Efforia remains unbeaten with Japanese 2,000 Guineas win

Efforia maintained an unbeaten record with a victory in his Grade 1 debut in Sunday’s $2.27 million Japanese 2,000 Guineas at Nakayama Racecourse, a race in which 2020 Japanese 2-year-old champion male Danon the Kid finished 15th of 16.

Efforia (who paid $10.40 in American pools) was well positioned as a stalker early in the race at 1 1/4 miles. Ridden by Takeshi Yokoyama, Efforia raced in traffic briefly in the final three furlongs before finding running room.

“The pace wasn’t that fast, so we were able to cruise along in a good position,” Yokoyama told Japan Racing Association publicity. “We were a little tight going into the stretch.”

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Efforia finished three lengths in front of 19-1 Titleholder, who was a neck in front of 16-1 Stella Veloce.

Danon the Kid, the 7-2 favorite, was in the first half of the field for the initial mile, but faded quickly in the final furlong.

Efforia, by Epiphaneia, has won four races for owner U. Carrot Farm and trainer Yuichi Shikato. Efforia won his stakes debut in the Grade 3 Kyodo News Hai at 1 1/8 miles at Tokyo Racecourse on Feb. 14, his first start of 2021.

The Japanese 2000 Guineas was the first leg of a Triple Crown that continues with the Grade 1 Japanese Derby at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo Racecourse on May 30.