Japan: Energico has no trouble with distance, takes Kikuka Sho

Energico missed the Grade 1 Japanese Derby on June 1 because of illness. He made up for his absence from that classic race with his second graded stakes win in Sunday’s Kikuka Sho for 3-year-old colts and fillies at the testing distance of 1 7/8 miles at Kyoto Racecourse.

Ridden by Christophe Lemaire, Energico had no trouble with the longest race of his career.

Energico, who paid $5.60 in American pools as the favorite, raced toward the back of the field of 18 for the first mile. Lemaire moved the colt closer to the front with a wide move with a half-mile remaining, and made a sustained run while wide through the turn.

Energico took the lead with more than a furlong remaining and won by two lengths over 4-1 Eri King. Energico gave Lemaire his third consecutive win in the $2.74 million Kikuka Sho, also known as the Japanese St. Leger. Lemaire resides in Kyoto.

“Energico has lots of stamina, and although he is not so sharp out of the gate, we had plenty of time to keep patient and make our way to a good spot,” Lemaire told Japan Racing Association publicity. “I took the opportunity to grab a good route on the outside and the colt responded well with a lasting finishing speed.”

Eri King, fifth in the Japanese Derby, finished three-quarters of a length over 96-1 Excite Bio.

Energico, a colt by Duramente, has won 4 of 5 starts for Silk Racing Co., Ltd., and trainer Mizuki Takayanagi.

Energico was second by a half-length in the Grade 3 Niigata Kinen for 3-year-olds and older horses at 1 1/4 miles at Niigata Racecourse on Aug. 31 in his only loss. He won a Grade 2 race at 1 1/2 miles in April in what was intended to be a prep race for the Japanese Derby.

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