Laurel Guerreiro beats Sleepless Night in Japan

Laurel Guerreiro sped to victory in the Grade 1, $1.88 million Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo in Japan on Sunday, handing the 5-2 favorite, Sleepless Night, a half-length beating while covering the six furlongs in 1:08 on a firm turf course.

By the Dancing Brave stallion King Halo, the 6.60-1 Laurel Guerreiro is trained by Mitsugu Kon. Second last time on March 3 in the Grade 3 Hankyu Hai, he was winning for the time since having won that race last year.

Japanese sprint champ Sleepless Night, who was running for the first time since Oct. 4 when she won the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes, had been suffering from a severe rash of late and is sure to improve off this effort.