Jaguar Mail rallies to win Spring Tenno Sho

Jaguar Mail handled the step up in distance to two miles to win the Grade 1, $2.7 million Spring Tenno Sho at Kyoto on Sunday, defeating defending titleholder Meiner Kitz by three-quarters of a length. The Noriyuki Hori-trained son of Jungle Pocket, ridden by Australian Craig Williams, rallied to lead 50 yards from the line while traveling the distance in 3:15.70 on firm ground.

The 6-year-old winner of Japan's most prestigious race for stayers had been keeping better company than most of his rivals while competing at or around 1 1/2 miles of late. Owned by Kazumi Yoshida, he had been a sharp second last time on Feb. 20 in the 1 3/8-mile, Grade 2 Kyoto Kinen to subsequent Dubai Sheema Classic runner-up Buena Vista. Out of the Sunday Silence mare Haya Beni Komachi, he proved Sunday that his stamina extends to two miles.

Sent off at 4.90-1, Jaguar Mail had the 112-1 longshot Meisho Dontaku back in third, five lengths behind Meiner Kitz. The 8-5 favorite Forgettable, winner on Feb. 14 of the 2 1/8-mile, Grade 3 Diamond Stakes at Tokyo, came home sixth, beaten 10 1/4 lengths.