Saturnalia Takes Satsuki Sho at Nakayama Racecourse

Saturnalia won a three-way sprint to the finish in the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, the grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas) April 14 at Nakayama Racecourse, remaining undefeated in four starts.

The Lord Kanaloa colt, out of the grade 1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) and American Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T) winner Cesario, was the overwhelming favorite in his first start of 2019 after closing his 2-year-old season with a win in the Hopeful Stakes (G1).

With Christophe Lemaire in the irons, Saturnalia was away alertly from post 12, raced well off the pace, and swung wide turning for home. With a couple of taps from Lemaire, he put a head in front of Velox at the wire, with Danon Kingly a nose farther behind. Admire Mars, the 2018 Japanese juvenile champion, was two lengths back in fourth.

Saturnalia finished the 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) in 1:58.1 over firm turf.

"I rode him for the first time in the race, but I had confidence in him," Lemaire said. "He seemed a bit nervous and drifted towards the inside when we took command before the crowd."

The victory will make Saturnalia an equally heavy favorite for the second leg of the Triple Crown, the grade 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), run May 26 at 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) at Tokyo Racecourse. The final leg of the series is the grade 1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) at 3,000 meters.

The Satsuki Sho has been a springboard for such future stars as Deep Impact, Victoire Pisa, Gold Ship, and Orfevre. 

Lemaire said going into the Satsuki Sho, Saturnalia "was not 100% as it was his first start this year. But he should be in top condition going into the Japanese Derby."

Saturnalia won at first asking June 10 at Hanshin, followed with a victory in the Hagi Stakes at Kyoto, and went on to win the Dec. 28 Hopeful Stakes before being put away for the season.

Bred by Northern Farm, he is trained by Katsuhiko Sumii for U Carrot Farm.

The colt's sire is quickly making a name for himself in Japan. His progeny include the likes of Almond Eye, winner of last year's Triple Tiara, the Japan Cup (G1), and this year's Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1T).

Saturnalia's namesake is the ancient Roman festival of the god Saturn, celebrated in December with general merrymaking.