Deep Impact takes Crown

Deep Impact made history at Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday with his two-length victory in the 1 7/8-mile Grade 1 Kikuka Sho, or Japanese St. Leger, becoming the first winner of the Japanese Triple Crown since Symboli Rudolf in 1984.

A 3-year-old son of Sunday Silence, Deep Impact rallied from seventh under Yutaka Take in recording his seventh victory without a loss. Admire Japan was second, with Rosenkreuz four lengths farther back in third. Bred in Japan by Northern Farm, Deep Impact is out of the Alzao mare Wind in Her Hair, and is trained by Yasuo Ikee for Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd. His final time on firm ground was 3:04.60.

Under a peculiar rule in the Japanese parimutuel system, Deep Impact, the overwhelming favorite, returned only whatever stake was wagered on him to win. Six Sense was the second choice in the 16-runner field at 19-1.