The rise of Sunday Silence

[tachyon]

Dee Majesty(JPN), 2013C. Deep Impact(JPN) x Hermes Tiara(JPN) by Brian's Time(USA), won in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) smashing the stakes record 2000m turf at Nakayama on April 17th 2016.




-- replay (English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXyF0PbCyY4
1st 18 Dee Majesty(JPN) (Deep Impact x Hermes Tiara by Brian's Time) C3 57 01:57.9 (record)
2nd 3 Makahiki(JPN) (Deep Impact x Wikiwiki by French Deputy) C3 57 01:58.1 1 1/4
3rd 11 Satono Diamond(JPN) (Deep Impact x Malpensa by Orpen) C3 57 01:58.3 1 1/4
4th 15 Air Spinel(JPN) C3 57 01:58.4 1/2 + NS
5th 16 Leontes(JPN) C3 57 01:58.4 DQ&P
6th 5 Mount Robson(JPN) C3 57 01:58.6 1 1/4
7th 9 Namura Shingun(JPN) C3 57 01:58.7 1/2
8th 14 Lord Quest(JPN) C3 57 01:59.1 2 1/2
9th 4 Admire Daio(JPN) C3 57 01:59.5 2 1/2
10th 7 Umbruch(JPN) C3 57 01:59.6 3/4
11th 13 Prophet(JPN) C3 57 01:59.8 1 1/4
12th 6 Miraieno Tsubasa(JPN) C3 57 01:59.9 1/2
13th 8 Mikki Rocket(JPN) C3 57 02:00.0 1/2
14th 10 Toa Raijin(JPN) C3 57 02:00.3 2
15th 1 Dreadnoughtus(JPN) C3 57 02:00.5 1 1/4
16th 2 George Cinq(JPN) C3 57 02:01.0 3
17th 12 Respect Earth(JPN) C3 57 02:02.6 10
18th 17 Admire Morale(JPN) C3 57 02:03.2 4

-- JRA report
http://japanracing.jp/_news2016/160417.html

Dee Majesty
http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001167517/
5-3-2-0

Dee Majesty was given 119 by JRA -- same rating as Duramente last year.

[tachyon]

Kitasan Black(JPN), 2012C. Black Tide(JPN) x Sugar Heart(JPN) by Sakura Bakushin O(JPN), fought back gamely to win the G1 Tenno Sho Spring 3200m turf at Kyoto on May 1st 2016.
He now stamps himself as the best stayer of the country achieving the Kikuka Sho (3000m) - Tenno Sho Spring (3200m)double.




-- replay (English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MilA1qoDqLM
1st 1 Kitasan Black(JPN) (Black Tide x Sugar Heart by Sakura Bakushin O) C4 58 03:15.3
2nd 3 Curren Mirotic(JPN) (Heart's Cry x Star Mie by A.P. Indy) G8 58 03:15.3 NS
3rd 8 Cheval Grand(JPN) (Heart's Cry x Halwa Sweet by Machiavellian) C4 58 03:15.5 1 1/4
4th 11 Tanta Alegria(JPN) C4 58 03:15.6 1/2
5th 9 Toho Jackal(JPN) H5 58 03:15.6 NK
6th 10 Albert(JPN) H5 58 03:15.8 1 1/4
7th 7 Fata Morgana(JPN) G8 58 03:15.8 NS
8th 5 Fame Game(JPN) H6 58 03:15.8 NK
9th 6 Admire Deus(JPN) H5 58 03:15.9 NK
10th 18 Reve Mistral(JPN) C4 58 03:16.0 1/2
11th 14 Satono Noblesse(JPN) H6 58 03:16.0 NK
12th 17 Gold Actor(JPN) H5 58 03:16.1 1/2
13th 2 Twinkle(JPN) H5 58 03:17.1 6
14th 16 Phantom Light(JPN) H7 58 03:17.7 3 1/2
15th 15 Sounds of Earth(JPN) H5 58 03:18.5 5
16th 13 Meiner Medalist(JPN) H8 58 03:18.5 NK
17th 12 Yamanin Voielactee(JPN) G5 58 03:18.8 1 3/4
18th 4 Tosen Reve(JPN) H8 58 03:19.4 3 1/2



His owner Saburo Kitajima sang ''Matsuri'' again.

Kitasan Black(JPN)
http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001155349/
10-6-1-2

[tachyon]

Maurice(JPN), 2011H. Screen Hero(JPN) x Mejiro Frances(JPN) by Carnegie(IRE), just cruised to win the G1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin on May 1st 2016 making it 7 races in a row (4 straight G1 victories).
That was the first start of 2016 for the reigning JRA Horse of the Year.





-- replay (English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPoIi8c6a1U
1 1 MAURICE(V605) (Screen Hero x Mejiro Frances by Carnegie) J Moreira 126 1.34.08
2 2 CONTENTMENT(S391) (Hussonet x Jemison by Commands) B Prebble 126 1.34.41
3 12 PACKING PINS(S386) (Pins x Splashing Out by O'Reilley) G Mosse 126 1.34.52
4 5 BEAUTY ONLY(S411) N Callan 126 1.34.59
5 8 SAFETY CHECK(V636) J McDonald 126 1.34.68
6 4 BEAUTY FLAME(S117) M Chadwick 126 1.34.84
7 7 GUN PIT(S183) C Y Ho 126 1.34.95
8 3 GIANT TREASURE(T148) O Peslier 126 1.34.97
9 9 REWARDING HERO(N376) T Berry 126 1.34.97
10 10 DUNDONNELL(S110) N Rawiller 126 1.35.02
11 11 SECRET WEAPON(S217) T Angland 126 1.35.04
12 6 BOW CREEK(V635) Z Purton 126 1.36.79


Maurice(JPN)
http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001138240/
14-9-0-1

of side note....

Maurice is a successor of the Mejiro Bokujo's family (''Mejiro'' went out of business in 2011)
1st dam: Mejiro Frances(JPN)
2nd dam: Mejiro Monterey(JPN)
3rd dam: Mejiro Quincey(JPN)
4th dam: Mejiro Bosatsu(JPN)
5th dam: Mejiro Queen(JPN)

[Starine]

Maurice is a serious racehorse. Look out, Europe.

[lurkey mclurker]

What a great day for Japan racing, with Kitasan Black & Maurice having impressive wins! <3 Thanks as always for posting the replays, tachyon, I just got too tired to stay up last night.

[tachyon]

What a great day for Japan racing, with Kitasan Black & Maurice having impressive wins! <3 Thanks as always for posting the replays, tachyon, I just got too tired to stay up last night.

Next Stop ---> Victoria Mile(G1) (May 15) : Shonan Pandora, Mikki Queen, Smart Layer, Rouge Buck, Let's Go Donki, Queens Ring....

Maurice is a serious racehorse. Look out, Europe.

I would love to see him stretch out to 10F+, if he stays in Japan.
He already won the Yasuda Kinen (1600m) last year.
Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) can be a real dream race.
He may still ship to Europe after that.

[tachyon]

I've just read this.

''Tales from the Crib: Lani''

https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/ne ... -crib-lani

Thanks Kellie Reilly (@Brisnet.com) for posting the wonderful write-up!!
I'm sure that many Japanese fans and Sunday Silence fans appreciate it.
I won't believe that Lani can finish in the top ten in the Kentucky Derby.
But we hope that he will just enjoy his adventure at Churchill Downs!!

[tachyon]

Here's another wonderful article on Lani(USA).
This one is by Amanda Duckworth from Thoroughbredracing.com.

''Why Derby hope Lani was known as 'Jaws' during his Kentucky upbringing''

https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/arti ... upbringing

These picks (baby Lani, Heavenly Romance with her 2016 Awesome Again colt) are great, too!!

Go Lani!

[tachyon]

Here's an interesting quote from the Japanese racing magazine ''Gallop'' this week.

Koji Maeda (owner) on Lani(USA)

My dream?

I will stand Lani in the US after his retirement from racing.
And I will send some Kizuna daughters* from Japan and make them visit Lani.
The Lani – Kizuna cross forms Sunday Silence 4 x 3, which will be great.
My dream is to race these babies in the US.

(translated by 'tachyon')

*Koji Maeda owned 2013 Japanese Derby winner Kizuna(JPN) who starts his stallion career at Shadai Stallion Station this year. Kizuna is a 1/2 brother to Sunday Break(JPN)(Forty Niner) who raced in the US and now stands at stud in France. Koji Maeda owned Sunday Break, too.

Lani(USA) 2013C. Tapit(USA) x Heavenly Romance(JPN) by Sunday Silence(USA)

@NYTsports
http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001194505/

Kizuna(JPN) 2010H. Deep Impact(JPN) x Catequil(CAN) by Storm Cat(USA)

http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001120570/

I now strongly hope that Lani will run huge to make Koji Maeda's dream come true!!!

[tachyon]

Here's the banner sent from the Japanese fans at Tottori Prefecture** where Lani grew up.


posted yesterday by Eishu Maruuchi on twitter

** Koji Maeda's North Hills has a training facility in Tottori Prefecture.

[Treve]

I'm definitely rooting for Lani, he's my sentimental pick this year.

[tachyon]

I'm definitely rooting for Lani, he's my sentimental pick this year.

We saw Ski Captain(USA) in 1995.
That Storm Bird grey colt, the runner-up to Fuji Kiseki(JPN) in the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes in 1994, finished 14th in the Kentucky Derby under Yutaka Take.
So it took 21 years for Japan to find a new contender for the Roses.
I hope that this is the beginning of a new era.

[Treve]

I'm definitely rooting for Lani, he's my sentimental pick this year.

We saw Ski Captain(USA) in 1995.
That Storm Bird grey colt, the runner-up to Fuji Kiseki(JPN) in the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes in 1994, finished 14th in the Kentucky Derby under Yutaka Take.
So it took 21 years for Japan to find a new contender for the Roses.
I hope that this is the beginning of a new era.

I am not hoping too much, so I won't be heartbroken if he plods to the finish but it would be fantastic if he could usher in a new era.
Gambata ne, Lani-kun!

Don't remember Ski Captain... I was 3 years old

I'll be happy if he has a good showing either way, it would be great if he continued to run in the US.

[tachyon]

Lani beat my expectations!

I believe that we will see him run in the Belmont Stakes next!!

[Treve]

Lani beat my expectations!

I believe that we will see him run in the Belmont Stakes next!!

Would be great if he could win it for his damsire And yes he did better than I expected, I'm satisfied though rather surprised with that extremely wide turn.
But hm let's see.. first Japanese horse to try got up to 14th... Lani pushed that spot by 5. Next one will be... 4th? Okay so we need two more Japan-based horses to see a JPN KY Winner

[tachyon]

Eishu Maruuchi (Lani's groom) on twitter (in Japanese):

''We will head to Belmont on Monday where we will be based for the Belmont Stakes.
The Preakness still remains a possibility but we can ship from there. It will take only 6 hours from Belmont.''

[Starine]

Lani beat my expectations!

I believe that we will see him run in the Belmont Stakes next!!

And I think he would have been a little closer even if he had switched leads down the stretch!

[Treve]

Lani beat my expectations!

I believe that we will see him run in the Belmont Stakes next!!

And I think he would have been a little closer even if he had switched leads down the stretch!

I would say he could've gotten up for 6th without getting bumped and pushed so wide. Had he switched leads maybe he would have edged out more, he was one of the few horses still running at the end and the only one still passing others.
I don't think the Preakness would be a good spot for him at this point, I think he deserves some R&R and to come in strong for the Belmont.

[tachyon]

Major Emblem(JPN), 2013F. Daiwa Major(JPN) x Catchy Title(JPN) by Opera House(GB), won the G1 NHK Mile wire-to-wire under Christophe Lemaire at Tokyo on May 9th 2016 beating the boys.
The champion juvenile filly was unable to meet expectations when heavy favorite in the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) finishing fourth. But she became the fourth female here to win the NHK Mile follwoing Pink Cameo(JPN)(2007), Rhein Kraft(JPN)(2005) and Seeking the Pearl(USA)(1997) as she returned to her front running style.

-- replay (english)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj61N4idhkA
1st 4 Major Emblem(JPN)(Daiwa Major x Catchy Title by Opera House) F3 55 01:32.8
2nd 5 Lord Quest(JPN)(Matsurida Gogh x Matsurida Waltz by Chief Bearhart) C3 57 01:32.9 3/4
3rd 18 Rainbow Line(JPN)(Stay Gold x Regenbogen by French Deputy) C3 57 01:32.9 NK
4th 10 Dantsu Prius(JPN) C3 57 01:33.1 1 1/4
5th 7 Tosho Drafter(JPN) C3 57 01:33.1 HD
6th 12 Hakusan Rudolf(JPN) C3 57 01:33.1 HD
6th 17 Blanc Bonheur(JPN) F3 55 01:33.1 DH
8th 14 Brave Smash(JPN) C3 57 01:33.1 NS
9th 15 Stormy Sea(JPN) C3 57 01:33.3 1 1/4
10th 9 Shadow Approach(JPN) C3 57 01:33.3 NS
11th 8 Immortal(JPN) C3 57 01:33.4 NK
12th 1 Shuji(JPN) C3 57 01:33.4 HD
13th 2 Eclat Millenaire(JPN) F3 55 01:33.4 NK
14th 16 Kaneno Iro(JPN) C3 57 01:33.5 NK
15th 11 Personnalite(JPN) F3 55 01:33.6 3/4
16th 3 Urban Kid(JPN) C3 57 01:33.7 1/2
17th 6 Tizona(JPN) C3 57 01:33.8 NK
18th 13 Sigerunokogirizame(JPN) C3 57 01:35.4 10




Major Emblem(JPN)
http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001170864/
7-5-1-0

Daiwa Major(JPN) 2001H. Sunday Silence(USA) x Scarlet Bouquet(JPN) by Northern Taste(CAN)

standing at Shadai Stallion Station
http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000725485/

[tachyon]

Lani beat my expectations!

I believe that we will see him run in the Belmont Stakes next!!

And I think he would have been a little closer even if he had switched leads down the stretch!

I would say he could've gotten up for 6th without getting bumped and pushed so wide. Had he switched leads maybe he would have edged out more, he was one of the few horses still running at the end and the only one still passing others.
I don't think the Preakness would be a good spot for him at this point, I think he deserves some R&R and to come in strong for the Belmont.

I agree with you...
But Lani is a go for the Preakness (as his groom Eishu Maruchi stated so on twitter today).
Yutaka Take will retain the mount on Lani in the Preakness (He had been booked to ride Red Avancer in the G1 Japanese Oaks at Tokyo on May 22nd. But he canceled it today).
Maruuchi says it's his owner Koji Maeda's decision and Lani is fine and fresh even after the transfer to Belmont Park.
I would guess that Koji Maeda, a BIG US racing fan, is really enthuastic about running his horse in the all three TC races.
(Needless to say, Lani is going to be the first Japanese-based horse to run in the Preakness Stakes!!)
This must be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for a Japanese based owner & horse under the current TC race point system.

Lani after landing at New York