Songline's Late Effort Denies Sodashi in Victoria Mile

Songline  was along in the final strides to snatch the victory from white mare Sodashi  in the Victoria Mile May 14 at soggy Tokyo Racecourse—a race with an illustrious history and a door-opener to world competition.

It was the second group 1 win for Songline, already an accomplished world traveler, and her victory by a head denied Sodashi a fourth top-level score. Neither, however, was favorite for the Victoria Mile. That honor went to last year's champion 3-year-old filly, Stars on Earth, who settled for third, another three quarters of a length back.

Songline earned a "Win and You're In" berth in November's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park. She had been scheduled to compete in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Keeneland only to have the trip canceled due to throat issues.

In addition to the Breeders' Cup slot to the winner, the first three finishers are accorded the opportunity to contest the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) as well as the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) at Deauville.

The race has been won by a roster of eventual champions including Vodka  and Almond Eye , both two-time Japanese Horse of the Year honorees, Buena Vista , Apapane , and Gran Alegria .

Songline was making her first start since returning from a disappointing return trip to Saudi Arabia; she started well from gate six and raced just off the rail in the middle of the 16-horse field while Sodashi, with Damian Lane riding for the first time, had to hustle from the outside stall to challenge for the early lead.

The extra early effort proved costly for Sodashi. After chasing longshot pacesetter Lotus Land over the rain-soaked turf, she got to the front near the top of the stretch incline, some 200 meters from the finish. Jockey Keita Tosaki, however, had Songline moving to the inside of his white rival and got there with perfect timing.

Songline nails Sodashi at the wire to win the Victoria Mile and earn automatic berth into the @BreedersCup Filly & Mare Turf! pic.twitter.com/1G1wnJ2vxD

— Kate Hunter • ケイト ハンター (@KeibaKate) May 14, 2023

"Though we had to race further back and inward than planned, we were able to race in good position while eyeing the race favorites," Tosaki said. "The track was a little heavy due to the rain but she responded strongly in the straight.

"It was a close race, but I was pretty sure we crossed the wire in front. I knew that Songline has a strong ability so I'm really happy we were able to win the race."

The course was rated officially as "good to firm." Songline finished in 1:32.2.

Songline is sired by Kizuna , a son of Deep Impact, from the Symboli Kris S mare Luminous Parade . Her breeder-owner is the familiar combination of Northern Farm and Sunday Racing.

Sodashi, by Kurofune, was bred by her owner, Kaneko Makoto Holdings.

Songline won the 1351 Turf Sprint (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh in 2022, then returned to Japan to finish fifth in the Victoria Mile. Just three weeks later, she scored her only previous top-level win in the Yasuda Kinen (G1), also at one mile over the Tokyo turf.

She made only one more start in 2022, finishing fifth in a group 2 affair at Chukyo Racecourse going 1,200 meters (about six furlongs). Her only previous start this season produced a disappointing 10th-place finish in the 1351 Turf Sprint.

"I think she went to the Saudi Arabia race in good condition," said trainer Toru Hayashi. "But I've done a lot of thinking about how her mental state may still have needed work, since she was going into the race after a layoff. After returning to Japan, she went to the farm where they got her fully recovered from the race and she returned to the training center on April 14."

For Stars on Earth, the result was a third straight close call in a career marked by long absences.

Last year, the Duramente  filly won the Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas-G1) and the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks-G1). A five-month break then was followed by a third-place finish in the Shuka Sho (G1). After another five months on the sidelines, she reported second behind Jack d'Or in the Osaka Hai (G1) in her 2023 debut April 2.