Meiner Kitz a 45-1 winner in Spring Tenno Sho

Meiner Kitz added to an upset-filled weekend in the racing world on Sunday when he sprung a 45-1 surprise in the $2.6 million Spring Tenno Sho at Kyoto. A ground-saving ride from Masami Matsuoka propelled Meiner Kitz, a 6-year-old son of Chief Bearhart trained by Sakae Kuneida, to a neck victory over Al Nasrain.

Meiner Kitz covered the two miles on firm ground in 3:14.40. Dream Journey was third, beaten two lengths, while the 5-2 favorite Asakusa Kings faded to finish ninth, 5 3/4 lengths behind the winner.

In taking this Grade 1 Emperor's Cup, Meiner Kitz was winning his first graded stake race in his 29th start after having been winless since Feb. 4, 2008, when he won a 1 1/8-mile conditions race at Tokyo. Last time on March 29 at Nakayama, he had shown signs of awakening from his slumber when he finished three-quarters of a length second to Al Nasrain in the 1 9/16-mile, Grade 2 Nikkei Sho.