Japan: Ascoli Piceno sets stakes record in taking Hanshin Juvenile Fillies

Ascoli Piceno remained unbeaten after three starts with a stakes-record performance in the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at a mile on turf at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan on Sunday.

The victory in the $863,300 race assures Ascoli Piceno of the 2-year-old filly championship.

Ridden by Hiroshi Kitamura, Ascoli Piceno ($10.90 in American pools) closed from the middle of a field of 18 to lead in the final sixteenth, holding off a late threat from 7-1 Stellenbosch to win by a neck.

Corazon Beat, sixth early, rallied wide to reach contention in the stretch, but could not keep pace with Ascoli Piceno. Corazon Beat (9-2) was beaten 1 1/2 lengths, ending a three-race winning streak.

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Ascoli Piceno was timed in stakes-record time of 1:32.60, slightly slower than the course record of 1:32.30.

“The filly broke better than in her previous start,” Kitamura told Japan Racing Association publicity. She “was relaxed during the race and responded well in the stretch.

“I was a bit worried for a second that we were going to get caught, but she gave her all.”

Catfight, the 3-1 favorite, did not pose a threat in the stretch and finished 10th.

Ascoli Piceno, by Daiwa Major, won a seven-furlong race for first-time starters at Tokyo Racecourse on June 24, and her stakes debut in the Grade 3 Niigata Nisai Stakes at a mile at Niigata Racecourse on Aug. 27. Ascoli Piceno closed from fifth in a field of 12 to win by a length at Niigata.

Ascoli Piceno is owned by Sunday Racing Co., Ltd, and is trained by Yoichi Kuroiwa.

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