2023 Japanese Racing

brunanas · Mon Oct 09, 2023 5:18 am

Lemon Pop just said "bye bye"

tachyon · Mon Oct 09, 2023 5:21 am

brunanas wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 5:18 am Lemon Pop just said "bye bye"

He was much the best!!!!

tachyon · Mon Oct 09, 2023 5:30 am

Lemon Pop(USA)(H5. Lemon Drop Kid) wins the Mile Championship Nambu Hai under Ryusei Sakai for Godolphin.
Harry Sweeney looks very happy!!

-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM47PbLp3R8

tachyon · Mon Oct 09, 2023 7:51 am

and from godolphin.com

''Lemon Pop far too sharp for Mile Championship Nambu Hai rivals''
https://www.godolphin.com/news/lemon-po ... hai-rivals

“The next options have not been decided and Lemon Pop effectively has three choices, one of which is the Jpn G1 JBC Sprint over six furlongs at the beginning of November. He is also qualified to run in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita, which the jockey was angling towards after the race. The third option is the G1 Champions Cup at the beginning of December, which is over nine furlongs.

“Lemon Pop’s trainer was never really in favour of running him over a mile, even though he has now won two top competitions over the distance, and he certainly showed today that he has no problem with the trip. Certainly, we will be looking at the Champions Cup, with one run beforehand. We will be discussing it intently over the next few days.”

brunanas · Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:40 am

BRING

HIM

OVER

Justahorse · Mon Oct 09, 2023 11:04 am

I hope he comes

BaroqueAgain1 · Mon Oct 09, 2023 2:32 pm

It is fascinating that Lemon Drop Kid, the winner of the 12-furlong Belmont Stakes, has such an accomplished sprinter/miler son. As a grandson of Kingmambo, whose bloodlines shine in Japan, Lemon Pop should be popular with breeders when he retires.
And, yes, please bring him East across the Pacific for the BC Dirt Mile.

tachyon · Mon Oct 09, 2023 5:51 pm

Godolphin already has Cody’s Wish who seems to be unbeatable in the BC Dirt Mile.
But I strongly hope that they give Lemon Pop a shot.
To me, he is the most exciting dirt miler in Japan since Kurofune(USA).

MySaladDays · Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:48 pm

I had started following Lemon Pop in late 2021.. I posted on a few forums that if he came over for our 2022 TC races he would bury the field. He was eligible as a 3 year old. I was literally salivating......then..... he got injured. My heart broke, because I still have my notes on him, where I said he "took my breath away" I was also a big fan of his sire, Belmont winner LDK. And grandson of 2 chef-de-race Giants Causeway & Kingamambo.

So .... he spent almost a year recuperating from an injury that pretty much destroyed his entire 3 year old career.

I was thrilled to see him come back in the February stakes back in Feb. at Tokyo, (which has always been the road to Dubai races in the past)....but his regular rider, Tosaki, got off him to ride a different horse for that race (bet he's sorry now! his horse ran out of the money) .

Lemon Pop was 8 for 11 going into that race and his only 2 losses were getting Place, so I don't know what his regular rider was thinking? . Maybe it was because Lemon Pop's trainer was kinda new to the JRA scene, (I think?) ....he didn't open his barn until 2018. At any rate his new rider in the Feb Stakes settled him and he was 4-5 wide the whole time, then unleashed his KILLER turn of foot in the stretch. And , it appears he just showed us that, again, in his most recent race in the Mile Championship Nambu Hai .

He had already gotten a berth in the BC races after the Febraury Stakes. THen he did indeed, go to Dubai....which is often the trajectory from the February Stakes....... and ran 10th.

So Lemon Pop is the real deal...but I really don't think he will come over here. Time between races too short, He already had a berth in the BC races after his February Stakes win, then given his former injury, and maybe his travel to Dubai and doing so badly there (worst of his entire career) will keep him closer to home, JMHO.

Here's his February Stakes before he went to dubai I didin't look thru all the races to see if it was posted:. kinda a weird one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gabdYSr4GS4

tachyon · Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:25 am

MySaladDays wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:48 pm I had started following Lemon Pop in late 2021.. I posted on a few forums that if he came over for our 2022 TC races he would bury the field. He was eligible as a 3 year old. I was literally salivating......then..... he got injured. My heart broke, because I still have my notes on him, where I said he "took my breath away" I was also a big fan of his sire, Belmont winner LDK. And grandson of 2 chef-de-race Giants Causeway & Kingamambo.

So .... he spent almost a year recuperating from an injury that pretty much destroyed his entire 3 year old career.

I was thrilled to see him come back in the February stakes back in Feb. at Tokyo, (which has always been the road to Dubai races in the past)....but his regular rider, Tosaki, got off him to ride a different horse for that race (bet he's sorry now! his horse ran out of the money) .

Lemon Pop was 8 for 11 going into that race and his only 2 losses were getting Place, so I don't know what his regular rider was thinking? . Maybe it was because Lemon Pop's trainer was kinda new to the JRA scene, (I think?) ....he didn't open his barn until 2018. At any rate his new rider in the Feb Stakes settled him and he was 4-5 wide the whole time, then unleashed his KILLER turn of foot in the stretch. And , it appears he just showed us that, again, in his most recent race in the Mile Championship Nambu Hai .

He had already gotten a berth in the BC races after the Febraury Stakes. THen he did indeed, go to Dubai....which is often the trajectory from the February Stakes....... and ran 10th.

So Lemon Pop is the real deal...but I really don't think he will come over here. Time between races too short, He already had a berth in the BC races after his February Stakes win, then given his former injury, and maybe his travel to Dubai and doing so badly there (worst of his entire career) will keep him closer to home, JMHO.

Here's his February Stakes before he went to dubai I didin't look thru all the races to see if it was posted:. kinda a weird one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gabdYSr4GS4

Lemon Pop was unlucky.
As he is owned by Sheikh Mo's Godolphin, that trip to Dubai after his February Stakes success was a logical choice.
But he was raced in a wrong race that day - the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, 6F dirt, which was obviously too short him.
They had the Godolphin Mile 8F dirt on the same DWC day which could have suited for him. But the Godolphin Mile was a G2 event.
That's the way they preferred to enter him to the G1 Golden Shaheen...

If he is truly a dirt miler (I think he is) and if his connections want to give him a shot for a G1 title overseas, his destination will have to be the US.
So I really hope he will go the BC Dirt Mile this year.
And, if he stays in training next year (I'm not sure about that at all), I would love to see him run in the Met Mile at Belmont Park.

tachyon · Sat Oct 14, 2023 3:16 am

-- from bloodhorse.com

''Liberty Island Bids for Japan's Filly Triple Crown''
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... iple-crown

KYOTO 11R
THE SHUKA SHO(G1)

October 15, 2023, 2000m, Turf, Post time 15:40
INT F&M DSN, Weight for Age, 3-Year-Olds, Open Class, Value of race: 215,520,000 Yen

-- HorseRacingInJapan
@HorseRacing_JPN
·
#JRA Shuka Sho (G1, 15:40, Oct. 15)
https://japanracing.jp/en/racing/schedu ... shuka.html
Barrier Draw https://japanracing.jp/_news2023/231013.html
http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/result/
Preview https://japanracing.jp/_news2023/231010-03.html
Comments https://japanracing.jp/_news2023/231013-02.html
Data Analysis https://japanracing.jp/_news2023/231010.html
Race Programme https://japanracing.jp/en/racing/result ... /2023.html

-- Netkeiba Form
https://en.netkeiba.com/race/newspaper. ... 2308020511

Liberty Island (Duramente) is now quoted as a 1/10 favorite!

tachyon · Sat Oct 14, 2023 9:05 pm

Following overnight rain in Kyoto, turf condition has been downgraded to ''yielding'' this morning.
And win odds on Liberty Island slipped somewhat from 1/10 to 1/5.

As it's fine now, going may improve to ''good'' by the Shuka Sho post time.
But it's going to be first time she races on a turf other than ''good to firm''.
Can she love some wet?

tachyon · Sun Oct 15, 2023 2:48 am

Liberty Island wins the Shuka Sho to become seventh filly in history to complete the Triple Tiara!

-- replay (Japanese -- full version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8yyAvmW5xo

-- replay (English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNwWJeBml_s

1st 6 Liberty Island(JPN) [Duramente(JPN) x Yankee Rose(AUS) by All American(AUS)] F3 55 02:01.1
2nd 7 Masked Diva(JPN) [Rulership(JPN) x Mask Off(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN)] F3 55 02:01.2 1
3rd 2 Harper(JPN) [Heart's Cry(JPN) x Seresta(ARG) by Jump Start(USA)] F3 55 02:01.6 2 1/2
4th 5 Dura(JPN) F3 55 02:01.6 NS
5th 8 Moryana(JPN) F3 55 02:01.7 NK
6th 3 Malaki Naia(JPN) F3 55 02:01.8 1/2
7th 18 Emu(JPN) F3 55 02:01.8 NK
8th 4 Kona Coast(JPN) F3 55 02:02.1 1 1/2
9th 15 Hip Hop Soul(JPN) F3 55 02:02.1 HD
10th 12 Doe Eyes(JPN) F3 55 02:02.1 NK
11th 13 Ravel(JPN) F3 55 02:02.2 NK
12th 11 Kita Wing(JPN) F3 55 02:02.2 NK
13th 9 Mississippi Tesoro(JPN) F3 55 02:02.2 3/4
14th 16 Pipiola(JPN) F3 55 02:02.4 NK
15th 10 Grand Bernadette(JPN) F3 55 02:02.4 NK
16th 1 Festes Band(JPN) F3 55 02:02.6 1 1/4
17th 17 Soleil Vita(JPN) F3 55 02:02.8 1 1/4
18th 14 Conch Shell(JPN) F3 55 02:03.0 1

tachyon · Sun Oct 15, 2023 4:57 am

-- full video of Yuga Kawada's jockey camera on Liberty Island in the Shuka Sho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N-jbk51sbo

-- JRA review

''Liberty Island Wins the Shuka Sho and Crowned Triple Crown Champion''

https://japanracing.jp/_news2023/pdf/231015.pdf

brunanas · Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:47 am

tachyon wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2023 2:48 am Liberty Island wins the Shuka Sho to become seventh filly in history to complete the Triple Tiara!

-- replay (Japanese -- full version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8yyAvmW5xo

-- replay (English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNwWJeBml_s

1st 6 Liberty Island(JPN) [Duramente(JPN) x Yankee Rose(AUS) by All American(AUS)] F3 55 02:01.1
2nd 7 Masked Diva(JPN) [Rulership(JPN) x Mask Off(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN)] F3 55 02:01.2 1
3rd 2 Harper(JPN) [Heart's Cry(JPN) x Seresta(ARG) by Jump Start(USA)] F3 55 02:01.6 2 1/2
4th 5 Dura(JPN) F3 55 02:01.6 NS
5th 8 Moryana(JPN) F3 55 02:01.7 NK
6th 3 Malaki Naia(JPN) F3 55 02:01.8 1/2
7th 18 Emu(JPN) F3 55 02:01.8 NK
8th 4 Kona Coast(JPN) F3 55 02:02.1 1 1/2
9th 15 Hip Hop Soul(JPN) F3 55 02:02.1 HD
10th 12 Doe Eyes(JPN) F3 55 02:02.1 NK
11th 13 Ravel(JPN) F3 55 02:02.2 NK
12th 11 Kita Wing(JPN) F3 55 02:02.2 NK
13th 9 Mississippi Tesoro(JPN) F3 55 02:02.2 3/4
14th 16 Pipiola(JPN) F3 55 02:02.4 NK
15th 10 Grand Bernadette(JPN) F3 55 02:02.4 NK
16th 1 Festes Band(JPN) F3 55 02:02.6 1 1/4
17th 17 Soleil Vita(JPN) F3 55 02:02.8 1 1/4
18th 14 Conch Shell(JPN) F3 55 02:03.0 1

guess i'll need her special edition plushie in a few months, then.

Palace Malice · Sun Oct 15, 2023 1:48 pm

tachyon wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2023 2:48 am Liberty Island wins the Shuka Sho to become seventh filly in history to complete the Triple Tiara!

-- replay (Japanese -- full version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8yyAvmW5xo

-- replay (English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNwWJeBml_s

1st 6 Liberty Island(JPN) [Duramente(JPN) x Yankee Rose(AUS) by All American(AUS)] F3 55 02:01.1
2nd 7 Masked Diva(JPN) [Rulership(JPN) x Mask Off(JPN) by Deep Impact(JPN)] F3 55 02:01.2 1
3rd 2 Harper(JPN) [Heart's Cry(JPN) x Seresta(ARG) by Jump Start(USA)] F3 55 02:01.6 2 1/2
4th 5 Dura(JPN) F3 55 02:01.6 NS
5th 8 Moryana(JPN) F3 55 02:01.7 NK
6th 3 Malaki Naia(JPN) F3 55 02:01.8 1/2
7th 18 Emu(JPN) F3 55 02:01.8 NK
8th 4 Kona Coast(JPN) F3 55 02:02.1 1 1/2
9th 15 Hip Hop Soul(JPN) F3 55 02:02.1 HD
10th 12 Doe Eyes(JPN) F3 55 02:02.1 NK
11th 13 Ravel(JPN) F3 55 02:02.2 NK
12th 11 Kita Wing(JPN) F3 55 02:02.2 NK
13th 9 Mississippi Tesoro(JPN) F3 55 02:02.2 3/4
14th 16 Pipiola(JPN) F3 55 02:02.4 NK
15th 10 Grand Bernadette(JPN) F3 55 02:02.4 NK
16th 1 Festes Band(JPN) F3 55 02:02.6 1 1/4
17th 17 Soleil Vita(JPN) F3 55 02:02.8 1 1/4
18th 14 Conch Shell(JPN) F3 55 02:03.0 1

Yay she did it!

She's so pretty with her little ponpon.
Can't wait to see her against the order horses. Japan Cup?

And Masked Diva is talented too, hope she wins a G1 soon.

tachyon · Mon Oct 16, 2023 7:26 am

brunanas wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:47 am
guess i'll need her special edition plushie in a few months, then.

We will see LI's Triple Tiara version soon!!

Almond Eye in 2018

tachyon · Mon Oct 16, 2023 8:31 am

Palace Malice wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2023 1:48 pm
Yay she did it! She's so pretty with her little ponpon.

Liberty Island has had six different pompons at least!!

brunanas · Mon Oct 16, 2023 9:10 am

i hope they keep the pompom in the Triple Tiara version....

tachyon · Mon Oct 16, 2023 9:43 am

By the way, Liberty Island’s pompoms are hand-crafted by the wife of her groom Keisuke Matsuzaki.

photo: Liberty Island with jockey Yuga Kawada and groom Keisuke Matsuzaki as she won the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies last year