Sodashi sets course record in taking Japanese 1000 Guineas

Sodashi, the Japanese champion 2-year-old filly of 2020, began her 2021 season with a classic win and a course record in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas at Hanshin Racecourse.

Sodashi, who paid $6.20 in American pools, finished a mile in 1:31.10, prevailing by a neck over Satono Reinas. The previous track record of 1:31.90 was set in 2017 by Black Moon.

A rare white Thoroughbred, Sodashi stalked the pace before taking the lead in the final quarter-mile. Sodashi is unbeaten in five starts. Satono Reinas, who raced in traffic in the first half of the race, closed well to just miss, finishing a half-length in front of 19-1 Fine Rouge in a field of 18 3-year-old fillies.

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The Hanshin turf course was listed as good-to-firm for the $2.17 million Japanese 1000 Guineas, which is formally known as the Oka Sho.

“I was a bit worried that the fast track would be a disadvantage, but she responded beautifully and ran well holding off the others closing in on us,” jockey Hayato Yoshida said. “Her potential is limitless.”

Hanshin is a familiar course for Sodashi. She won the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at a mile on turf in December to clinch her title.

Sodashi races for trainer Naosuke Sugai and is owned by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Company. Sodashi, by Kurofune, has won at distances ranging from a mile to 1 1/8 miles in her brief career.

The Japanese 1000 Guineas is the first leg of the Triple Crown, a series that continues with the Grade 1 Japanese Oaks at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo Racecourse on May 23.