Redentor Leads Youth Brigade Home In Tenno Sho (Spring)

Youth was served in the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) May 4 at Kyoto Racecourse as 4-year-olds, led by race-favorite Redentor (JPN), swept the first four placings in the longest race on the Japan Racing Association calendar. Redentor, with visiting rider Damian Lane in the irons, broke alertly for the first run down the backstretch and took station along the rail about six back in the 15-horse field. He raced in that position through the first lap of the race and into the final turn. Lane eased Redentor out through the final bend and positioned him for a sprint home outside tiring rivals. He gained the lead inside the 200-meter mark and fended off a challenge from Byzantine Dream (JPN) to win by a head. Shonan la Punta (JPN) was third and second-favorite Sunrise Earth (JPN) finished fourth. Redentor finished the 3,200 meters (about two miles) on good to firm turf in 3:14, 1.5 seconds shy of the race and course record established in 2017 by the formidable Kitasan Black (JPN). Last year's winner, T O Royal (JPN), was not able to defend his crown while recovering from a leg issue, leaving it to 2023 winner Justin Palace (JPN) and last year's runner-up, Blow the Horn (JPN), to carry the banner for the older generation. The 6-year-olds finished sixth and eighth, respectively. "I'm very privileged to ride in this special race and win it," said Lane, whose visitor's license was effective just the day before the race. "I wanted to get the horse in a good position and good rhythm and get him to relax because he can get a little keen in the races. "He was traveling very strong at the third corner, and I had to be patient and wait and get him to the outside to give him a clear running." Lane rode Tastiera (JPN) to victory a week earlier for the same owner, Carrot Farm, in the QE II Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong. While many of the relative youngsters stepped up in class and distance in the Tenno Sho, the eager Japanese fans took their cue from Redentor's last two races. After starting his career with four wins from six starts, none longer than 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles), he blossomed last October in the 3,000-meter (about 1 7/8 miles) Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1), finishing a solid second. If any further confirmation were needed of his ability to run on, he provided it while winning his 4-year-old debut Feb. 22 in the Diamond Stakes (G3) at Tokyo Racecourse, a 3,400-meters (about 2 1/8 miles) slog. Although the Tenno Sho (Spring) is the longest grade 1 race of the year in Japan, Redentor's stamina marks him as a rising star among stayers even at slightly shorter distances and a potential candidate to chase some of Japan's unrealized dreams overseas. "I think he's still relatively young in the mind and immature, and so he's learning all the time, which means that he can continue to race at the top level over the next couple of years," Lane said. His connections also know their way around top-level global competition. He was bred at Northern Farm and carries the green-and-white silks of Carrot Farm. His trainer, Tetsuya Kimura, handled superstar Equinox (JPN), winner of six straight grade/group 1 races including the Japan Cup (G1) and the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T). The Northern Farm-bred Redentor is by Rulership (JPN). His dam, Corcovado (JPN), is by Stay Gold (JPN), who in turn was sired by Sunday Silence.