Admire Mars, Saturnalia square off in Japanese 2000 Guineas

Admire Mars, the champion 2-year-old male in Japan in 2018, and the undefeated Saturnalia will meet for the first time in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas at Nakayama Racecourse, a showdown of the two leading 3-year-old prospects this year.

Admire Mars was beaten for the first time in his fifth start when second to Danon Kingly in the Grade 3 Kyodo News Hai at 1 1/8 miles at Tokyo Racecourse on Feb. 10. Danon Kingly is part of the Japanese 2000 Guineas field and also rated as a leading contender.

Saturnalia will be favored. Perfect in three starts, Saturnalia won the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Nakayama Racecourse on Dec. 28 in his most recent outing.

The colt has a pedigree with a slight American flavor. Saturnalia is by Lord Kanaloa and is out of Cesario, who won the Grade 1 American Oaks at Hollywood Park in 2005.

The $2.16 million Japanese 2000 Guineas, formally known as the Satsuki Sho, is run at 1 1/4 miles on turf and drew a field of 18.

Saturnalia, trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, drew post 12 and will be ridden by Christophe Lemaire.