‘Kitasan’ Triumphs in Kikuka Sho
Updated: October 25, 2015 at 6:57 am
There was no Japanese Triple Crown on the line, but the 76th running of the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), the final Classic on the Japanese racing calendar, went the way of Ono Shoji Inc.’s Kitasan Black (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}), third in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) earlier this season. The victory was the first at JRA Group 1 level for his trainer Hisashi Shimizu since he began training in 2009 and the first Classic win for pilot Hiroshi Kitamura.
“I am overwhelmed with joy beyond words,” said a euphoric Hisashi Shimizu to the Japan Racing Association. “There were concerns over his aptitude for long distances [pedigree-wide], but I wanted to prove that this was wrong, as his form and movements showed that he is suited to long distances.”
Fifth-choice in the betting at 12-1, the bay was able to secure a fence position in fifth as Musee Alien (Jpn) hustled out to the early lead with race favorite Lia Fail (Jpn) and Spirits Minoru (Jpn) following close behind through the first 1000 meters in 1:00 2/5. Still racing well and saving all possible ground for this marathon 3000-meter journey as several rivals made their bids down the back straight for the second circuit, Kitasan Black wove his way towards the vanguard turning into the home straight. With a well-timed run by hoop Hiroshi Kitamura, Kitasan Black burst between a tiring Musee Alien and new frontrunner Lia Fail to take command 50 meters out and fend off the hard-charging second-choice Real Steel (Jpn) by a neck. Owned by Japanese blues singer Saburo Kitajima of Ono Shoji Inc., Kitasan Black’s victory was his first at the highest level.
“There were horses chasing us on the outside after we took command so I just hoped that he will hold on until the wire,” Hiroshi Kitamura told the JRA. “I am grateful to the owner [Saburo Kitajima] for continuing to let me ride the colt and pleased that I was able to respond to his support.”
Unraced as a juvenile, Kitasan Black won his first three racetrack appearances beginning with a mile maiden at Tokyo Jan. 31 followed by a 2000-meter affair Feb. 22. He defeated Kikuka Sho runner-up Real Steel in the G2 Fuji TV Sho Spring S. switched to Nakayama Mar. 22 and ran with credit to be third in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) behind the now side-lined Duramente (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) Apr. 19. Throwing in a clunker when 14th, once again to Durament in the May 31 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) going 2400 meters at Tokyo–his first try beyond 2000 meters–Kitasan Black redeemed himself when adding the G2 Asahi Hai St. Lite Kinen, lowering the colors of Sunday’s adversary Musee Alien back at Nakayama Sept. 21.
By a year-older full-brother to Japanese sire sensation Deep Impact (Jpn) in the form of Black Tide (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), Kitasan Black is the third foal, third winner and first stakes winner out of the unraced Sugar Heart (Jpn) (Sakura Bakushin O {Jpn}). His second dam is a half-sister to GI Super Derby third and recently deceased California sire Cee’s Tizzy (Relaunch), the sire of dual GI Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Tiznow. Third dam Tizly (Lyphard) was purchased by Shadai Farm for $40,000 at KEEJAN in 1989, while his fourth dam is the MGISW Tizna (Trevieres). Sugar Heart’s last reported foal is an unraced 2-year-old by Dream Journey (Jpn).
Sunday, Kyoto, Japan
KIKUKA SHO (JAPANESE ST.LEGER)-G1, ¥259,870,000 (US$2,139,515), Kyoto, 10-25, 3yo, c/f, 3000mT, 3:03.90, fm.
1–&KITASAN BLACK (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Black Tide (Jpn)
1st Dam: Sugar Heart (Jpn), by Sakura Bakushin O (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Otome Gokoro (Jpn), by Judge Angelucci
3rd Dam: Tizly, by Lyphard
O-Ono Shoji Inc.; B-Yanagawa Farm; T-Hisashi Shimizu;
J-Hiroshi Kitamura; ¥144,669,000. Lifetime Record: 7-5-0-1.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
Rating: A++.
2–Real Steel (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Loves Only Me,
by Storm Cat. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm;
¥54,334,000.
3–Lia Fail (Jpn), 126, c, 3, by Zenno Rob Roy (Jpn)–Chrysoprase
(Jpn), by El Condor Pasa. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm;
¥32,667,000.
Margins: NK, HF, 1 1/4; Odds: 12.40, 3.30, 2.10.
Also Ran: Tanta Alegria (Jpn), Satono Rasen (Jpn), Beruf (Jpn), Bright Emblem (Jpn), Musee Alien (Jpn), Massabielle (Jpn), Jun Tsubasa (Jpn), Stieglitz (Jpn), Albert Dock (Jpn), Tagano Espresso (Jpn), Wonder Atleta (Jpn), Spirits Minoru (Jpn), M Corazon (Jpn), Red Solomon (Jpn), Masahaya Dream (Jpn).
Click for the Racing Post result, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. JRA VIDEO.