Setting the Record Straight

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT 
Tomorrow’s G1 Shuka Sho at Kyoto Racecourse in Japan marks the third leg of the fillies Triple Crown, and while a title is not on the line this year, the race has nonetheless drawn a competitive lineup. G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) winner Harp Star (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) sits on the sidelines after her recent G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe sixth, but her G1 Yushin Himba (Japanese Oaks) conqueror Nuovo Record (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) represents the Classic form. It could be argued that Nuovo Record got the better of Harp Star on that occasion simply because of her rival’s wide and luckless run, but the chestnut nonetheless proved she is no slouch when taking the G2 Sho Rose S. Sept. 21. 
Harp Star’s trainer Hiroyoshi Matsuda may be missing his stable star here, but he nonetheless saddles a formidable quartet. Reve d’Etoiles (Jpn) (Zenno Rob Roy {Jpn}) qualified for this spot with a victory in the Shion S. at Niigata Sept. 13. That marked a career best for the dark bay, who ran fifth in the Oka Sho. Tagano Etoile (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) only hit the races in May, but she has made up for lost time, having finished second to Nuovo Record in the Sho Rose while running the fastest final 600 meters. Matsuda also saddles Sang Real (Jpn) (Zenno Rob Roy {Jpn}), the Apr. 27 G2 Sankei Sports Sho winner and half-sister to six-time Group 1 winner Buena Vista (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}), andCeu Azul (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).