Japan: Efforia uses wide rally to take Tenno Sho
Efforia avenged a nose loss in the Grade 1 Japanese Derby in May with a victory in his first appearance against older horses in a tough running of the Grade 1 autumn Tenno Sho at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday.
Sent off as the favorite, Efforia ($5.50 in American pools) closed from sixth with a wide rally in a field of 16 to win by a length over the 4-year-old Contrail, a 2-1 chance who swept the 2020 Triple Crown in Japan. Gran Alegria, a five-time Grade 1 winner, finished third at 2-1, beaten 1 1/4 lengths.
Efforia became the first 3-year-old to win the $2.55 million Tenno Sho since Symboli Kris S in 2002.
Ridden by Takeshi Yokoyama, Efforia has won 5 of 6 starts. Yokoyama told Japan Racing Association publicists that a wide trip was most effective for Efforia.
“He’s a good starter and a clever racer, so I decided to believe in his ability and ride him without thinking too much,” Yokoyama said. “We were able to race in an ideal position and I didn’t insist on (the) inner (part of the) course as I knew that he can handle it even if we had to turn a little wider.”
The win could lead to a start in major races such as the Japan Cup on Nov. 28 and the Arima Kinen on Dec. 26.
Prior to the Japanese Derby, Efforia won the Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas at 1 1/4 miles at Nakayama Racecourse in April for Carrot Farm Co., Ltd., and trainer Yuichi Shikato.