The Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger-G1) Oct. 22 at Kyoto Racecourse is a rubber match between the winners of the first two legs of the Japanese Triple Crown but with a good chance the title could wind up shared among three top 3-year-olds.
What better tip-off than the result of the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1)? In that May 28 race at Tokyo Racecourse, five horses came to the wire in a blanket finish with Tastiera a neck in front of Sol Oriens, winner of the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas, G1).
They meet again, along with two others from that frantic finish, Nocking Point and Heart's Concerto, in a field of 17 for the Kikuka Sho as the distance expands from the Tokyo Yushun's 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) to 3,000 meters (about 1 7/8 miles).
"I'd like some revenge for the Derby," said Sol Oriens' rider, Takeshi Yokoyama, after his colt got the 14 gate for the final classic. "It was a pity about the result last time but there were no problems with him after it and it was a good enough result to look to this next race with him."
Sol Oriens, by Kitasan Black out of the Motivator mare Skia, had a tune-up for the race, finishing second in Asahi Hai St. Lite Kinen (G2) Sept. 18 at Nakayama Racecourse, albeit at just 2,200 meters (About 1 3/8 miles).
Tastiera, a Satono Crown colt, has not raced since the Derby win but trainer Noriyuki Hori said that could work in his favor.
"It was a very hot summer, and I think it's to his advantage that he's coming back for a race just now, even though that wasn't the original plan," Hori said.
Joao Moreira, who has been riding in top races around the globe since giving up full-time duties in Hong Kong, takes Tastiera's reins on a short-term license.
"He's a Derby-winning horse, so he certainly has ability," the 'Magic Man' said. "He's relaxed in training, and all's good with him, so I can feel confident."
Nocking Point, who finished fifth in the Derby, beaten less than one length, returned to action Sept. 3 with a victory in the Niigata Kinen (G3) at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) and jockey Hiroshi Kitamura reported the son of Maurice has "been looking good these past two weeks and is in good condition." The 3,000 meters remains a question mark.
Heart's Concerto, third in the Derby, certainly has claims simply on the basis of the blue blood flowing through his veins with Sunday Silence (via Heart's Cry) on the top and Unbridled's Song beneath.
He could only manage a fifth-place finish in his return race, the Kobe Shimbun Hai (G2) Sept. 24 but trainer Ryo Takei remains confident.
"He's much better for having his last race, even though he was a bit tired after it," Takei said of Heart's Concerto. "His heart and lungs are strong and the extra distance of the race this time will suit him better than the Derby."
There are live prospects elsewhere in the field.
Satono Glanz posted a course-record time of 2:23.5 while winning the Kobe Shimbun Hai at 2,400 meters at Hanshin Racecourse Sept. 24—his fourth win from his last five starts. The loss, however, was an 11th-place showing in the Derby.
"The horse is better than he was in the spring," said Satono Glanz's trainer, Yasuo Tomomichi.
Coming from the same race are Savona, beaten just a head, and Phantom Thief, who finished third. Phantom Thief also was third in the Satsuki Sho.
For those who follow jockeys, a popular theme in Asian racing, Japanese legend Yutaka Take rides Phantom Thief. Yuga Kawada handles Satono Glanz and Christophe Lemaire is on Durezza, who has won four straight races but makes his first graded start and drew gate 17. Kawada and Lemaire are locked in a tight race for the jockey premiership with Kawada holding a 127-125 lead in wins.
The race starts on the backstretch of the Kyoto course and continues right-handed around the sweeping turn of the outer turf course for the first of two runs down the stretch.
