Japan: Equinox locks up 3-year-old male championship with Arima Kinen victory

Equinox finished second in his first two starts in Grade 1 races in Japan in the spring. Against older horses, Equinox has been unbeatable.

On Sunday at Nakayama Racecourse, Equinox ($4.90) won Japan’s richest race in the $6.5 million Arima Kinen at 1 9/16 miles. The win secured Equinox’s status as the champion 3-year-old male of 2022, and the likely title of Japan’s Horse of the Year.

Ridden by Christophe Lemaire, Equinox closed from ninth in a field of 16 to take the lead in early stretch.

“We were able to make a good start and the horse was keen to go,” Lemaire told Japan Racing Association publicity.

“He responded strongly when I brought him to the outside. Though he was not mature yet during spring campaign, he became really strong from the fall and I look forward to his performance next year.”

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Equinox pulled clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths over 14-1 Boldog Hos. The 4-year-old Geraldina, one of four fillies and mares in the field, finished third at 6-1.

Vela Azul (9-1) could only finish 10th in his first start since a win in the Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on Nov. 27.

Equinox, by Kitasan Black, has won 4 of 6 starts for Silk Racing Co., Ltd., and trainer Tetsuya Kimura.

Equinox, was second in the Japanese 2000 Guineas and Japanese Derby. Equinox won the Grade 1 autumn running of the Tenno Sho at 1 1/4 miles at Tokyo Racecourse on Oct. 30.

The Arima Kinen field is partially determined by a poll with the rest eligible via earnings.

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