Japan: Songline takes Yasuda Kinen, gains BC Mile berth
In February, the Japanese-bred 4-year-old filly Songline won the Group 3 1351 Sprint on the undercard of the Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia, her first journey away from Japan.
On Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse, Songline won her first Grade 1 stakes in her fourth appearance in a race at that level in the $2.65 million Yasuda Kinen for turf milers.
The race has international implications of its own. The win gives Songline an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland in November.
Songline ($15.20) closed from the middle of a field of 18 to reach contention with a wide rally on the turn. Songline caught 18-1 Salios in the final sixteenth and held off 7-2 favorite Schnell Meister to win by a neck. Salios held third.
The first three finishers earned berths for two Group 1 races in France in late summer – the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in August and the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp in September.
Songline was ridden by Kenichi Ikezoe for owner Sunday Racing Co., and trainer Toru Hayashi.
“She broke well, and I decided to settle her behind Salios, who rushed up in front of us,” Ikezoe said. “We made an early bid (on the turn) and she responded well and stretched all the way for a strong finish.”
A 4-year-old filly by Kizuna, Songline has won 5 of 11 starts. She won two stakes in Japan last year – the minor Kobai Stakes at seven furlongs at Chukyo Racecourse and the Grade 2 Fuji Stakes at a mile at Tokyo last October.
Last month, Songline was fifth in the Grade 1 Victoria Mile for fillies and mares at Tokyo Racecourse. She was second in the Grade 1 NHK Mile for 3-year-olds at Tokyo in May 2021, losing narrowly to Schnell Meister.