Japan: Justin Palace shows off stamina with 2-mile Tenno Sho victory
From the start of his career, Justin Palace has thrived at long-distance races in Japan.
Justin Palace began his career in September 2021 with a win in a maiden race for 2-year-old first-time starters at 1 1/4 miles at Chukyo Racecourse.
Well into Justin Palace’s 4-year-old season, the theme is unchanged.
Justin Palace is a true stayer, and displayed his stamina with a win in Sunday’s spring running of the Grade 1 Tenno Sho at two miles at Kyoto Racecourse.
Justin Palace ($9.80) closed from ninth in a field of 17 to win by 2 1/2 lengths over 29-1 Deep Bond, who led in early stretch. The $3.1 million race changed dramatically on the final turn when Titleholder, the 3-5 favorite, sustained a leg injury and was pulled up.
Titleholder was under examination after the race, according to Japan Racing Association publicity. Titleholder won the 2022 spring running of the Tenno Sho.
Justin Palace was ridden by Christophe Lemaire for trainer Haruki Sugiyama and trainer Masahiro Miki.
“The horse was calm throughout the race and I was sure that he was going to win when we moved up behind Deep Bond and entered the straight,” Lemaire told JRA publicity. “He has become a super horse over long distances.”
A 4-year-old colt by Deep Impact, Justin Palace has won 5 of 10 starts. The Tenno Sho was Justin Palace’s first win in a Grade 1 and third graded stakes win.
Justin Palace won a Grade 2 race at 1 3/8 miles last September and the Grade 2 Hanshin Daishoten at 1 7/8 miles at Hanshin Racecourse on March 19 in his only other start this year.
Justin Palace was third in the Grade 1 Japanese St. Leger at 1 7/8 miles for 3-year-olds last October and seventh behind 2022 Japanese Horse of the Year Equinox in the Grade 1 Arima Kinen at 1 9/16 miles on Dec. 25.
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