Budding Rivalry in Japanese Two Thousand Guineas

There's already a bit of rivalry in the ranks for the grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas) April 14 at Nakayama Racecourse, the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown.

The Japan Racing Association's 2018 champion 2-year-old colt Admire Mars saw his undefeated record go by the boards in his first start this year as he finished second to Danon Kingly in the Kyodo News Service Hai (G3) at 1,800 meters (about nine furlongs) at Tokyo Racecourse. The two meet again in the Satsuki Sho, which adds 200 meters to that distance (about 1 1/4 miles).

"In the Kyodo News Service Hai, he was out in front, and I thought he might be able to sustain things to the end," said Admire Mars' trainer, Yasuo Tomomichi. "But the pace was a bit slow, and the winner was just able to find a bit more at the finish."

Tomomichi said the Daiwa Major colt, winner of the Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) in his 2-year-old finale, should be in finer fettle after a break at the farm.

Danon Kingly, meanwhile, ran his record to 3-for-3 with the victory in the Kyodo News Service Hai, and trainer Kiyoshi Hagiwara said his colt, too, has had a spell at the farm. Back in training March 22, Danon Kingley worked on the woodchip course March 27 "and everything was confirmed as being fine with him," Hagiwara said.

By Deep Impact, Danon Kingly gets jockey Keita Tosaki, who won last year's Satsuki Sho aboard Epoca d'Oro.

"There's no doubt he's come along well and seems bigger and stronger," Tosaki said after Danon Kingly drew gate 4. "There's a good feel to him. Judging from his last race, he should be able to get into the flow of things throughout the run at Nakayama."

Also undefeated after three starts and looking to move along is Saturnalia, a half brother to 2014 Japan Cup (G1) winner Epiphaneia and Japanese champion 2-year-old colt Leontes. He is out of Cesario, winner of both the grade 1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) and the 2005 American Oaks Invitational (G1) at Hollywood Park.

Saturnalia makes his first start as a 3-year-old after signing off 2018 with a victory in Japan's Hopeful Stakes (G1) over the course and distance of the Satsuki Sho. His sire, Lord Kanaloa, has met with significant success early in his career with progeny led by Almond Eye. Christophe Lemaire rides for trainer Katsuhiko Sumii.

"He's come along very well, and in his past three races I don't think he's been fully extended," assistant trainer Yasuyuki Tsujino said of Saturnalia. "He's from a good pedigree, and I hope he can pass the test here in this classic race."

Only seven horses have won the Japanese Triple Crown, most recently Orfevre in 2011.