Danon Platina Captures Asahi Hai Futurity
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Danon Platina wrapped up Japan's champion 2-year-old male honors when capturing the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (Jpn-I) by three lengths Dec. 21 at Hanshin.
The colt's victory in the 1,600-meter (about one mile) test marked the second group I win in a week for a 2-year-old by leading sire Deep Impact, following Shonan Adela's victory in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Dec. 14. The win was the 10th from the Japan Racing Association 23 group I races in 2014, and 11th overall for the offspring of Sunday Silence. The total includes a victory by Gentildonna in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I) in March.
The 9-2 favorite, Danon Platina lived up to expectations in capturing the Asahi Hai Futurity for his third consecutive win. He posted a runner-up finish in his debut in September, followed by a four-length maiden win in October, and a strong three-length tally in an allowance race Nov. 30 at Tokyo.
After Danon Platina broke sharply from the inside post in the field of 18, but Masayoshi Ebina kept his mount reserved third from the rear and three wide while the colt briefly fought the bit in the backstretch.
Well in hand by the final turn and angled wide entering the straight, the gray hit his best stride and willingly demonstrated a resounding finishing kick to sweep by his rivals, eventually passing pacesetter Active Minoru at the furlong pole. After getting the lead, Danon Platina then held off the closing runner-up Arma Waioli.
Third-place finisher Clarity Sky finished another three-quarters of a length behind 14-1 shot Arma Waioli. Active Minoru, who set the pace to the 100-meter mark, was fifth.
"The going wasn't very good and since we broke from an inner stall, I tried hard to position him away from the rails which went well as planned," Ebina said of the winning trip. "He was relaxed and had enough left in him by the last corner for a strong final run. He definitely takes after his sire Deep Impact—his finishing speed speaks for itself."
Danon Platina completed the distance in 1:35.90 on turf rated as good.
The colt is trained by Sakae Kunieda for owner Danox Co. Ltd. Danon Platina was bred in Japan by Chiyoda Farm Shizunai. He is the first foal out of the unraced Unbridled's Song mare Badeelah, a $32,000 purchase by Nobu Araki's Polo Green Stable from the Shadwell Farm consignment at the 2010 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. The mare was sent to Japan in 2011.