Japan: Tastiera turns tables on Sol Oriens in Japanese Derby
Tastiera finished second by 1 1/4 lengths to Sol Oriens in the Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas at Hanshin Racecourse in April, unable to hold a late lead.
The result was reversed in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese Derby. This time, Tastiera ($15.70) was in front at the wire, holding off a fast-closing 4-5 favorite Sol Oriens to win the $4.3 million Japanese Derby by a neck in a tight finish.
Sol Oriens finished a nose in front of 32-1 Hearts Concerto, who was a nose in front of 52-1 Bellagio Opera in the field of 18.
Tastiera, ridden by Damian Lane for trainer Noriyuki Hori, tracked the pace in fifth before taking the lead in the final furlong.
“Credit to the horse,” Lane told Japan Racing Association publicity. “He’s so versatile. He (can) jump quick, put himself in a good position and relax.”
Sol Oriens closed from sixth to finish second, his first defeat in his fourth start.
Tastiera, by Satano Crown, has won 3 of 5 starts. He won the Grade 2 Deep Impact Kinen at 1 1/4 miles at Nakayama on March 5 before the narrow loss in the 2000 Guineas on April 16.
Tastiera races for Carrot Farm. Lane won the Japanese Derby for the first time on Tastiera, and is the first foreign-based jockey to win the race since Mirco Demuro was successful on Neo Universe in 2003.
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