Japan: Akaitorino Musume rallies, gains upset in Shuka Sho
Akaitorino Musume was a Grade 3 winner at a mile in her stakes debut in Japan in February. Longer races have defined her career in recent months.
In May, Akaitorino Musume was second in the Grade 1 Japanese Oaks at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo Racecourse. On Sunday at Hanshin Racecourse, Akaitorino Musume was the upset winner of the Grade 1 Shuka Sho, a $1.7 million race for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles.
Ridden by Keita Tosaki, Akaitorino Musume ($21.30) was rated in sixth in a field of 14 before launching a wide rally on the turn. Akaitorino Musume caught 50-1 pacesetter A Shin Hiten in the final sixteenth and held off 9-2 Fine Rouge to win by a half-length.
“I was able to settle the filly in good position, and race her in good rhythm,” Tosaki told Japan Racing Association publicity.
“She responded willingly, and stretched really well in the lane. I think she is a strong horse and felt that she has stepped up to the next level.”
Andvaranaut (7-1) finished third, while 9-10 favorite Sodashi finished 10th, fading from contention in the stretch.
Akaitorino Musume, by Deep Impact, is out of Apapane, who won the 2010 Japanese Triple Crown for 3-year-old fillies which consists of the 1000 Guineas in April, the Japanese Oaks and the Shuka Sho. Apapane was the champion 2-year-old filly of 2009 and 3-year-old filly of 2010 in Japan.
Akaitorino Musume, who races for Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd., and trainer Sakae Kunieda, has won 4 of 7 starts. She was fourth in the Japanese 1000 Guineas in her Grade 1 debut in April.