Saturnalia wins Japanese 2000 Guineas as odds-on favorite

Saturnalia remained unbeaten in four starts with a hard-fought win by a head over Velox in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas at Nakayama Racecourse.

Saturnalia, the 7-10 favorite, had his 2019 debut in the $2.16 million Japanese 2000 Guineas and has taken the role of leading 3-year-old male with the win. Admire Mars, the champion 2-year-old male in Japan in 2018, finished fourth of 18 in the Japanese 2000 Guineas, his second loss in as many starts this year.

Saturnalia stalked the pace under jockey Christophe Lemaire and emerged between horses to catch 8-1 Velox, who finished a nose in front of 9-2 Danon Kingly in the race at 1 1/4 miles on turf.

The 2000 Guineas was the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, which continues with the Grade 1 Japanese Derby at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Tokyo Racecourse on May 26.

Lemaire rode Saturnalia for the first time in the 2000 Guineas.

“I had confidence in him,” Lemaire told Japan Racing Association publicity. “He seemed a bit nervous and drifted toward the inside when we took command before the crowd.

“His condition was not 100 percent as it was his first start of the year, but he should be in top condition going into the Japanese Derby.”

A colt, Saturnalia has a pedigree with a slightly American flavor. Saturnalia is by Lord Kanaloa and is out of Cesario, who won the Grade 1 American Oaks at Hollywood Park in 2005.

Saturnalia is trained by Katsuhiko Sumii for U. Carrot Farm.