Japan: Stars on Earth twinkles in Japanese Oaks
Stars on Earth overcame traffic to win her Grade 1 debut in the Japanese 1000 Guineas in April. Her win in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese Oaks at Tokyo Racecourse was courtesy of a much smoother journey.
The excitement occurred before the start when Sound Vivace broke free and was eventually scratched after a delay.
Breaking from the outside, Stars on Earth ($11.70) closed from the middle of a field of 17 to reach contention in early stretch. Ridden by Christophe Lemaire, Stars on Earth won by 1 1/4 lengths over 24-1 Stunning Roe, who finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of 8-1 Namur.
The $2.39 million Japanese Oaks was run at 1 1/2 miles, the longest race of Stars on Earth’s career.
“The filly was in great condition coming into the race, but it requires a lot of effort to start from an outside draw,” Lemaire told Japan Racing Association publicity. “I was easy with her early. She stayed calm and responded really well in the closing stages, so I was happy.”
Circle of Life, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2021, was the 2-1 favorite and finished 12th.
Stars on Earth, by Duramente, has won the first two races of the Triple Crown for Japanese 3-year-old fillies. The series concludes with the Shuka Sho at 1 1/4 miles at Hanshin Racecourse on Oct. 16.
Owned by Shadai Race Horse Co. and trained by Mizuki Takayanagi, Stars on Earth has won 3 of 7 starts. The Japanese 1000 Guineas at a mile and the Japanese Oaks are her only stakes wins. Stars on Earth was second in two graded stakes at a mile earlier this year.