Japan: Masquerade Ball broadens horizons with Tenno Sho triumph

Masquerade Ball rallied between rivals in early stretch to win Sunday’s autumn running of the Grade 1 Tenno Sho at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan. It was the 3-year-old colt’s first victory in a race at the highest level and his debut against older horses.

The win may lead to a start in a Grade 1 race in Japan in coming weeks and months, with the $7.07 million Japan Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo on Nov. 30, or the $7.07 million Arima Kinen at 1 9/16 miles at Nakayama on Dec. 28 as options.

Sunday’s Tenno Sho was run at 1 1/4 miles.

Masquerade Ball, who paid $4.40 in American pools as the favorite, closed from 10th in a field of 14 and fought through traffic briefly to reach the front in the final 100 yards. Masquerade Ball finished three-quarters of a length in front of 7-1 Museum Mile. Justin Palace (23-1) finished third, beaten a length.

The Tenno Sho was Masquerade Ball’s first start since a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Japanese Derby at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo on June 1.

There is a slight rise in early stretch at Tokyo, leading to a flat run to the finish over the last quarter-mile. Christophe Lemaire rode Masquerade Ball and said the colt accelerated once past the incline.

“Masquerade Ball found his own speed and another gear to outrun the rest to the wire,” Lemaire told Japan Racing Association publicity.

Lemaire said Masquerade Ball is improving.

“He’s matured and become stronger coming into the fall season and maybe could go for another Grade 1 this year,” Lemaire said. “If not, he will definitely be among the top horses next season.”

Owned by Shadai Race Horse Co. Ltd., and trained by Takahisa Tezuka, Masquerade Ball is by Duramente and has won 4 of 7 starts. He won a Grade 3 stakes at 1 1/8 miles in February and was later third in the Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas. Last December, Masquerade Ball was 11th of 18 in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at 1 1/4 miles.

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