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Bellagio Opera Defends Osaka Hai Title in Course-Record Win

Second favorite Bellagio Opera claimed his second G1 title in this year’s Osaka Hai in his first appearance of the season, renewing the track record to 1:56.2, and has become the first horse to capture the title consecutively. After the victory in last year’s Osaka Hai, the son of Lord Kanaloa had been winless but showed consistent performances finishing third in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1, 2,200m) and fourth in the year-end Arima Kinen (G1, 2,500m). Trainer Hiroyuki Uemura registered his third JRA-G1 title following last year’s Hanshin Juvenile Fillies with Arma Veloce while jockey Kazuo Yokoyama scored his fourth JRA-G1 victory and his first since last year’s Osaka Hai with this horse.

Bellagio Opera made his trademark good break and rushed toward the rails close behind the race favorite in fourth down the backstretch while Desierto set a fast pace and extended his lead by five lengths. As the field tightened up at the last bend, the son of Lord Kanaloa still in fourth quickened entering the stretch, unleashed a furious drive to tackle the frontrunners and took command at the 200-meter marker, pulling clear to land a length-win.

“As always, he broke remarkably. I expected a fast pace, but being able to sit in an ideal position and the horse finding his rhythm were definitely the key factors in today’s win. Just as last year, I’m full of gratitude. Although the horse hasn’t been able to show his true form since last year’s victory, I’m hoping that this will mark a new start for him and that he’ll be able to demonstrate that he still has a lot of potential,” commented jockey Kazuo Yokoyama.

Breaking from a wide stall, fourth pick Lord Del Rey took a wide trip in mid-pack and shifted farther out rounding the final turn before showcasing a resounding closing kick in the final furlong to pick off all but the winner for second.

Eighth choice Yoho Lake was off a bit slow and trailed second from the rear on the rails. Although still struggling in 11th 200 meters out, the seven-year-old stormed down the lane with the tied-fastest finishing speed to mow down his rivals and deny Ecoro Walz the third-place trophy at the wire by the narrowest margin.

Forwardly placed after a sharp break, race favorite Sixpence settled near the eventual winner in third, but although coming into the straight in good striking position, struggled to find his best stride and finished seventh.

Other Horses:
4th: (14) Ecoro Walz—ran around 10th, quickened between horses, nosed out by Yoho Lake just before wire
5th: (2) Ho O Biscuits—chased leader in 2nd, took brief lead at stretch, weakened in last 100m
6th: (6) Justin Palace—sat wide in 7th, driven after 3rd corner, failed to threaten top finishers
8th: (1) Boldog Hos—hugged rails around 11th, improved position between horses but needed more
8th: (9) Cosmo Kuranda—settled around 5th, lacked needed kick
10th: (4) Sol Oriens—trailed in far rear, angled out, showed belated charge
11th: (3) Ravel—saved ground around 8th, showed effort until 100m out
12th: (8) Karate—positioned around 11th, even paced
13th: (12) Stellenbosch—raced around 11th, circled wide, failed to respond
14th: (11) Desierto—advanced to front after poor break to set fast pace, faded after 300m out
15th: (15) Al Naseem—traveled wide around 4th, dropped back after 3rd corner

THE 69TH OSAKA HAI (G1
4-year-olds & up, 2,000 meters (about 10 furlongs), turf, right-handed
Sunday, April 6, 2025            Hanshin Racecourse        11th Race         Post time: 15:40
Total prize money: ¥ 651,000,000 (about US$ 4,147,000 <US$1=¥157>)
4-y-o & up: 58kg (about 128 lbs),
2kg allowance for Fillies & Mares, 1kg allowance for Southern Hemisphere-bred born in 2021
Course Record: 1:56.2          Race Record: 1:56.2 [Bellagio Opera (JPN, by Lord Kanaloa), 2025]
Safety factor: 16 runners       Going: Good to Firm        Weather: Fine

Turnover for the Race alone: ¥ 17,874,165,200       Turnover for the Day: ¥ 28,328,153,300       Attendance: 29,395

Winner= 12 starts: 6 wins, 1 second & 1 third / Added & stakes money: ¥ 303,234,000 / Career earnings: ¥ 823,702,000

* 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. 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).
Defending champion Bellagio Opera and 2024 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, G1, 1,600m) champion Stellenbosch began their current season with this race while 2023 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000m) champion Sol Oriens came into the race after finishing fifth in the Kyoto Kinen (G2, 2,200m, Feb.16), 0.4 second behind winner Yoho Lake. The field also included Lord del Rey and Sixpence, respective winners of the Nikkei Shinshun Hai (G2, 2,200m, Jan.19) and the Nakayama Kinen (G2, 1,800m, Mar.2) as well as 2023 Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1, 3,200m) champion Justin Palace, 2023 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1, 1,600m) runner-up Ecoro Walz and 2024 Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1, 2,000m) third-place finisher Ho O Biscuits.