Japan: Puro Magic leads all the way in Sprinters Stakes

Puro Magic, 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar last November, led throughout Sunday’s Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes at six furlongs on turf at Nakayama Racecourse in Japan, her first win in a race at the highest level in her fifth start in a Grade 1 or Group 1 race.

Puro Magic, who paid $55.20 in American pools, led throughout the $2.09 million Sprinters Stakes, the eighth win in her 22-race career.

Ridden by Mirai Iwata, Puro Magic was two lengths clear midway through the race, and led by three lengths in early stretch. A 5-year-old mare, Puro Magic’s advantage dissipated rapidly in the final sixteenth. She held on to win by a neck over 9-1 World’s End, who finished a neck in front of 25-1 Sound Moryana in a field of 16.

Star Anise, the even-money favorite, finished fourth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. The also-rans included three previous winners of the Sprinters Stakes. Win Carnelian, the 2025 winner, finished sixth, while Mama Cocha, the 2023 winner, was 10th. Lugal, who won in 2024, ran 14th.

Puro Magic finished eighth in the Sprinters Stakes in 2024 and was eighth last year. In 2025, Puro Magic had her final start in Japan in the Sprinters Stakes before the loss at Del Mar. Sunday’s race was Puro Magic’s sixth stakes win. She has won five Grade 3 races in Japan since May 2024.

Puro Magic, by Asia Express, is trained by Shogo Yasuda for Three H Racing Co., Ltd.

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