Al Ain Returns to Winner's Circle in Osaka Hai
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Photo: Naoji Inada
Al Ain is led from the winner's circle after his victory in the Oaska Hai at Hanshin
Sunday Racing's Al Ain prevailed with a ground-saving trip in the March 31 Osaka Hai (G1) at Hanshin Racecourse to record his first victory in nearly two years. The 5-year-old son of Deep Impact cut the corner and held off rivals to both his inside and outside to win by a narrow margin.
Al Ain, trained by Yashutoshi Ikee, last visited the winner's circle in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas, G1) as a 3-year-old in April 2017. He continued to hit the board multiple times in group company, including a third in the 2018 Osaka Hai.
In this year's running, Al Ain sat in fourth on the rail under jockey Yuichi Kitamura in the 2,000-meter event (about 1 1/4 miles). He found an opening when the field straightened for home and took the lead. Kiseki, winner of the 2017 Kikua Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1) and second to Almond Eye in the Nov. 25 Japan Cup (G1), held his second-place position on the outside while Wagnerian, winner of the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1) in May, shot up the rail.
Al Ain held off both runners to win by a neck over Kiseki, who was another neck in front of Wagnerian in third. Makahiki, Air Windsor, Blast Onepiece, Stiffelio, Muito Obrigado, Danburite, Epoca d'Oro, Persian Knight, Sungrazer, Stay Foolish, and Stelvio completed the order of finish.
Al Ain hit the wire in 2:01 over firm turf and improved his record to 5-3-2 from 16 starts.
Bred by Northern Farm, Al Ain is out of the 2010 Eclipse female sprint champion Dubai Majesty, by Essence of Dubai. Katsumi Yoshida purchased the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) winner for $1.1 million in 2010 from the consignment of Taylor Made Sales Agency at The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton's fall mixed sale in Lexington, Ky. Dubai Majesty has three starters, all winners, from five foals, including an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Deep Impact.