Mr Melody gets first Grade 1 win in Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Mr Melody, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by Scat Daddy, closed from a stalking position to win his first Grade 1 race in Sunday’s $2.17 million Takamatsunomiya Kinen for sprinters at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan.

The 6-1 third choice, Mr Melody emerged between runners in the stretch of the six-furlong turf race to win by a half-length over the 107-1 outsider Seiun Kosen in a field of 18. Danon Smash, the 3-2 favorite who had won consecutive Grade 3 sprints in November and January, finished fourth, beaten a little more than a length.

Mr Melody was ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga for trainer Hideaki Fujiwara.

Owned by Green Fields Co. Ltd., Mr Melody has won 4 of 10 starts. A Grade 3 stakes winner in 2017, Mr Melody was limited to three starts last year, including a fourth in the Grade 1 NHK Mile for 3-year-olds. Last month, Mr Melody was seventh in a Grade 3 at Hanshin Racecourse.

Mr Melody was purchased for $400,000 at the 2017 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. April auction of 2-year-olds in training.

There were two Kentucky-breds in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen field. Mozu Superflare, by Speightstown, finished 15th as the 3-1 second choice. Mozu Superflare won the Grade 3 Ocean Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse on March 2.