pace was swift in today's turf condition.''
''Yoshi! Yatta!!''

Exciting race! What did he say as he was passing the horse in yellow silks? The filly really ran well- got stopped for a minute in mid-stretch or may have been even closer!

[Palace Malice]

Amazing Equinox And impressed by Through Seven Seas, she may belong in the arc after all!

Can't wait to see those future Equinox x Almond Eye babies in a couple of years!

[tachyon]

-- full video of Christophe Lemaire's jockey camera on Equinox in the Takarazuka Kinen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCeOGeihW08

Lemaire said in Japanese;
''Oh!'' (at the start)
''Arigatou!'' (after he won)
''I swung him to the outside as his response was slow.''
''We were at the rear.''
''The pace was swift in today's turf condition.''
''Yoshi! Yatta!!''

Exciting race! What did he say as he was passing the horse in yellow silks? The filly really ran well- got stopped for a minute in mid-stretch or may have been even closer!

Yeah, that was the critical point of today's race!!!
I've just realized (after hearing Lemaire's comment on Equinox owners' official website) that Lemaire spoke to Katsuma Samejima, Justin Palace's jockey, at that point.

Lemaire (Equinox) was blocked by Yutaka Take (Geraldina on the left) and Katsuma Samejima (Justin Palace in front) throughout.


Geraldina finally made his move. But Justin Palace didn't move.


(Frustrated?) Lemaire yelled to Katsuma Samejima (Justin Palace) something like ''Hey, what's up? (why you don't go?)''


So it was not Equinox's response that was slow but Justin Palace's response, which made Lemaire to swing Equinox to the outside.

[Squeaky]

Thanks! What was the ripping ( Velcro) kind of sound at the end was that the crop or just urging on with hands?

[Starine]

Equinox a narrow but determined winner. Didn't think the winning margin would be so small but his trip was not ideal.

[tachyon]

Thanks! What was the ripping ( Velcro) kind of sound at the end was that the crop or just urging on with hands?

I have no idea about it..
In the meantime, Christophe Lemaire explained his ride on Equinox at WHR.

https://twitter.com/WHR/status/1672958498831994880

It was not an easy race.
But Lemaire proved himself the most reliable jockey on the Japanese turf again!

[tachyon]

Equinox a narrow but determined winner. Didn't think the winning margin would be so small but his trip was not ideal.

Agreed.
And he extended his versatility in his running styles, too, by charging late from second last to win the G1.

[tachyon]

Champion Equinox(JPN)(C4. Kitasan Black) left Kimura Stable in Miho on Friday for Northern Farm Ten-Ei in Fukushima Prefecture to have a summer vacation.


at Kimura Stable


Northern Farm Ten-Ei

-- video
https://twitter.com/toshio_wada/status/ ... 8830778369


Champion Liberty Island(JPN)(F3. Duramente) has been resting at Northern Farm Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture.

[brunanas]

Mick Fire (Sinister Minister × Mariage, by Brian's Time) won the 2000m JpnI Japan Dirt Derby at Ohi last night, sweeping the (unofficial) Dirt Triple Crown (having won the Haneda Hai and Tokyo Derby) and remaining undefeated in 6 starts! a NAR horse, he beat multiple JRA runners in the race.

he got an standing ovation.
https://twitter.com/sakukeiba_1582/stat ... qvzAg&s=19

FULL ORDER OF FINISH:
1. Mick Fire (Sinister Minister)
2. Kirinji (Kizuna) [JRA]
3. Mitono O (Logotype) [JRA]
4. Yuttitham (Justify) [JRA]
5. Oro y Plata (Real Impact) [JRA]
6. Goraiko (Hokko Tarumae) [JRA]
7. Dora Ken (Eishin Flash)
8. Bleu Marine Ciel (Vincennes)
9. Omatsuri Otoko (Vittorio d'Oro) [JRA]
10. Rise Zone (Beach Patrol)
11. T O Ricardo (Pyro) [JRA]


by Weekly Gallop (Twitter)

full replay (in japanese):
https://youtu.be/kipNB3E-l-U

article about the race (in english):
https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/l ... irt-derby/

[Justahorse]

Mick Fire (Sinister Minister × Mariage, by Brian's Time) won the 2000m JpnI Japan Dirt Derby at Ohi last night, sweeping the (unofficial) Dirt Triple Crown (having won the Haneda Hai and Tokyo Derby) and remaining undefeated in 6 starts! a NAR horse, he beat multiple JRA runners in the race.

he got an standing ovation.
https://twitter.com/sakukeiba_1582/stat ... qvzAg&s=19

FULL ORDER OF FINISH:
1. Mick Fire (Sinister Minister)
2. Kirinji (Kizuna) [JRA]
3. Mitono O (Logotype) [JRA]
4. Yuttitham (Justify) [JRA]
5. Oro y Plata (Real Impact) [JRA]
6. Goraiko (Hokko Tarumae) [JRA]
7. Dora Ken (Eishin Flash)
8. Bleu Marine Ciel (Vincennes)
9. Omatsuri Otoko (Vittorio d'Oro) [JRA]
10. Rise Zone (Beach Patrol)
11. T O Ricardo (Pyro) [JRA]


by Weekly Gallop (Twitter)

full replay (in japanese):
https://youtu.be/kipNB3E-l-U

article about the race (in english):
https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/l ... irt-derby/

How many have won the dirt triple crown?

[brunanas]

Mick Fire (Sinister Minister × Mariage, by Brian's Time) won the 2000m JpnI Japan Dirt Derby at Ohi last night, sweeping the (unofficial) Dirt Triple Crown (having won the Haneda Hai and Tokyo Derby) and remaining undefeated in 6 starts! a NAR horse, he beat multiple JRA runners in the race.

he got an standing ovation.
https://twitter.com/sakukeiba_1582/stat ... qvzAg&s=19

FULL ORDER OF FINISH:
1. Mick Fire (Sinister Minister)
2. Kirinji (Kizuna) [JRA]
3. Mitono O (Logotype) [JRA]
4. Yuttitham (Justify) [JRA]
5. Oro y Plata (Real Impact) [JRA]
6. Goraiko (Hokko Tarumae) [JRA]
7. Dora Ken (Eishin Flash)
8. Bleu Marine Ciel (Vincennes)
9. Omatsuri Otoko (Vittorio d'Oro) [JRA]
10. Rise Zone (Beach Patrol)
11. T O Ricardo (Pyro) [JRA]


by Weekly Gallop (Twitter)

full replay (in japanese):
https://youtu.be/kipNB3E-l-U

article about the race (in english):
https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/l ... irt-derby/

How many have won the dirt triple crown?

will have to leave that to tachyon

[tachyon]

Mick Fire (Sinister Minister × Mariage, by Brian's Time) won the 2000m JpnI Japan Dirt Derby at Ohi last night, sweeping the (unofficial) Dirt Triple Crown (having won the Haneda Hai and Tokyo Derby) and remaining undefeated in 6 starts! a NAR horse, he beat multiple JRA runners in the race.

he got an standing ovation.
https://twitter.com/sakukeiba_1582/stat ... qvzAg&s=19

FULL ORDER OF FINISH:
1. Mick Fire (Sinister Minister)
2. Kirinji (Kizuna) [JRA]
3. Mitono O (Logotype) [JRA]
4. Yuttitham (Justify) [JRA]
5. Oro y Plata (Real Impact) [JRA]
6. Goraiko (Hokko Tarumae) [JRA]
7. Dora Ken (Eishin Flash)
8. Bleu Marine Ciel (Vincennes)
9. Omatsuri Otoko (Vittorio d'Oro) [JRA]
10. Rise Zone (Beach Patrol)
11. T O Ricardo (Pyro) [JRA]


by Weekly Gallop (Twitter)

full replay (in japanese):
https://youtu.be/kipNB3E-l-U

article about the race (in english):
https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/l ... irt-derby/

How many have won the dirt triple crown?

First of all, thanks for the update, Brunanas!!
Mick Fire(JPN) was an impressive winner in the final running of the Jpn1 (listed) Japan Dirt Derby, which will be renamed to the Jpn1(listed) Japan Dirt Classic next year, and became an undefeated Triple Crown winner of the Minami Kanto (Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures) circuit.
Minami Kanto (aka Nan-Kan) is seen the most competitive circuit among NAR.

From next year, Japan will implement a new Dirt Triple Crown for 3-year-olds in the collaboration between JRA and NAR.
Related article (in English) on Bloodhorse is here below.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... re-in-2024

Hi Justhorse,
Mick Fire is the eighth Triple Crown winner under the old formula ''Dirt Triple Crown in the Minami Kanto circuit'' since 1964, and the second horse to achieved it while undefeated.

It looks like Japan has an excellent group of 3yos on dirt this year --- Mick Fire(JPN)(Sinister Minister), Derma Sotogake(JPN)(Mind Your Biscuits), Mandarin Hero(JPN)(Shanghai Bobby), Perriere(JPN)(Henny Hughes), Yamanin Ours(JPN)(Just a Way) and so on!!!!!!