Maurice Finds More for Yasuda Kinen Win
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Kazumi Yoshida's Maurice gave a career-defining performance June 7 in the Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-I) at Tokyo Racecourse, stamping himself Japan's top miler this spring.
The odds-on favorite in field of 17, Maurice dispatched front-runner Keiai Elegant more than a quarter mile out to take control and then resisted the late run of Vincennes to win by neck in his first start at the highest level.
In finishing 1,600 meters in 1:32, Maurice posted a fourth consecutive victory and second group win following his triumph in the Lord Derby Challenge Trophy (Jpn-III) April 5 at Nakayama.
Racing in fifth early, 2011 Yasuda Kinen victor Real Impact sprinted to the early lead with 2015 Victoria Mile (Jpn-I) runner-up Keiai Elegant pressing from second. The winner gradually advanced angling wide on the far turn. Third entering the stretch, the son of Screen Hero passed the tiring Real Impact through the uphill climb, then, responding to jockey Yuga Kawada's urgings, collared Keiai Elegant before the 200-meter mark. He had enough stamina in reserve to hold off Vincennes, who wove through rivals to find an opening to the outside and conjured up a torrid closing kick to just miss.
"He was a bit eager to go but I was able to keep him under control," Kawada said of how the race unfolded. "He ran a really smooth race, and we were able to slip out of the pack in good timing after entering the straight.
"I thought that we would be able to win easily but when Vincennes closed in behind us, I urged him to go, hoping that the colt will manage to fend him off. He has matured a lot since I last rode him over a year ago and so I was able to ride him with confidence."
Trained by Noriyuki Hori, Maurice has six wins from 11 career starts and is the first group I winner for his sire, 2008 Japan Cup (Jpn-I) winner and champion older male Screen Hero. He was bred in Japan by Togawa Bokujo from the Carnegie mare Mejiro Frances.
Vincennes, winner of Tokyo Shimbun Hai (Jpn-III) at the Yasuda Kinen distance in February and also debuting at the top level, bested multiple group winner Clarente by 1 1/4 lengths for second.