Deep Impact Trifecta in Japanese Derby

Makahiki (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), runner-up in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), went one better in Sunday's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), with the Satsuki Sho winner and third, Dee Majesty (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Satono Diamond (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) finishing third and second, respectively, and thus completing a trifecta for their perennial champion sire. Quickly dropping back from the three hole to travel midpack on the rail into the first turn, Makahiki found himself about 12 lengths off the lead as the field raced well strung out down the backstretch. Inching-ever closer rounding the second bend, Makahiki–who wears the same silks are his sire–angled off the rail for running room in the straight. With much of the field still in contention in midstretch, Makahiki was produced late and hit the front at the 100 metre mark before a crowd of 140,000, holding off late thrusts from both Satono Diamond and Dee Majesty to win by a nose.

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
TOKYO YUSHUN (JAPANESE DERBY)-G1, ¥425,050,000, Tokyo, 5-29, 3yo, c&f, 2400mT, 2:24.00, fm.
1–&MAKAHIKI (JPN), 123, c, 3, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
1st Dam: Wikiwiki (Jpn), by French Deputy
2nd Dam: Real Number (Arg), by Rainbow Corner (GB)
3rd Dam: Numeraria (Arg), by Southern Halo
O-Makoto Kaneko Holdings; B-Northern Farm; T-Yasuo
Tomomichi; J-Yuga Kawada. ¥231,535,000. Lifetime Record:
5-4-1-0. *Full to Uliuli (Jpn), MGSW-Jpn, $2,227,158. Werk
Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Satono Diamond (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Deep Impact (Jpn)–
Malpensa (Arg), by Orpen. (¥230,000,000 wnlg'13 JRHAJUL)
O-Hajime Satomi; B-Northern Farm. ¥89,010,000.
3–Dee Majesty (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Hermes
Tiara (Jpn), by Brian's Time. O-Masaru Shimada; B-Hattori
Farm. ¥54,505,000.
Margins: NO, HF, 2. Odds: 3.00, 2.80, 2.50.
Also Ran: Air Spinel (Jpn), Leontes (Jpn), Smart Odin (Jpn), Mount Robson (Jpn), Rainbow Line (Jpn), Red Eldest (Jpn), Prodigal Son (Jpn), Lord Quest (Jpn), Azur Rose (Jpn), Vanquish Run (Jpn), Agnes Forte (Jpn), Immortal (Jpn), Meiner Honey (Jpn), Prophet (Jpn), Brave Smash (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart and video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

Owner Makoto Kaneko had the pleasure of watching two-time Japanese Horse of the Year Deep Impact capture seven Group 1s in his silks, including this race as part of the Japanese Triple Crown, and the computer software magnate is now reaping the rewards campaigning the progeny of his former stable star. Kaneko was collecting his third Tokyo Yushun trophy Sunday, having also campaigned another subsequent leading sire, King Kamehameha (Jpn), to victory in the Classic in 2004. Kaneko has also enjoyed success with the progeny of King Kamehameha–named for the King Kamehameha Golf Club, which he owns, in Hawaii–having campaigned his Japanese Fillies Triple Crown-winning daughter Apapane (Jpn).

Makahiki made just one start as a juvenile, winning a newcomers test going 1800 metres at Kyoto Oct. 23, and he resumed Jan. 23 with an allowance win over 2000 metres of the same track. Stepping up in grade for the G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho S. over the same distance at Nakayama Mar. 6, the bay bested last year's G1 Asahi Hai Futurity winner and champion 2-year-old colt Leontes (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) to notch his third-straight win. Makahiki put in his typical admirable performance in the Apr. 17 Satsuki Sho, making a late run but running out of real estate and winding up second. He had no such issue with the added distance Sunday, and jockey Yuga Kawada commented, “The colt broke smoothly and I was able to race him in good position as planned. I gradually advanced him while marking Satono Diamond and he stretched really well after threading through a small opening. The moment we crossed the wire, I felt that we were a margin in front, but I was overwhelmed with joy when the photo finish result came out. I'm just happy to be able to ride in the Derby, and feel very fortunate to have been able to achieve the best result.”