Japan: Fierement repeats in spring Tenno Sho

Fierement won the springtime running of the Grade 1 Tenno Sho at Kyoto Racecourse in Japan on Sunday for the second consecutive year, but only by a nose over 63-1 Stiffelio.

Fierement, the even-money favorite, closed from seventh in a field of 14 to take the lead in the final strides under jockey Christophe Lemaire.

The $2.71 million Tenno Sho at two miles was Fierement’s first start since a fourth in the Grade 1 Arima Kinen at 1 9/16 miles at Nakayama Racecourse in December. Last October, Fierement was 12th in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris.

Lemaire told Japan Racing Association publicity that Fierement had to work harder than expected to win Sunday’s race. Fierement started from the outside post.

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“The pace was ideal and I was almost sure it would be an easy for win for us, but he wasn’t focused at times,” Lemaire said.

“It turned out we had to fight hard to the line. But in spite of the long distance and the wide draw, he was unhurried early in the race and had the strength left to charge home the way he did.”

Stiffelio finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of 10-1 Mikki Swallow.

The spring runnings of the Tenno Sho are the biggest wins of Fierement’s 10-race career, which includes five wins. As a 3-year-old in 2018, Fierement won the Grade 1 Japanese St. Leger for 3-year-old colts and fillies at 1 7/8 miles, a race formally known as the Kikuka Sho.

Fierement, a 5-year-old horse by Deep Impact, races for Sunday Racing Co. Ltd. and trainer Takahisa Tezuka.

Lemaire, 40, has won the last four runnings of the Tenno Sho series. He won the autumn running, which is contested at 1 1/4 miles, in 2018 on Rey de Oro and last year on Almond Eye.

Sunday’s Tenno Sho was run without spectators because of the coronavirus outbreak. After the race, Lemaire paid tribute to fans watching the race from home.

“I look forward to seeing them in the stands very soon,” he said.

Even without an ontrack audience, handle on the Tenno Sho was $157.7 million and $243.2 million on the 12-race program.