Third favorite Embroidery extended her winning streak to three with a narrow triumph in the 85th Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) on Sunday, April 13 at Hanshin Racecourse.
What's more, it was the Admire Mars progeny's first Japan Racing Association G1 title.
Heading into the opening leg of the Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown on Sunday in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, Embroidery was coming off a victory in the Queen Cup (G3, Tokyo, 1,600 meters) on February 15.
Sunday's success was the first G1 victory and third graded title for trainer Kazutomo Mori, who is in his second season as a JRA trainer.
Jockey Joao Moreira, who partnered with Embroidery for the second time after the filly's debut in 2024, also won the Oka Sho last year with Stellenbosch and has now collected four JRA G1 titles.
The Path to Victory for Embroidery
Embroidery broke smoothly and settled off the rails in mid-division around 10th position up to the final turn. Moreira waited for an opening as the field straightened for the stretch run and swiftly guided the filly out to overtake the race favorite, who weakened before the furlong pole.
Soon joined by Arma Veloce (jockey Mirai Iwata's ride) from the outside, the bay filly outdueled that foe for a victory by a neck's length.
Embroidery completed the race in 1 minute, 33.1 seconds. (Watch the full race on the JRA's YouTube channel.)
After winning the G1 [race] today, she deserves a chance for the second [and] third legs (of the Fillies' Triple Crown]," Moreira said after the race. "I have no doubt she'll be competitive again."
Wet Conditions Impact the 85th Oka Sho
After the race, Moreira pointed out that the wet turf affected the competition.
"We didn't really know how she (Embroidery) was going to handle the track as it's been raining for nearly half of the day and there was a lot of moisture out there and not many of the horses out there could handle it," Moreira said.
Added Moreira, "[But] the surface definitely didn't affect her at all, and I'm extremely pleased to have been given a chance to ride another very special horse in Japan."
Arma Veloce Falls Short in Pursuit of Victory
Arma Veloce, winner of the JRA's 2024 Best Two-Year-Old Filly award, also raced in mid-field with close watch on the eventual winner throughout the 1,600-meter trip. While the winner opted to take the inside route rounding the final turn, Iwata angled out to secure a clear path along the outside at equal speed for the duel but missed by a neck for second.
Fourth favorite Lynx Tip (Mirco Demuro) was unhurried early and trailed at the very rear of the 18-horse field early. She rapidly advanced along the outside from the 600-meter pole with impressive speed. But Lynx Tip had too much ground to make up to threaten the top two finishers and had to settle for third, crossing the wire 2½ lengths behind the runner-up.
Ma Puce (Hironobu Tanabe), the ninth favorite, placed fourth. The Mind Your Biscuit progeny finished 2½ lengths back of Lynx Tip.
Race favorite Erika Express (Keita Tosaki) was the first out of the gate to assume command and maintained her lead up to the final corner. But, tired from her early efforts, she was unable to sustain her bid and gave way to her rivals from behind while managing to finish fifth.
A Look Ahead
The G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), a 2,000-meter turf race, will be held on April 20 at Nakayama Racecourse in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture.
Read the full report, including details on each of the Oka Sho entrants, on JRA News.
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