Jack d'Or Holds Off Stars on Earth for Osaka Hai Win

Jack d'Or led from the start in the Osaka Hai (G1) April 2 at Hanshin Racecourse and, with veteran jockey Yutaka Take keeping just enough in reserve, held on at the finish to win by a nose.

Stars on Earth, the reigning Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks-G1) champion, just missed with a bold stretch rally under Christophe Lemaire with Danon the Kid third. Jack d'Or, a 5-year-old son of Maurice  from the Unbridled's Song mare Ravarino, finished in stakes-record time of 1:57.4.

It was his first group 1 win and the 80th for Take, who became the oldest jockey to win a top-level Japanese race at age 54 years and 19 days.

Jack d'Or came into the Osaka Hai off a nearly four-month break that followed a fourth-place finish in the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse and a seventh in the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Eager after the long absence, he broke well and led easily through most of the 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) without significant pressure. Turning into the lane, Danon the Kid mounted the first challenge but could never get to even terms.

Stars on Earth found her best stride in the final 100 meters after racing well back in the 16-horse field, blitzing by outside rivals only to fall a nose short crossing the finish line.

"I was hoping to take the front if we could get a good start," Take said. "He was a bit keen to go in the first two corners but raced in good rhythm thereafter. I think it was tough for him because of the headwind in the straight, but I had a feeling that we were able to hold off the chasing horses when we crossed the wire."

Take, a cultural hero in Japan for decades, returned from riding in Dubai the previous weekend. He was humble about his career-long run of success while giving no sign he's ready to rest on his laurels.

"I owe it to all the many great horses I was able to ride and I will do my best to extend this record even further," Take said.

Jack d'Or finished fifth in the 2022 Osaka Hai, snapping a five-race winning streak while tackling top-level competition for the first time. Trainer Kenichi Fujioka cited extenuating circumstances for that loss.

"In last year's race," the trainer said, "the pace was strong, but the ground wasn't perfect and he also lost a shoe."

Jack d'Or was bred by Crown and races for Toshiyuki Maehara.

Stars on Earth, a Duramente  filly produced by the Smart Strike mare Southern Stars, won both the Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas-G1) and Oaks in her first two group 1 races. She then was third in the Shuka Sho (G1) in October and had not raced since that effort.

Lemaire said before the race the layoff had been good to the promising filly.

"She's felt good in training and I've been pleased with her responses and footwork," Lemaire said. "She's a lot bigger now and, as a 4-year-old, more like an adult. I look forward to riding her this year."

Group 1 racing continues April 9 at Hanshin as Stars on Earth will relinquish her Oka Sho crown when that race is renewed.