Almond Eye blazed down the Tokyo Racecourse stretch and into the history books Nov. 29, winning the Japan Cup (G1) for the second time while notching her ninth top-level victory in her final race.
While the Japan Cup ushered out one of Japan's greats, it also opened the door to the future for this season's undefeated Triple Crown winners, Contrail and the filly Daring Tact, who finished second and third, respectively. With Almond Eye, who won the 2018 fillies' Triple Crown, they made up a unique trio—three Triple Crown winners in the same race.
Almond Eye had her work cut out for her entering the long stretch. She and the rest of the field were chasing the 2018 runner-up, Kiseki, who had a lead of 20 lengths or more down the backstretch and still was far in front with 500 meters to run.
As the field spread out for the uphill run, Kiseki began to shorten stride and jockey Christophe Lemaire unleashed Almond Eye's best weapon, a late turn of foot. Closing swiftly, she was in front comfortably inside the final 50 meters and won by 1 1/4 lengths.
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Contrail and Daring Tact both rallied from farther back with Contrail securing second and Daring Tact finishing just a neck behind him. The 2019 Japan Cup runner-up, Curren Bouquetd'or, and 2019 Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1) winner Glory Vase were a nose and a neck farther back in fourth and fifth, respectively. Kiseki faded to finish eighth, and the only foreign entrant, Way To Paris, was 10th.
Almond Eye heads off to her second career holding the record for most Japan Racing Association grade 1 victories with eight, plus a win in the 2019 Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1) at Meydan Racecourse.
"Since this was her final start, it was very special for me, and I'm thrilled we were able to win," said Lemaire, Japan's leading rider. "The pace was just right for her, and she responded well in the stretch. The others closing in on us didn't worry me at all."
Lemaire and Almond Eye's trainer, Sakae Kunieda, both put a positive spin on Almond Eye's retirement.
"Almond Eye is a perfect mare and doesn't have any weak points," Lemaire said. "Her career as a racehorse ended today, but I look forward to riding her children."
Kunieda added: "We did feel pressure, but today, all we wanted was for her to come back safe and sound. The victory is such a bonus. We couldn't be happier. She has given us so much excitement and joy, and it has been fulfilling to be a part of her career. It would be great if I could be involved in training her colt or filly someday."
Almond Eye is the cream of the first foal crop by star sprinter Lord Kanaloa out of the Sunday Silence mare Fusaichi Pandora. She was bred by Northern Racing and raced for Silk Racing.
The determined finishes by Contrail and Daring Tact promise new heroes for the coming years.
Contrail, a Deep Impact colt from the Unbridled's Song mare Rhodochrosite, certainly was not embarrassed while seeing his undefeated string end at seven. He has four grade 1 wins, with the 2019 Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Nakayama added to the Triple Crown victories.
Contrail's jockey, Yuichi Fukunaga, said before the race the Japan Cup would be a gauge of his colt's ability at this level.
"I've never ridden Almond Eye or Daring Tact, so I can't well judge where they're strong or weak," Fukunaga said. "But Contrail's best point is his acceleration and his mental power. He has yet to go full out. He has a kick we haven't even seen yet."
Though her undefeated streak ended at five, Haruki Sugiyama-trained Daring Tact, by 2014 Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia, also answered the class test.
No plans were announced for either 3-year-old. The only logical race left for them this year would be the Arima Kinen (Grand Prix, G1) at Nakayama Dec. 27.
