PDF(175kb)

Lei Papale Claims Wire-to-Wire Win in Osaka Hai

Fourth favorite Lei Papale demonstrated her strength and extended her winning streak to six since her three-year-old debut in January while capturing her first G1 title in her first attempt at the highest level against a strong field that included multiple G1 winners. She is only the third in JRA history to claim a G1 title for older horses (four-year-old and up) unbeaten, after Fine Motion (2002 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup) and Chrysoberyl (2019 Champions Cup). Trainer Tomokazu Takano picked up his third career JRA-G1 title, his latest being the 2015 Japan Cup with Shonan Pandora, while jockey Yuga Kawada whose latest G1 win was just last week in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen with Danon Smash scored his 17th JRA-G1 title with the win.

Lei Papale was a fraction slow out of the gate outside race favorite Contrail but used her speed to quickly move forward and assume command. Cruising effortlessly on the rain-soddened track and timed 59.8 seconds over the first half of the 2,000-meter distance, the lightly built filly shifted out from the rail for better footing and continued to flee away from her foes, finding another gear in the last 100 meters to pull away to a dominating four-length victory.

“I had always believed in her outstanding talent since her debut but of course it was a tough ask this time against a top class after registering out first grade-race victory (in December). She felt good during the post parade and she was able to jump into her rhythm throughout the race without being pressed. I was able to shift her out without interfering the horses coming from behind for her stretch run as there was still plenty room between her and the rest of the field at the top of the stretch. And to still have the strength to find another gear over the turf condition today—she is an exceptional filly to keep her speed right to the end. Now that she’s a G1 winner, expectations will suddenly be quite high from now on, but I hope to be able bring out her best in each race,” commented Yuga Kawada.

Mozu Bello sat off the pace, fourth from last just off the rails and with the race favorite in view. The sixth favorite gradually made headway and followed Contrail who advanced along the outside, joining Gran Alegria in chasing the leader approaching the final corner. Turning wide for a clear stretch run, the son of Deep Brillante demonstrated an impressive turn of speed to outrun both Contrail and Gran Alegria while unable to threaten the winner.

Other Horses:
4th: (12) Gran Alegria—sat in 5th, advanced with Contrail after 3rd corner, sustained bid and passed Salios but soon overtaken by Mozu Bello and Contrail
5th: (2) Salios—saved ground around 3rd, chased leader along rails until 100m marker, weakened thereafter
6th: (10) Cadenas—hugged rails in 12th, showed 3rd fastest late kick, belatedly
7th: (3) Ardently—raced in 8th, boxed in turning final corner, passed tired rivals
8th: (4) Bravas—settled in 11th, found little room at final corner, showed brief effort
9th: (13) Admire Virgo—traveled 3-wide in 7th, failed to respond and reach contention
10th: (5) Persian Knight—checked at break, trailed in far rear, circled wide, never fired
11th: (9) Crescendo Love—took economic trip in 6th, showed little at stretch
12th: (6) Wagnerian—tracked leaders in 3rd or 4th, outrun after 3rd corner although driven
13th: (11) Happy Grin—stalked leader in second, faded after 3rd corner

THE 65TH OSAKA HAI (G1)
4-year-olds & up, 2,000 meters (about 10 furlongs), turf, right-handed
Sunday, April 4, 2021           Hanshin Racecourse        11th Race         Post time: 15:40
Total prize money: ¥ 256,500,000 (about US$ 2,443,000 <US$1=¥105>)
4-y-o & up: 57kg (about 126 lbs),
2kg allowance for Fillies & Mares, 1kg allowance for Southern Hemisphere-bred born in 2017
Course Record: 1:57.2         Race Record: 1:58.2 [Suave Richard (JPN, by Heart’s Cry), 2018]
Safety factor: 16 runners     Going: Yielding     Weather: Rainy

Turnover for the Race alone: ¥ 16,278,586,800       Turnover for the Day: ¥ 27,324,112,500       Attendance: 3,083

Winner= 6 starts, 6 wins / Added money: ¥ 137,814,000 / Career earnings: ¥ 226,517,000

* Osaka Hai (G1)

The Osaka Hai, renewing its name in 2017 from the familiarly known Sankei Osaka Hai, was established in 1957 as a handicap race open to runners of four years of age and upwards run over 1,800m at Hanshin Racecourse in March. After the distance was extended to 2,000m in 1972, the date was moved to one week earlier to the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) in 1981. The race was given G2 status in conjunction with the new grading system in 1984, opened its doors to foreign competitors in 2003 and was upgraded to G1 in 2017. The winner of the race will automatically earn a starting position in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1, 2,000m) held in September.
Attracting strong contenders by serving as a prep race for G1 spring races for older horses such as the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1, 3,200m) and the Takarazuka Kinen (G1, 2,200m), many Osaka Hai champions have gone on to achieve G1 successes; Meisho Samson (JPN, by Opera House) in 2007, Hiruno d’Amour (JPN, by Manhattan Cafe) in 2011, two-time Horse of the Year Kitasan Black (JPN, by Black Tide) in 2017, all went on to capture the Tenno Sho (Spring) that followed; and Dream Journey (JPN, by Stay Gold) in 2009 landed his Takarazuka Kinen victory two starts later. Last year’s victor Lucky Lilac (JPN, by Orfevre) went on to defend her Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, 2,200m) title last November. Winners who also showed extraordinary accomplishments include 2008 champion Daiwa Scarlet (JPN, by Agnes Tachyon), legendary 2013 winner Orfevre (JPN, by Stay Gold) and 2014 victor Kizuna (JPN, by Deep Impact).
Last year’s Triple Crown winner and Best Three-Year-Old Colt Contrail commenced the current season with this race after finishing second to Almond Eye (JPN, by Lord Kanaloa) in the Japan Cup (G1, 2,400m, Nov.29) last year. 2020 Best Sprinter or Miler Gran Alegria and 2019 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1, 1,600m) winner Salios, who capped off their 2020 season finishing first and fifth, respectively, in the Mile Championship (G1, 1,600m, Nov.22), also made their seasonal debut in this race. Other key runners included; four-year-old filly Lei Papale, the Challenge Cup (G3, 2,000m, Dec.5) victor and undefeated in all five career starts; Admire Virgo, two-time 2,000m-listed winner who came off a 10th in the Nikkei Shinshun Hai (G2, 2,200m, Jan.17); Wagnerian, 2018 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1, 2,400m) winner who finished fifth in the Kyoto Kinen (G2, 2,200m, Feb.14); as well as 2017 Mile Championship winner Persian Knight and Bravas who were eighth and 10th, respectively, in the Kinko Sho (G2, 2,000m, Mar.14).