Satono In Search Of Guineas Crown

Fifteen sophomores will face the starter in Japan’s first colts’ Classic of the season, the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), and Satono Crown (Jpn) (Marju {Ire}) is the 2-1 morning line favorite as he looks to extend his unbeaten record to four. Wrapping up a two-race juvenile campaign with a Group 3 score under Ryan Moore at Tokyo in November, the dark bay resumed Mar. 8 with a victory over Bright Emblem (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) in the G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas Trial). That rival was also a Group 3 winner as a 2-year-old, but could manage only seventh behind Danon Platina (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) when trying Group 1 company for the first time in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity. Bright Emblem’s most recent performance suggests he has progressed, however. 

Danon Platina won three straight last year after finishing a debut second, culminating in the Asahi Hai and juvenile championships honors, but he could manage only third on seasonal debut behind Kitasan Black (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}) andReal Steel (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Spring S. over 1800 meters of this strip Mar. 22. Like the favorite, Kitasan Black goes into this Classic an unbeaten three-for-three. He has made all his starts since Jan. 31, and won over this distance at Toyko Feb. 22. Real Steel got going shortly before Kitasan Black, breaking his maiden on debut Dec. 27, and followed up in the G3 Tokinominoru Kinen Feb. 15 prior to suffering his first defeat. 

The G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner Harbinger (GB) (Dansili {GB}) is represented here by his first-crop son Beruf (Jpn). Among the more seasoned competitors in the lineup, Beruf has started five times for three wins, all over this 2000 meter distance. Beruf was fourth when dropping back to 1800 meters in the Spring S., and should relish the step back up in trip.