Japan: Panja Tower ($84.80) uses late surge to win NHK Mile

Panja Tower was a forgotten 3-year-old in Japan, until the final furlong of Sunday’s Grade 1 NHK Mile at Tokyo Racecourse.

Dismissed at 41-1 in American pools, Panja Tower closed from 10th of 18 with three furlongs remaining, rallying seven-wide. Panja Tower steadily progressed toward the front and held off late threats from Magic Sands and Cerbiatto to win by a head.

“We were able to sit in a good position, but the rhythm was more of an important factor and I’m happy he ran steadily in good rhythm,” winning jockey Kohei Matsuyama told Japan Racing Association publicists. “The way he stretched today proves he has a bright future.”

Magic Sands (13-1) finished a nose in front of 75-1 Cerbiatto. Admire Moon, the 7-5 favorite, finished 14th, beaten six lengths. Jockey Yuga Kawada told Japan Racing Association publicists that Admire Zoom lost a shoe about a quarter-mile into the race.

Panja Tower, a colt by the Raven Pass stallion Tower of London, ended a two-race losing streak in the $1.74 million NHK Mile for 3-year-olds. Trained by Shinsuke Hashiguchi for Deep Creek Co., Ltd., Panja Tower has won 3 of 5 starts.

Panja Tower, who paid $84.80 on Sunday, won his debut in a six-furlong race for first-time starters last September, and the Grade 2 Keio Hai Nisai at seven furlongs at Tokyo in November. Panja Tower finished 12th behind Admire Moon in the Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity at Kyoto last December in his final start of 2024.

In his first start this year, Panja Tower was fourth in the Grade 3 Falcon Stakes at Chukyo Racecourse on March 22.

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