Intriguing Rivalry Brews in Japan's Group 1 Oka Sho

A budding rivalry renews April 12 in the grade 1 Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas) at Hanshin Racecourse as the 2019 juvenile filly champion, Resistencia, looks to avenge her first loss.

Resistencia, a daughter of Daiwa Major, was unanimously voted the best of her generation after going 3-for-3 last year. But in her first effort this year, after three months on the sideline, she settled for a third-place finish in the Tulip Sho (G2) in a close decision behind Maltese Diosa and Cravache d'Or.

All three are back in the Oka Sho as part of a field of 18 set to tackle the 1,600-meter (about one-mile) contest, run right-handed around the outer loop of the Hanshin turf course.

Resistencia won her first two starts, both at 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs) at Kyoto. She then stepped up to win the Dec. 8 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) in a stakes-record time of 1:32.7.

Yutaka Take rode Resistencia in her career debut and gets back aboard for the Oka Sho with positive memories.

"She did run out a bit and had some difficult points, but I could tell she was talented," the rider said. "Once she turned for the straight, she flew, and I remember thinking, 'Yeah, she really can run.'"

Take said it's too early in Resistencia's career to "pigeonhole" her running style but added that for the Oka Sho, she "may indeed be best at either taking the lead or stalking it."

If so, she will have to hustle from gate 17. 

Maltese Diosa, from the first crop of Kizuma, a son of Deep Impact, finished second in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, ending the season with a record of two wins and two seconds from four starts. Cravache d'Or, by Heart's Cry, settled for third in the Hanshin showdown and, despite being right in the mix in all four starts, has only one victory.

Assistant trainer Yasuhiro Omura said Maltese Diosa's Tulip Sho win was accomplished in promising fashion.

"She was coming off a layoff for the Tulip Sho, but she was in very good shape," he said. "She waited very patiently before making her move and really showed tenacity in the stretch. I think it was a very good race in preparation for this one."

Deep Impact progeny have had great success in the Oka Sho, winning each year from 2011-14 and again last year. This year's field includes six of his daughters, including Ria Amelia, who went to the post as the favorite in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies but finished sixth. She has not run since.

Ria Amelia, out of 2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Ria Antonia, starts from gate 8, piloted by Japan's leading rider, Yuga Kawada.

The misfire in her most recent race remains a mystery, said assistant trainer Yuya Katayama. 

"She had looked fine going to the gate in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies," Katayama said. "But after the gate opened, I feel she just didn't want to run. I don't know what the reason was, but she just didn't run."

He said her training has been satisfactory leading up to the Oka Sho, and a good showing would put her back in the mix for the May 24 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1) at Tokyo.

Also highly regarded by the local punters in early Oka Sho wagering is Daring Tact, a daughter of 2014 Japan Cup (G1) winner Epiphaneia. She is 2-for-2 and comes off a handy win at the distance Feb. 8 at Kyoto, overcoming a tardy start.