Japan: Jantar Mantar notches third straight victory with Asahi Hai Futurity

A ground-saving trip helped the undefeated colt Jantar Mantar extend his unbeaten streak to three races, and make a compelling case for champion 2-year-old male of 2023, in Sunday’s Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan.

Ridden by Yuga Kawada, Jantar Mantar stalked the pace in the middle of a field of 17 from post 3 and remained on the inside until he took the lead in early stretch. Jantar Mantar was allowed to drift away from the inside through the stretch, but was always clear.

Sent off favored, Jantar Mantar (who paid $5.30 in American pools) held off a late run from 8-1 Ecoro Walz to win the one-mile race around one turn by 1 1/4 lengths.

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“I urged him to go a bit earlier than planned, as it didn’t seem like we were going to get a clear path,” Kawada told Japan Racing Association publicity. “He has a good character and he’s a highly capable horse, so I think he will continue to grow. I look forward to his future races.”

Tagano Elpida (14-1) finished third, beaten two lengths.

Jantar Mantar, by Palace Malice, won a race for first-time starters at 1 1/8 miles at Kyoto on Oct. 8, and won the Grade 2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes at a mile at Kyoto on Nov. 11, closing from third.

Kawada, the leading rider at JRA tracks, rode Jantar Mantar for the first time in the $1.07 million Asahi Hai Futurity.

Jantar Mantar is owned by Shadai Race Horse Co., Ltd., and trained by Tomokazu Takano.

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