Takeshi Yokoyama

NY-Bred Firster Looks To Give Arrogate Another Japanese Winner

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this Saturday running at Nakayama Racecourse. The feature of the weekend is Sunday's fan-voted G1 Arima Kinen, the preview for which will appear in Saturday's TDN: Saturday, December 23, 2023 6th-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($96k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m BLUE WHIRL (c, 2, Arrogate--Ignite, by Jump Start)...

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Shin Emperor Off The Mark at First Asking at Tokyo

Susumu Fujita's Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), the full-brother to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass (Fr) and €2.1-million topper at the 2022 Arqana August sale, made a successful racecourse debut Saturday, bursting through with 400 metres to travel en route to a three-length success at Tokyo Racecourse. Trying an 1800-metre trip for this first go, the son of Starlet's Sister (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was first to break the line and could have led had they chosen, but Takeshi Yokoyama elected to allow the colt to find his...

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Sol Oriens, Tastiera Face Rubber Match In Kikuka Sho

While there is no Triple Crown at stake this season, Sunday's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) over about a mile and seven furlongs (3000 metres) shapes an intriguing affair nonetheless, with the winners of the first two legs locking horns with--potentially--champion 3-year-old honours at stake. Shadai Farm's Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) was late to begin his career, but was a quick study, winning his first three trips to the post and overcoming some immature habits to best Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) by a clear margin in...

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Sol Oriens A Rising Star For Kitasan Black in Satsuki Sho

Just days after his first-crop son Equinox (Jpn) was named the world's highest-rated racehorse for his stunning victory in last month's G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, successful young stallion Kitasan Black (Jpn) was represented by his first Japanese Classic winner when Sol Oriens (Jpn) came from a near-impossible position 400 metres from home to take Sunday's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) by a widening 1 1/4 lengths. Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) led into the final furlong, but was swamped late on, while favoured Phantom Thief (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB})...

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Team Rest Of The World Looking Forward To Shergar Cup

A few days out from the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, five jockeys, including the entire Rest of the World Team, were on hand to answer questions from the media at Ascot Racecourse. Held on Aug. 6, four teams (GB & Ire, Rest of the World, Europe, and Ladies) will compete across eight races gathering points, with awards handed out for the top team and top rider. Rest of the World Team Captain Christophe Lemaire was joined by the Australian-based pair of Kerrin McEvoy and Jason Collett, as well as...

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Deep Impact Exacta in Hopeful as 'Ability' Prevails

Killer Ability (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) showed plenty of talent to take the G1 Hopeful S. at Nakayama on Tuesday. The 2000-metre affair featured 15 colts in the final Japan Racing Association Group 1 of 2021. It was an exacta for the deceased Shadai kingpin Deep Impact, as Justin Palace (Jpn) was 1 1/2 lengths behind. Second choice at 2-1, the blinkered colt rated in an ideal position perched in third while saving ground against the rails as Grand Line (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) carved out even splits of :23.90, :48.10...

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Efforia Gunning For Fantastic Five in Tokyo Yushun

Perfect in four career attempts to this point, including a facile success in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (2000mT) last month, Carrot Farm's Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) will jump a warm favourite to take his winning streak to five in Sunday's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) at the Fuchu Racecourse in the Japanese capitol. Blessed with excellent tactical speed, Efforia has managed to be a forward factor in each of his races to date, sitting fairly handy to the pace when besting Victipharus (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) by...

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Duramente Colt Upsets Japanese Guineas Prep

Hiroshi Yamada's Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) scored an upset at 16-1 in the G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen at Nakayama on Sunday. The 2000-metre race is a pointer for the G1 Japanese 2000 Guineas in mid-April. Away to an alert beginning, the dark bay strolled to the lead and kept a measured gallop throughout while under minimal pressure from his rivals. He slowed the pace after the first few furlongs and the first half of the race went in 1:02.6. Held together expertly at the fence by...

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