Japan: Jantar Mantar easily wins NHK Mile

Jantar Mantar, Japan’s champion 2-year-old male of 2023, returned to a mile for the first time since December and in the process ended a two-race losing streak in Sunday’s Grade 1 NHK Mile for 3-year-olds on turf at Tokyo Racecourse.

Jantar Mantar, who paid $5.10 in American pools as the favorite in a field of 18, finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of Ascoli Piceno, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2023.

Ascoli Piceno, the 8-5 second choice, had a dreadful trip through the stretch. She was checked and clipped heels with a rival when jockey Christophe Lemaire attempted to move the filly between runners. Ascoli Piceno recovered to close well through the final furlong, finishing a neck in front of third-place finisher Logi Leon (41-1).

Lemaire returned to riding this weekend after sustaining a collarbone injury on the Dubai World Cup program undercard in the United Arab Emirates in late March.

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Jantar Mantar, who was ridden by Yuga Kawada, stalked the pace before moving into third on the turn. Jantar Mantar took the lead with more than a furlong remaining.

“I had every confidence in my colt,” Kawada told Japan Racing Association publicists. “I knew he was going to win. There were no doubts in my mind. He ran in a good rhythm and showed his true strength.”

Jantar Mantar won his second Grade 1 race in the $1.84 million NHK Mile. He won the Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity at a mile last December to clinch the seasonal championship.

Jantar Mantar started twice earlier this year, finishing second by 1 1/2 lengths in a Grade 3 at 1 1/8 miles at Tokyo on Feb. 11, and third by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas at 1 1/4 miles at Nakayama on April 14.

Though he was not beaten far in those races, Jantar Mantar was unable to replicate his win in the Asahi Hai Futurity.

By Palace Malice, Jantar Mantar has won 4 of 6 starts in his career for Shadai Race Horse Co., Ltd., and trainer Tomokazu Takano.

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