TOKYO (May 15, 2022) — Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd.’s homebred Sodashi (JPN) powered to the front in deep stretch and prevailed by 2 lengths over Fine Rouge (JPN) in Sunday’s Victoria Mile (G1) on turf at Tokyo Racecourse. With this victory, Sodashi earned an automatic starting position and fees paid into the US$2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) through the Win And You’re In Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 82 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 4-5.
A 4-year-old daughter of Kurofune (JPN), trained by Nausuke Sugai and ridden by Hayato Yoshida, Sodashi joins Captain’s Ransom (SAF), winner of the Cartier Paddock Stakes (G1) in South Africa on Jan. 8, as the first two horses this year to gain free berths into the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Breaking sharply from stall five in a field of 18 fillies and mares as the 5-1 fourth choice, Sodashi raced along the rail in fourth behind pacesetter Rosa Noir (JPN), who stayed in front through the top of the stretch. Resistencia (JPN), the 12-1 sixth choice, then ranged up and moved into second. At this point, Yoshida maneuvered Sodashi slightly to the outside and the white filly broke loose passing the 200-meter pole, powering in between Rosa Noir and Resistencia with an impressive late drive.
In winning her third Group 1 race, Sodashi completed the mile in 1:32.2 over a course listed as good to firm.
“The filly was relaxed and in good condition when I rode her in the post parade,” said Yoshida. “Once she entered the gate, she was focused and was able to make a good break and I was able to ride her in good rhythm while holding down her pace. She responded well in the stretch when I urged her to go. As today’s race included a very strong field, it was like a dream for a white horse to be able to win a G1 race at Tokyo Racecourse.”
Sodashi (JPN) improved her record to seven wins in 11 starts. She finished third last time out in the February Stakes (G1) on dirt at Tokyo on Feb. 20, a Win And You’re In for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Today’s victory was her first since defeating last year’s Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Loves Only You (JPN) in the 1 ¼-mile Sapporo Kinen (G2) on Aug. 22.
Runner-up Fine Rouge struggled to find a clear path on the turn for home, but showed a persistent turn of foot to close in on the winner, passing her rivals one by one. Though unable to catch Sodashi, Fine Rouge won a 4-horse rally to secure a runner-up spot by a neck over Resistencia (JPN).Rosa Noir finished fourth, followed by Songline (JPN) in fifth. Daring Act (JPN), the 2020 Japanese Filly Triple Crown winner, who was making her first start in more than a year, finished sixth. Lei Papale (JPN), the 4-1 favorite, was in third place entering the stretch, but faded to 12th.
As a part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for Sodashi to start in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which will be run at 1 3/16 miles at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.
Edited Breeders’ Cup Press Release from Japan Racing Association
Photo: Sodashi, (JRA)
