Japan: T O Royal surges in early stretch, takes Tenno Sho

T O Royal continues to display an affinity for turf distance races in Japan.

In Sunday’s Group 1 spring running of the $2.68 million Tenno Sho at two miles at Kyoto Racecourse, T O Royal ($5.60) closed from fourth on the turn to take the lead in early stretch, pulling clear to win by two lengths over 12-1 Blow the Horn. Deep Bond (25-1) finished third, a half-length behind Blow the Horn.

Durezza, a slight favorite over T O Royal, was prominent to early stretch before fading to finish 15th in a field of 17, his third loss in eight starts. Durezza won the Grade 1 Japanese St. Leger at 1 7/8 miles at Kyoto last October and was second in the Grade 2 Kinko Sho at 1 1/4 miles at Chukyo Racecourse on March 10 in his 2024 debut.

T O Royal remained unbeaten in three starts this year in the Tenno Sho, the first Grade 1 win for the 6-year-old in 18 starts. T O Royal was third in the 2022 spring running of the Tenno Sho and 14th in the Grade 1 Japan Cup later that year in his only previous appearances in Grade 1 races.

Earlier this season, T O Royal won the Grade 3 Diamond Stakes at 2 1/8 miles at Tokyo on Feb. 17 and the Grade 2 Hanshin Daishoten at 1 7/8 miles at Hanshin Racecourse on March 17.

T O Royal, by Leontes, was ridden by Yuji Hishida for owner Tomoya Ozasa and trainer Inao Okada.

The horse raced in good rhythm,” Hishida told Japan Racing Association publicists. “We were able to turn the last corner comfortably and slip out of the pack with ease.”

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.