G1, The Japanese 2000 Guineas
| Japan (JPN) Saturday, April 2, 2022 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID : 2801238 | |
| The Japanese 2000 Guineas | |
| Grade I / Group 1*CPU – Purse : $750,000 | |
| Restricted to 3 Year Olds | |
| 10 Furlongs | ~2000 Meters | One Mile and One Quarter | Firm Turf |
We are headed to Japan this weekend where we will see the running of the G1, The Japanese 2000 Guineas. This race will be at the distance of 10 furlongs and across the firm turf at post time. We have a full field of fourteen three year olds that will run in Saturday’s event and the field looks strong and competitive. The odds and the post positions have been drawn for this race, so let us now take a preview of the fourteen entries that will be running here on Saturday in the G1, The Japanese 2000 Guineas.
| 1 | HAIL GALILEO | IRE | 3M | texasace00 | T Small | 4 | 3 | 100% | $128,560 | 20.00 | 7/1 |
This Bay Colt is a scratch bred (GALILEO (IRE) x DYNAFORMER x STREET CRY). This horse has four prior starts and has never missed the boards. He has won his three most recent starts and is currently on a hot streak of which he wished to extend this Saturday. Last time out we saw him run in Belgium on 02/12/2022 going 9 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Mat Jodie Turf Memorial. He stayed just off the lead in the early parts of this race, but when they turned down the stretch, he found his way to the front to pick up the win by a half at the wire with a 99 speed rating. This horse is coming out on Saturday for his firs Graded start and the owner is confident that he can go the distance when he breaks from his gate representing the DelPenn National residency.
| 2 | HARABORNO | IRE | 3M | deyoto9 | C Johnson | 4 | 1 | 100% | $76,310 | 12.00 | 14/1 |
The next horse we will see is this Bay Colt sired by Camelot (CAMELOT (GB) x FASTNET ROCK (AUS) x NUREYEV). He broke his maiden first time out last August and has come in second in his three outings since then. Last time out this horse ran on 01/30/2022 going 9.5 furlongs in Vermont in a Listed Stakes, Z Celebre Turf Route. He was attempting a gate to wire trip, but down the stretch for home he lost his lead to cross the wire in second with a 96 speed rating. The owner brings his horse now to Japan to see if he can get him a win in his first Graded attempt. This is a big jump in Class for this horse, but if he can get out in front and open up a gap he could find a trip to the winners circle when he goes out to represent the Midas residency.
| 3 | RELIQUARY GUARDIAN | JPN | 3M | zilzal | N Armstrong | 9 | 3 | 89% | $152,344 | 16.00 | 11/1 |
This is a Bay Colt that was sired by Talismanic (TALISMANIC x FRANKEL (GB) x SEEKING THE GOLD). This horse has nine prior starts and seven of those starts were across this track in Japan. After winning a Local Allowance race here in Japan two starts back he then came back out for his most recent trip in India on 02/26/2022 to travel 9 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Debees Belief Turf Route. He was trying to make another gate to wire trip in this race but got run down in the stretch and crossed the wire in second with a 97 speed rating. The jockey will most like take this horse out to lead early if he can get there when they head out off the gate representing the Pastures Of Green residency.
| 4 | CALI ADVENTURE | CA | 3M | nxtfuture2 | B F Abman | 7 | 3 | 86% | $266,835 | 88.25 | 7/1 |
Next, we will see this Roan Colt who was sired by Prospect Park (PROSPECT PARK x SMART STRIKE x AWESOME AGAIN). This horse transitioned from the dirt over to running on the turf back in December of last season. He seems to like the turf and has not missed the boards in his last three stars on the grass. Two races back he ran third in the G2, Fainting Goat Nightmares Stakes with a 101 speed rating. He then came back out on 02/12/2022 to go 9 furlongs in Vermont in the G1, Vermont Is 4 Lovers on the turf. This late closer made a driving effort in his stretch run after finding himself over ten lengths back at the third call. He picked off horses and found a second place finish with a 100 speed rating. With two strong back to back Graded finishes to his credit the owner brings his big closer to Japan to see if he can collect his share of Guineas when they come out of the paddock representing the East-West Connection residency.
| 5 | RICH AUSSIE JAN | AUS | 3M | fdllodgeg | H Desitter | 10 | 4 | 80% | $1,135,030 | 161.25 | 12/1 |
Here we have this Roan Colt who was sired by No Nay Never (NO NAY NEVER x EL PRADO x STRAWBERRY ROAD). He has ten prior starts and has run his last five starts at the Graded level. He is a prior Grade one winner and that came two starts back when he ran here in Japan in the G1, The Futurity. He was four back at the third call and then found some extra effort in his stretch run and timed it right to get the win by a quarter with a 98 speed rating. He was then sent out for his most recent start in China on 02/26/2022 when he went 8 furlong in the G1, 2022 Equinics. It would be a difficult race for him against that field and he ran fairly flat when he was never a factor crossing the wire in tenth. The owner looks for his horse to rebound in this race, but he has never traveled more than 8 furlongs in any prior starts. He will need to show he can go the distance when he makes his way over to his post draw representing the All-Stars Racing residency.
| 6 | HYDRUS | IRE | 3M | givenglory | Q Cassell | 6 | 4 | 83% | $526,041 | 196.00 | 7/1 |
Coming out next will be this Bay Colt who is a scratch bred (SEA THE STARS x NUREYEV x SADLER’S WELLS). Three starts back this horse got a win in the G3, The Condo For Rent. He followed that up with a third place finish here in Japan in the G1, Futurity. But his most recent start on 02/12/2022 came in Vermont going 9 furlongs in the G1, Vermont Is 4 Lovers which proved he was a top competitor when he went gate to wire for the win by one and a half with a 102 speed rating. His owner thinks he can go the extra furlong here in Japan this weekend and he looks to see his horse get out of the gate quick and to the front when he breaks from his gate representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 7 | SHAMAN DE GUERE | IRE | 3M | swmareshaack | J Selden | 4 | 2 | 75% | $68,510 | 5.00 | 14/1 |
Next we see this Chestnut Colt who was sired by Shaman (SHAMAN (IRE) x SADLER’S WELLS x MR. PROSPECTOR). He has four prior starts to his credit but coming to Japan will be his first Stakes start at any level. His last time out he ran on 02/18/2022 in Ireland going 9.5 furlongs in a $49700 NW2L Allowance. He seemed to like the distance and closed very nicely to get the win by one and three quarters with a 95 speed rating. Coming to Japan the owner looks to see his horse prove to be a competitor at this 10 furlong distance. He is pushing his horse to prove he can run against this Graded field and hopes to see some good fractions out of him during the race. They will saddle up in the paddock on Saturday and come out to represent the Latinos Del Mundo residency.
| 8 | WARBROOK | KY | 3M | deyoto9 | S L Ledwith | 8 | 4 | 75% | $177,550 | 17.13 | 5/1 |
Coming out next in the post parade will be this Bay Colt who was sired by War Front (WAR FRONT x CURLIN x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY). He had been running well on the dirt surface for his owner picking up three wins in seven starts. But in this horse’s most recent trip to the track the owner switched him over to the turf to run for the first time in Italy on 03/12/2022. He would travel 9.5 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Hopefully Rattle Turf Route. He took well to the turf and made a very nice gate to wire trip to get the win by two and a quarter with a 104 speed rating. The eyes are now set to see if the horse can get another win here in Japan at the Graded level on the turf after two failed Graded starts on the dirt. They will be headed over to their post draw on Saturday representing the Midas residency.
| 9 | PARYION | SAF | 3M | amir1699 | N Ambrose | 10 | 4 | 70% | $95,388 | 5.50 | 22/1 |
This Bay Colt was sired by Gimmethegreenlight (GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT (AUS) x ACCLAMATION x STORM CAT). This horse has mainly been running in Allowance races. After a Claiming start back in October of last year where he came out with a win and started to show some improvements when sent back to some Allowance starts. Last time out we saw this horse run on 02/27/2022 in India going 8 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Pleasant Neck Turf Mile. He found a spot early running in forth against this field. He never lost that spot and crossed the wire holding his position in this race with a 94 speed rating. The owner knows he needs to see continued improvement out of his horse here in Japan when they break from their post draw representing the Elite Racing Club residency.
| 10 | NAY LAKE BED | IRE | 3M | cothill | O Ridenour | 8 | 3 | 62% | $199,110 | 24.00 | 10/1 |
Here we have a Bay Colt who was sired by No Nay Never (NO NAY NEVER x ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) x A.P. INDY) and who is out of HOF mare, NH Lake Bed. This horse has a couple of prior Listed Stakes wins to his credit and a couple of third place finishes at the G3 level. His two most recent starts have been at the G2 level of which he has come up short in these 8 furlong races. The most recent of these came on 02/24/2022 in Victoria when he went 8 furlongs in the G2, The Golden Rose. He made some effort in his stretch run but it was only good enough to cross the wire in fifth with a 100 speed rating. The owner is in hope to see some improvement with the added distance in this race. It does appear this horse might benefit from some added distance and with a fluffle of rabbits in this race he could also benefit as a late closer if they start running out of gas. He will make his way out in the post parade on Saturday representing the British and European Racing Club residency.
| 11 | RABBIT VON POPPENS | AUS | 3M | deyoto9 | M Kiprusoff | 6 | 1 | 50% | $61,523 | 0.00 | 21/1 |
Next out we will see this Bay Colt who was sired by Dundeel (DUNDEEL (NZ) x FRANKEL (GB) x EXCEED AND EXCEL). Since breaking his Maiden on this fourth try back in September he has had two starts and both have been fruitless not finding the boards. Last time out he ran on 02/12/2022 in Turkey going 8.5 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Ball Ban Turf Route. He made up a little ground in his stretch run but was unable to move up in position as he crossed the wire in seventh with a 90 speed rating. Perhaps a nice horse with a promising future, but he appears to be out classed against this big field of bruisers. He will need to show up much improved when he comes out to represent the Midas residency.
| 12 | WOETTE’S DUNGEON | IRE | 3G | woette6 | E C Doyle | 6 | 2 | 50% | $51,361 | 8.00 | 13/1 |
This is a Bay Gelding that was sired by Magna Grecia (MAGNA GRECIA (IRE) x REDOUTE’S CHOICE x KINGMAMBO). This horse continues to improve his speed ratings with each start and coming into his first Graded start on Saturday he will need to race hard again in Japan. His last time out we saw him run on 03/04/2022 going 9 furlongs in New Jersey in a Listed Stakes, Forty Wool Turf Route. He put up his best speed rating of 101 in that race and found the wire in third. He may need to run that speed or best it to get on the boards here in Japan when he breaks from his gate representing The Mecca residency.
| 13 | THAT WASN’T ME | AUS | 3M | 7legends | K Banner | 4 | 4 | 100% | $142,920 | 24.00 | 6/1 |
Next up we have this Bay Colt who was sired by Dundeel (DUNDEEL (NZ) x DANSILI (GB) x KINGMAMBO). Thus far he has not failed in his four prior starts for the owner as he picks up a win in each of those races. Last time out this horse ran very nicely in Louisiana on 02/05/2022 when he went 8.5 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Monjeux Turf Route. He would again be in form as he makes his fourth gate to wire trip for the win in a row with a 103 speed rating. This horse will get his first Graded start and will need to show that speed can last another furlong and a half her in Japan. He will most likely join the other colony of horses fighting for the lead up front when he breaks from his gate representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 14 | BERET SOLDIER | JPN | 3M | deyoto6 | W Desantis | 4 | 3 | 100% | $123,225 | 20.00 | 12/1 |
We come to our final entry in this race, and he is a Chestnut Colt who was sired by Heart’s Cry (HEART’S CRY (JPN) x REDOUTE’S CHOICE x PIVOTAL). This colt has never missed the boards in his four prior starts and never finished worse than second. He is on a hot streak with three wins in a row to his credit and looks to add to that number. Last time out we saw this horse racing in New Zealand on 02/11/2022 in a Listed Stakes, Closer To Redemption. He had no troubles in this race going 9.5 furlongs for a gate to wire trip for the win and a 96 speed rating. He may have to show improvement in that speed here in Japan, but he looks good for the distance when he comes out to represent the Midas residency.
Good luck to all owners and horses!
Skippy’s Watch List
4-Cali Adventure: Ran second last out in Vermont. Will the added furlong help him?
6-Hydrus: Coming in off a big G1 win in Vermont last time out. Does he repeat that effort?
8-Warbrook: Looked good in first turf trip last time out. Can he prove he wants to take this one?
Tarton’s Long Shot
10-Nay Lake Bed: In his two most recent starts he ran in G2 races unsuccessfully but keeps showing improvement in his speed with each start. He has tried to close late in some of his starts and that may work to his advantage in this one if he can find a good spot and make a big effort in his stretch run. Going off at 10/1 in this field the horse still may have a good shot against this field of rabbits. Let’s see if he can put it back together here in Japan and find a spot on the boards. He could surprise and make us some money at the betting window on some right ticket combinations.
Great stuff, thanks Gus!