Japan: Liberty Island up in time in Japanese 1000 Guineas

Liberty Island ended her 2-year-old season in December with a win in the Grade 1 Juvenile Fillies in Japan, a victory that led to her being the unanimous choice for champion filly of 2022.

Liberty Island’s status is unchanged. She remains the division leader in Japan. On Sunday, Liberty Island won the Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas for fillies at a mile at Hanshin Racecourse.

Liberty Island ($3 in American pools) caught stretch leader Kona Coast in the final furlong to win the one-mile race by three-quarters of a length. Kona Coast (19-1) finished a neck in front of 15-1 Perifania in a field of 18, all Japanese-bred fillies.

Liberty Island, by Duramente, was ridden by Yuga Kawada, who has been aboard the filly for all four of her starts. Kawada said Liberty Island was comfortable with a closing trip.

“I feel relieved to have done my job of guiding her to the wire in time,” Kawada told Japan Racing Association publicists.

“She wasn’t keen to hurry out of the gate, so the position was where it was going to be,” he said. “She was relaxed today, was in good rhythm in the race, and clicked into gear nicely.”

Owned by Sunday Racing Co. Ltd. and trained by Mitsumasa Nakauchida, Liberty Island has won three races.

The Japanese 1000 Guineas was the first race in the Triple Crown series for 3-year-old fillies that continues with the Grade 1 Japanese Oaks at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo Racecourse on May 21.