Horse Racing

Takarazuka Kinen: Meisho Tabaru Claims Wire-to-Wire Victory

Although threatened by Bellagio Opera, Meisho Tabaru pulled away for a three-length victory. It was jockey Yutaka Take's fifth Takarazuka Kinen win.

by
JRA News
June 16, 2025

Meisho Tabaru led wire-to-wire to capture his third graded and first G1 title in the Takarazuka Kinen on Sunday, June 15 at Hanshin Racecourse.

In his previous start, the son of 2014 Takarazuka Kinen champion Gold Ship finished fifth in the Dubai Turf (G1, 1,800 meters) on April 5.

On Sunday, trainer Mamoru Ishibashi, who won the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) as a jockey in 2006 and opened his yard in 2014, registered his third graded and first G1 victory.

Jockey Yutaka Take earned his 84th Japan Racing Association G1 title. It was Take's record-extending fifth win in the Grand Prix (All-Star) race. He also triumphed in the Takarazuka Kinen aboard Inari One (1989), Mejiro McQueen (1993), Marvelous Sunday (1997) and Deep Impact (2006).

A Strong Finish for Meisho Tabaru

Quick out of stall 12, 4-year-old Meisho Tabaru promptly took the front to set the pace and continued to lead the All-Star field through the backstretch.

Although threatened by Bellagio Opera (Kazuo Yokoyama's ride) in the final corners, the Gold Ship colt found another gear after entering the stretch and pulled away tenaciously to capture his first G1 title with a comfortable three-length victory. (Watch the 66th Takarazuka Kinen on the JRA's YouTube channel.)

"My plan was to take the lead, and although I was unsure about the pace, I think we were able to race at just the right pace," the 56-year-old Take said.

"I knew the other horses were going to make a bid early but my mount had good momentum going around the fourth corner and I was hoping that he would manage to push through."

Meisho Tabaru completed the 2,200-meter race in 2 minutes, 11.1 seconds.

Bellagio Opera Secures 2nd Place in the Takarazuka Kinen

Race favorite Bellagio Opera broke smoothly and settled in fourth, 2-3 lengths behind the front three runners. As the field approached the final corner, the Lord Kanaloa bay shifted to the outside to make a bid. Then he entered the lane in second and, though unable to display his usual late charge, he managed to hold off the strong charge from behind to secure the runner-up seat.

Tenth choice Justin Palace (Michael Dee) saved ground around 14th, gradually switched to the outside in the backstretch and circled wide to enter the lane in 15th. The son of Deep Impact launched the fastest kick over the last three furlongs (35.1 seconds). And, while having too much ground to catch the front two finishers, he crossed the wire a neck behind the runner-up to finish third.

Shonan la Punta (Hideaki Miyuki) and Chuck Nate (Damian Lane) finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 17-horse race.