Kitasan Black Dominates Tenno Sho

Kitasan Black, reigning Japanese Horse of the Year, dominated a tough field in the Tenno Sho Spring (G1) at Kyoto April 30, chasing down the runaway leader and sweeping to a 1 1/4-length victory.

Cheval Grand, owned by former Seattle Mariners pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki, was second in the 3,200-meter (about 2 miles) race with Satono Diamond third. Neither was gaining on the winner at the end as Kitasan Black finished in course-record time of 3:12.5, shaving nearly a full second off the mark established by the legendary Deep Impact 11 years prior.

Kitasan Black, a 5-year-old son of Black Tide, waited patiently at the head of the main pack as Yamakatsu Raiden swiftly opened a giant lead. As the pace quickened nearing the final turn, jockey Yutaka Take asked Kitasan Black for his run. He responded with authority and the result was never in doubt.

The victory avenged a loss to Satono Diamond in the Arima Kinen (G1) Dec. 26 and confirmed Kitasan Black's place among the world's top stayers. In his 4-year-old season, the grandson of Sunday Silence won that year's edition of the Tenno Sho Spring as well as the Japan Cup (G1).

The victory was worth 150 million Yen, or about US$1.3 million.

"It was a really tough race," Take said. "The pace never slowed down. Although the horse had little left, he showed amazing stamina and tenacity up to the end, which only he can do.

"I never thought Deep Impact's record would ever be broken," Take added. "This horse is just so much stronger than he was a year ago."