Japan: Stars on Earth scores upset in Japanese 1000 Guineas
Stars on Earth overcame traffic issues in the stretch to record an upset win in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas for 3-year-old fillies at Hanshin Racecourse.
Stars on Earth ($29.80) closed from the middle of the field of 18 in the one-mile race to catch stretch leader Water Navillera, a 5-1 chance. Namura Clair (15-1) finished third, a half-length behind Stars on Earth, and a neck in front of fourth-place finisher Circle of Life, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2021 in Japan.
Circle of Life was the 7-2 second choice behind Namur, the 2-1 favorite who finished 10th.
Stars on Earth, who was ridden by Yuga Kawada for trainer Mizuki Takayanagi, sustained a bump with a rival in the final furlong, but recovered quickly to take the lead in the final stride.
Immediately after the race, Kawada was unsure whether Stars on Earth had reached the front.
“I’m just so glad that she actually snatched the win at the end,” Kawada told Japan Racing Association publicity. “I knew we had caught up, but couldn’t tell who’d won.
“The plan was to stay in mid-pack and let her run in a comfortable rhythm. It was definitely her strength and determination that shone and gave us the win.”
Kawada won the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar last November on Loves Only You.
By Duramente, Stars on Earth has won 2 of 6 starts. The $2.3 million Japanese 1000 Guineas was her first stakes win. Earlier this year, Stars on Earth was second in two Grade 3 races at a mile – the Fairy Stakes at Nakayama in January and the Queen Cup at Tokyo in February.
The Japanese 2000 Guineas is the first race of the Triple Crown for fillies that continues with the Grade 1 Japanese Oaks at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo Racecourse on May 22.