Japan: Jack d'Or takes Osaka Hai in stakes-record time
Jack d’Or needed a stakes-record time to win his first Grade 1 in his 2023 debut in Sunday’s $2.98 million Osaka Hai for older horses in Japan.
Ridden by Yutaka Take, Jack d’Or ($9.10) disputed the early pace at Hanshin Racecourse and held a clear lead in the stretch. Jack d’Or held off a late challenge from 9-5 favorite Stars on Earth to win by a nose, finishing 1 1/4 miles on turf in 1:57.40.
The previous stakes record of 1:58.20 was set by Suave Richard in 2018. The course record is 1:57.20.
Jack d’Or set a solid pace of 47.50 for the opening half-mile and 1:10.60 for six furlongs. Danon the Kid (26-1) finished third in the field of 16. Geraldina, the champion older female in Japan in 2022, finished sixth, while Potager, the upset winner of the 2022 Osaka Hai, finished 10th.
Take, 54, became the oldest jockey to win a Grade 1 on Jack d’Or. For Take, a former leading rider in Japan, the Osaka Hai was his 80th career Grade 1.
“I owe it to all the many great horses I was able to ride,” Take told Japan Racing Association publicity. “I will do my best to extend this record even further.”
Take said he planned to have Jack d’Or on the front with a good start.
“He was a bit keen to go” early in the race,” Take said. Jack d’Or “raced in a good rhythm thereafter. I think it was tough for him because of the headwind in the stretch, but I had a feeling that we were able to hold off the chasing horses when we crossed the wire."
Jack d’Or, a 5-year-old horse by Maurice, races for Toshiyuki Maehara and trainer Kenichi Fujioka. A winner of 8 of 14 starts, Jack d’Or has won four stakes, including two Grade 2 races at 1 1/4 miles in 2002. The Osaka Hai was Jack d’Or’s fourth career start in a Grade 1 or Group 1 race.
Jack d’Or was fourth behind 2022 Japanese Horse of the Year Equinox in the Grade 1 autumn running of the Tenno Sho last October, and seventh in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup at 1 1/4 miles in Hong Kong in December, his last start of 2022.
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