Japan: Going to Sky steps up with Japanese St. Leger triumph

Going to Sky, a Grade 2 winner in April who was fourth in the Grade 1 Japanese Derby in May, won by far the most prestigious race of his career in the Grade 1 Japanese St. Leger at Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday.

The win ended a two-race losing streak for Going to Sky, who paid $26.60 in American pools. The Japanese St. Leger, run at a stamina-testing 1 7/8 miles on turf, was the third division of the Japanese Triple Crown.

Lovcen, the even-money favorite, finished 14th of 18 on Sunday after a poor start. Lovcen won the first two legs of the Triple Crown – the 2000 Guineas in April and the Japanese Derby, and was attempting to become the first horse to sweep the series since Contrail in 2020.

Going to Sky, who is by Contrail, was ridden by 57-year-old legend Yutaka Take for trainer Yuki Uehaha. Going to Sky gave Take a record sixth win in the Japanese St. Leger, a race formally known as the Kikuka Sho. Take won the race for the first time in 1988.

On Sunday, Take had Going to Sky in midpack, well behind King Glory, who tore off to lead by 20 to 25 lengths through the first mile. The margin began to diminish on the final turn. Take guided Going to Sky between runners, and overcame some traffic in early stretch, to reach contention with a furlong remaining. By then, King Glory, who was 122-1 in Japanese pools, had faded from the front.

Going to Sky was briefly clear in the final furlong before 21-1 Besse Terre closed to miss by a nose. Danon History, the 7-5 favorite, finished third, beaten a length.

The $2.67 million Japanese St. Leger was the fourth consecutive race that Take rode Going to Sky.

“I knew there were some strong horses in the field, but I wanted to focus on riding my own race,” Take told Japan Racing Association publicity. “I’ve ridden this colt several times now, and I’d given a lot of thought to how best to ride him.

“He settled nicely in a good spot along the rail, and I felt we were in a very good rhythm. I decided to wait and make our move in the stretch. He responded well once given a green light and with about 200 meters to go, I thought we might win.”

Going to Sky, who races for Field Racing, has won 3 of 6 starts. He won the Grade 2 Aoba Sho at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo Racecourse in April, his only other stakes wins.

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