Japan: Bellagio Opera sets course record with Osaka Hai win

Bellagio Opera accented his second consecutive win in the Grade 1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan on Sunday with a course record of 1:56.40 for 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Bellagio Opera raced slightly off the pace in a field of 15 before moving closer to the front in early stretch. Ridden by Kazuo Yokoyama, Bellagio Opera (who paid $7.40 in American pools as the favorite) took the lead with a furlong remaining and finished a length in front of 6-1 Lord Del Rey. Yoho Lake (16-1) finished third, beaten two lengths.

Bellagio Opera had an early target in 23-1 Desierto, who had a significant lead in the first half of the race before fading to finish 14th.

Yokoyama told Japan Racing Association publicity that Bellagio Opera had his customary good start, and was comfortable as a stalker.

“I expected a fast pace, but being able to sit in an ideal position, and the horse finding his rhythm, were definitely the key factors in today’s win,” Yokoyama said.

Bellagio Opera ended a three-race losing streak on Sunday, all in Grade 1 races in Japan since the 2024 Osaka Hai. Bellagio Opera was fourth in the Grade 1 Arima Kinen last December, one of Japan’s toughest races for older horses. Bellagio Opera had his 2025 debut in the $3.93 million Osaka Hai.

“Although the horse hasn’t been able to show his true form since last year’s victory, I’m hoping that this will mark a new start for him, and that he’ll be able to demonstrate that he still has a lot of potential,” Yokoyama said.

A 5-year-old horse by Lord Kanaloa, Bellagio Opera has won 6 of 12 starts. Aside from the two runnings of the Osaka Hai, Bellagio Opera has won a Grade 2 and Grade 3 race in Japan, all at 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 miles.

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