The Japanese Grand Prix is closing an old year with a look forward to a new year—and beyond.
The Hopeful Stakes (G1) race on December 28 at Nakayama Racecourse not only showcases the top 2-year-olds pointing to next year’s classics but this year’s final race for the horses older, Arima Kinen (G1) on Christmas Day, saw 3-year-old first and second place, beating some of Japan’s older stars.
Overall, Nakayama Racecourse held a year-end show that promises good things for 2023.
feces ended a great season with a 2 and a half win at the Arima Kinen, the final highest level test of the year for kids 3 and up. With Christophe Lemaire on board, the 3-year-old son of Black Kitasan rose from a stalking position to take the lead back home and easily made it past the final 200 meters of the 2,500 meters (about 12 1/2 seconds).
The foal, bred by Northern Farms and racing in a Silk Racing blue and red polka dot shirt, finished a season when it finished second in both Satsuki Sho (Guineas-G1 Japan 2000) and Tokyo Yushun (Japan Derby- G1), then, after five months of adulthood, scored victories in Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) on October 30.
“What happens twice happens three times,” Lemaire said cheerfully. “I won the Arima Kinen with the cry of the heart and Satono Diamond, both on Christmas Day and I’m really happy to be able to win the Christmas Day race again. We were able to get off to a good start and the horse wanted to run so I hugged him and he reacted strongly when I took him out.”
Equally encouraging for those looking to the future is the daring run of Lake Boldog3 year old baby Screen Hero pony. He finished second out of the last 16 for most of the race, turning the widest in the final turn and overtaking all but the winner. He finished 1 1/2 lengths before improving Maurice kid Geraldina in third place.
Following them are the likes of last year’s winner Arima Kinen, Efforia, the fifth reporter; Winner Tokyo Yushun 2021 Owner ; and recent Japan Cup (G1) winners Vela Azul. The title holders got their start for the first time since finishing 11th in the October 2 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).
Lemaire noted Equinox’s progress after his mid-year break.
“Even though he hasn’t matured in the spring campaign, he has become really strong since this fall and I look forward to his performance next year,” he said.
The contest, called Hopeful Stakes, at an altitude of 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 mile) ends the 1st grade season in Japan with a test for 2-year-olds that can be seen in the spring in Classic races. The race has only been in its seventh as class 1 but has already produced a number of champions. The most recent is the 2019 Hope Champion streaks went on to win the Triple Crown and came in second almond eyes in an impressive finish at the Japan Cup that year.
Last year’s winner, killer ability, failed to deliver on their promise, finishing 13th in Guineas and sixth in the Derby. 2020 winner Danon boyalso made little impact in the classics but finished 2022 with a runner-up in the Mile Championship (G1) at Hanshin and the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1).
Gastrique enters the Hope Round on December 28 thanks to a win at Two Nisai Stakes
The nominees for this year’s renewal include first, third and fourth place finishers from Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes (G2), stomach, heart symphonyand Dura Erende. Also nominated are the first three finishers from Radio Nikkei Hai Kyoto Nisai Stakes (G3), Green Gruner, Top knifeand Württemburg.
Both Contrail and Danon the Kid earned hopeful wins at Tokyo Sports Two.
