Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1) - Preview

Al Ain

Mikki Swallow

Kiseki

Satono Arthur

Satono Chronicle

My Style

Win Ganador

Kyoto Racecourse stages its second Grade 1 in as many weeks on Sunday, Oct. 22, and after the 3-year-old fillies slogged it out in the wet last Sunday in the Shuka Sho, the track gets ready for the 78th running of the Kikuka Sho, the final leg of the Triple Crown, run over 3,000 meters on the outer turf course. Once again, there will be no Triple Crown winner this year (there have only been seven in Japanese racing history), as this year’s Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner, Rey de Oro, swerves the race for a tilt at the Japan Cup later in the year, while Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner, Al Ain, bids to make it two out of three by taking on the Kikuka Sho.

The race has attracted 24 nominations for a maximum field of 18 runners, and some progressive colts are in the mix to make sure Al Ain doesn’t have things all his own way. The race, which was first run in 1938, is run over one and a half circuits of the outer course, with a homestraight of 404 meters, the final test of a horse’s stamina to see out the trip. All colts will carry a set weight of 57kgs. Total prize money for the Kikuka Sho runs to nearly 250 million yen, with 115 million going to the winner. It’s to be hoped the ground firms up by the weekend, so the runners get to have a crack at the record time for the race, 3:01.0 seconds set by the remarkable Toho Jackal in 2014.

Some of the lead-up races to this year’s Kikuka Sho have included the Grade 2 Sapporo Kinen in August, Grade 2 Asahi Hai St. Lite Kinen, and Grade 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai, the latter two races both run in September. First favorites have been coming off pretty well in the race, with five winning in the last 10 years.

The Kikuka Sho will be Race 11 on the card at Kyoto on Sunday, with a post time of 15:40 local time. Here’s a look at some of the runners expected to head the betting market:

Al Ain: The Deep Impact sired colt has done little wrong in his career with four wins from seven starts, and has only been unplaced twice, once when he was fifth in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), just 0.3 seconds off the winner. His trainer, Yasutoshi Ikee, won the race last year with Satono Diamond, and holds a strong hand again for this year’s race. Assistant trainer at the stable, Hiroshi Kanetake, said of Al Ain: “He ran well last time in the St. Lite Kinen, and he got to put in the kind of race he’s suited to. Returning after his break and putting in such a good run, he showed his sharpness, and that he’s capable of more improvement.”

Mikki Swallow: A Select Sale purchase in 2014, the Northern Farm bred Mikki Swallow was an eye-catching winner of the Grade 2 Asahi Hai St. Lite Kinen most recently. He has only run as a 3-year-old, and two of his three wins have come over 2, 200 meters. Jockey Norihiro Yokoyama will be looking for some compensation after Aerolithe’s defeat last week, as will trainer Takanori Kikuzawa, who is looking to notch just his second JRA Grade 1. The trainer said, “Two starts back he put in a good effort, but couldn’t quite match the winner, and it was a good run up against the older horses. With that experience, he went on to win the St. Lite Kinen, but next up won’t be easy.”

Kiseki: The dark bay colt by Rulership is seemingly rocketing up through the ranks. He’s only been unplaced once in seven starts, and although it’s his first Grade 1, he has the formidable combination of jockey Mirco Demuro and trainer Katsuhiko Sumii behind him. In his latest race, he finished second to Rey de Oro over 2,400 meters in the Grade 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai at Hanshin in September. Assistant trainer Yasuyuki Tsujino said, “He was second in the Kobe Shimbun Hai, and he had to be patient during the race with things tight on the inside, but he really ran on well in the end. It was a good experience in the race overall. He’s come on a lot since the spring, especially mentally.”

Satono Arthur: The Deep Impact colt is another from trainer Yasutoshi Ikee’s stable, and yet another interesting prospect for owner Hajime Satomi. The colt has raced just six times, has notched up two wins, and has only been unplaced once, when finishing 10th in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). His big race jockey will be Yuga Kawada, and assistant trainer, Hiroshi Kanetake said: “He was a bit excited last time and ran freely for a while, but settled later and ran well in the end. He’s developed since the spring and gained weight, and he should be in top condition come race time.”

Satono Chronicle: With the same owner and trainer as Satono Arthur, this Heart’s Cry colt is coming off a third place finish in the Grade 2 Asahi Hai St. Lite Kinen most recently. His two career wins have both come at Kyoto, and he’s another horse who’s only been unplaced once in seven career starts. Assistant trainer, Hiroshi Kanetake stated: “Things got a bit tight for him last time out, which didn’t help him so much. He’s come out of the race fine, however, and things have been good with him in training since.”

My Style: Another colt by Heart’s Cry, My Style will be taking on his third Grade 1 this time, attempting to improve on his fourth-place finish in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). He’s coming off a seventh most recently in the Grade 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai. An assistant trainer at the stable of trainer Mitsugu Kon said: “It was a fast run race last time, two seconds or so faster than the Derby, and after his layoff he couldn’t quite adjust to things. All’s been good with him at the stable since that run.”