Star Anise outran her sprint pedigree to win the 1-mile Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) Dec. 14 by 1 1/4 lengths, setting hopes she can handle the distances of the 2026 Classics.
Star Anise got her first win at 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs) in her second start in July and finished second in her latest effort, the 1,400-meter (about 7-furlong) Chukyo Nisai Stakes (G3) against males in August.
Those races seemed to fit her pedigree. Her sire, Drefong, was a champion sprinter for trainer Bob Baffert, winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) in 2016 to highlight his career. Her dam, Epice Arome, was fast enough to relegate legendary sprinter Lord Kanaloa to second in the 2012 Centaur Stakes (G2).
In the Juvenile Fillies, it was not as much about speed as position and stamina, especially climbing the incline toward the finish.
Jockey Kohei Matsuyama broke cleanly from a middle gate but found himself running in the middle of the 18-filly field down the backstretch. He swung out wide into the stretch, hit the front some 100 meters out, and Star Anise willingly repelled all challengers, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over Garavogue.
The favorite, Alankar, had won two previous starts, each by more than 3 lengths, but was left too much to do late in the Juvenile Fillies. After trailing the field, she made a quick run into contention but was widest of all with too much ground to cover and finished an improving fifth.
"Although it was her first time at a mile distance, she gave me the impression that she'd be just fine after her last start over 1,400 meters," Matsuyama said. "We were nearly stuck inside early in the race, but with a big stride like hers, I wanted her path to be clear and chose the outside route, which worked out just as I had imagined. She responded beautifully and had enough in the tank to put in another effort in the end."
Star Anise was bred by Northern Farm and carries the silks of Katsumi Yoshida. Tomokazu Takano trains and now has the task of determining how far the filly can go. Before the race, he said, "I don't have the impression that she's restricted to sprints."
Matsuyama wasted no time in predicting good things and lobbying for a spot in Star Anise's future exploits.
"The 3-year-old triple crown awaits her with expectations next season," the jockey said. "I just hope that she will arrive there safe and sound and it would be great if I can partner her again."
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