Favorite Wins Shimko Classic

The weather for the mile and seven sixteenths Shimko Classic, held on the turf, here in Japan, came up as expected. The weather fair with the track listed as firm for the fifteenth race on the card for Saturday raceday. The ten horse field all loaded quickly and easily into the starting gate this Saturday afternoon, the tense moments ticking by as they waited in the gates for the bell to ring and the race to commence.

Out of the gate to an early lead by a mere head was yahoo owned From Sin City (IRE), leading by that narrow heads margin over Case Study, trained by broadbrush. One and one-fourth lengths back into third was simsters8 owned Rosenthal (IRE). In fourth and fifth were songcycle trained Minesweeper along with Bbors Baby Tune, owned by bbor3. Trailing the field early on was race favorite Horseshoe Bay, owned by texasace, who was trailing the leader by eight and three-fourth lengths.

From Sin City (IRE) increased his lead over Case Study to one-fourth of a length, the two colts still battling for the lead. Two lengths back now was Rosenthal (IRE). Minesweeper and Bbors Baby Tune still held on to fourth and fifth. Running back in sixth was bewitched trained American Electric with Rural Law (IRE), trained by vettori running solidly in seventh. Still trailing the field, now back by twelve and a half lengths was favorite Horseshoe Bay and jockey G. Arnold.

Coming towards the stretch Rosenthal (IRE) had snatched the lead away and was leading by three and three-fourth lengths over fading From Sin City (IRE). Moving up into third was Minesweeper with Case Study dropping back into fourth. Beginning to make his move now was favorite Horseshoe Bay who now found himself in fifth. Running steady still in sixth was American Electric along with Rural Law (IRE) in seventh. Still holding ground in eighth place was boldrule99 owned Celebrity Swain (IRE). Fading quickly and dropping back into ninth was Bbors Baby Tune. Now trailing the field as they came for home by nineteen and three-fourth lengths was Tow The Dark, trained by jjfalcon.

Now the field was thundering at the wire, the front runners fading, the closers gaining ground with every ground-eating gallop. They crossed the wire and it was the closing pre-race favorite Horseshoe Bay to win the race by three and one-fourth lengths with a speed figure set of one hundred fifteen. Coming in for second was Rosenthal (IRE) with Minesweeper in third.

Also Rans include: American Electric, Celebrity Swain (IRE), Rural Law (IRE), From Sin City (IRE), Case Study, Bbors Baby Tune, and Tow The Dark.