Just a Way takes down Yasuda Kinen by a nose

Just a Way, the winner of the $5 million Dubai Duty Free at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai in March, extended his winning streak to four races with a nose victory in Sunday’s $2,031,250 Yasuda Kinen for turf milers at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan.

The Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen was the first start for Just a Way since the Dubai Duty Free.

Ridden by Yoshitomi Shibata, Just a Way raced in the middle of the field of 17 to early stretch. The 5-year-old pulled away alongside Grand Prix Boss, with those two fighting out the finish before Just a Way scored a narrow victory. Grand Prix Boss, sent off at 147-1, finished three lengths clear of 36-1 Shonan Mighty.

Just a Way, the 7-10 favorite, ran a mile on soft turf in 1:36.80. By Heart’s Cry, Just a Way races for Akatsuki Yamatoya and trainer Naosuke Sugai and has won 6 of 19 starts.

The current winning streak began last fall in the autumn running of the Grade 1 Tenno Sho in October and continued with a win in the Grade 2 Nakayama Kinen over 1 1/8 miles March 2.