The 29th Japan Cup

Every year the Japan Cup attracts top turf horses from around the world. This year International entries included Conduit (IRE), who has two consecutive Breeders’ Cup Turf wins, Scintillo (GBR), Marsh Side (USA), winner of the 2008 Patterson International, as well as, Interpretation (USA) and Just as Well (USA). The stakes record holder at 2:22.1 is an American horse who claimed the win in 2005, named Alkaased. The 2,400 meters, left handed, turf course at Tokyo Racecourse plays host to the Japan Cup.

This years race favorite was Vodka, who was able to fend off the charge of Oken Bruce Lee and win by a nose. The Japan Cup win would make Vodka the first Japanese bred mare to claim the Cup and join Symboli Rudolf, T.M. Opera O and Deep Impact as the fourth horse to score seven JRA G1 titles.

Chirstophe Lemaire boarded Vodka and traveled 4-5 lengths behind the pacesetter in fourth, where she remained composed and saved her energy for the stretch. She accelerated through the horses and took the front 300 meters out to exert her usual late spurt. Oken Bruce Lee ridden by Hiroyuki Uchida (last year`s Kikuka Sho, Japanese St. Leger, Champion) had swung wide around the last two corners and ran the last three furlongs the quickest in the field and appeared to crash the wire at the same time before the cameras ruled in favor of Vodka.
Owner Yuzo Tanimizu talks about Vodka. “Though Vodka has won many G1 titles, the Japan Cup was special to me in that, after having finished third and fourth (in ’07 and ’08 respectively) in this truly international and prestigious grade-race, somewhere in the back of my mind, there was always this unfinished job we had to finish. Credit goes to my trainer (Katsuhiko Sumii) and especially the stable staff that have put such hard work into making this happen. Her plans from now on will be decided only after I discuss the matter with my trainer and the staff who knows her best and has the ability to acknowledge when the time (to decide when she’s had enough) comes…but we take each race at a time and put in our best effort as well as observe her condition accordingly.”

When asked about the race, Christophe Lemaire said, “When I was asked to ride Vodka, I was surprised, happy and honored to have been chosen to ride the champion. I had the impression that she was a mare with special qualities ever since seeing her win the derby (Tokyo Yushun) and the way she handled both mile to 1-1/2 mile distance—that is a sign of great quality—and it is no wonder that she is loved by the public and the racing circle alike. I was able to start from a very good draw which allowed me to place her in a very good position, and Yutaka Take (on Reach the Crown) set a nice pace which enabled me to have the mare relaxed during the trip. She was all ready to go at the head of the stretch, but knowing that the 2,400 meters was an extra distance for her, I kept her in hand until the last 1-1/2 furlong. I knew that the last 100 meters was going to be the toughest and also acknowledged a strong charge coming from behind so I gave her the whip and prayed her to hold on and she did—which proves what a fantastic mare she is. I wasn’t sure of my victory after I hit the wire—I had already experienced a defeat in the race when on Heart’s Cry was beaten by Alkaased (in 2005) and I was a little bit on the negative side, not having won last week and also this week until now—so I was very happy that I had won.”

Vodka is 10 for 25 in her career, and has total earnings of over 1.3 billion yen (approximately $14,500,000 US).

Third Place finisher was the only other filly in the field, Red Desire, this years`winner of the Sjuka Sho. She hugged the rail in the midfield and finished 1 and 1/2 lengths behind Oken Bruce Lee in third.

Ryan Moore broke Conduit (two time defending champion of the Breeders`Cup Turf) slowly out of the gate, got held up in traffic, finishing fourth by 2 and 3/4 lengths. “He broke poorly”, said Moore, “he didn’t respond as he usually does. He may have been tired not having enough time from his last start.”

Just as Well, finished first of the American horses, in seventh place. Ridden by Julien Leparoux, he was crowded by horses through the last two corners but hung on to finish behind Eishin Deputy (sixth). “The horses on both sides closed in and I didn’t have room, but I’m pleased with the outcome in such a big race,” said Leparoux.

Marsh Side, who was the eighth favourite and ridden by Javier Castellano finished 17th behind Asakusa Kings. “He was through 3 furlongs out and never responded after that. I don’t know why,” said Castellano.

The Japan Cup has total prize money of ¥ 533,500,000 which is about US $5,927,000 and is for 3-year-olds and up.