A New Champion
The Japan Classic 2005
This year’s 2005 Japan Classic champion, Jupiter’s Moon, trained in Ireland, by coolk, came off of a second place finish in his last race and came into the Japan Classic at (9/1) odds. Clearly not holding much hope in the handicapper’s eyes. He ran steadily in third place for the first half of the race, only to literally fly by the number three horse, Turning Japanese, and the number eight horse, A Gold City, to hold onto the lead for the remaining five furlongs.
The 2004 Japan Classic champion, Rain God, came in, in a disappointing second. In the history of the Japan Classic, Joe Cayenne has been the only horse to win the two million dollar race, ran on twelve furlongs of turf, against tough competition, two years in a row; in 2001 and 2002. The four year old brown colt, Rain God, trained by kevoman3, stayed in Jupiter’s Moon’s shadow wire to wire.
Sunnybank Memorial stayed low, seventh in the field of twelve, making a stunning performance, crossing the finish line in third. Beaten by a nose, his trainer sunnybank, agreed that, given more ground, his colt could have been this year’s 2005 Japan Classic champion.
The favorite of the field, Allied Assault, looked to have other plans, as he crossed the finish line in fourth place. The five year old, though he had looked amazing in his work-outs, didn’t show his true potential on Saturday. Maybe next year he’ll get another chance.
The rest of the field put in a disappointing performance, not showing any of the speed these runners had. In order from fifth to twelfth, this is how the field played out:
A Gold City, the number eight horse, came in fifth. Pretty impresive for a four year old filly against tough competition from the colts.
Sadler’s Pye, another filly, took sixth, followed by the number three horse, Turning Japanese, a five year old mare, both thirteen and a half lengths back.
Horseshoe Bay came in eighth, followed by Grand Craffreys, Minesweeper, and Rage More Piper.
Fat Seth, a seven year old chestnut stallion came in dead last, trailing the field twelve lengths behind.
Can Jupiter’s Moon make history next year, if his trainer gives him the chance, or will there be a new champion?