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Cervinia wins this year’s Shuka Sho at Kyoto.
Race favorite Cervinia claimed this year's Shuka Sho, the last jewel of the Triple Crown, becoming the fifth filly since Mikki Queen in 2015 to dominate both this and the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1, 2,400m). The Harbinger filly registered her third grade-race title following the Artemis Stakes (G3, 1,600m) as a two-year-old and her latest Yushun Himba triumph in May. Both trainer Tetsuya Kimura and jockey Christophe Lemaire won their first JRA-G1 title since the Yushun Himba, and as for Lemaire, this is his third Shuka Sho victory—the other two was with Deirdre (2017) and Almond Eye (2018). This marks the third consecutive Shuka Sho title for owner Sunday Racing Co., Ltd. following their successes with Stunning Rose in 2022 and Liberty Island last year.
The field was on its way in front of the Kyoto stands with Sekitoba East gunning for the lead while Cervinia was unhurried in a mid-pack position. After the pacemaker extended her huge lead down the backstretch setting a rapid pace, the field gradually started making their bids after the third corner. Still surrounded by her rivals turning for home, the Yushun Himba victor readily responded before the 200-meter pole and easily kicked clear, stretching away to a 1-3/4-length victory.
"As always, it's not easy to win a G1 race but Cervinia ran an incredible race today and everything went smoothly. The distance was right for her, we were able to sit in a good position, she found her own rhythm and was very calm throughout. The fast pace was also a good factor and she responded beautifully," commented Christophe Lemaire after the race.
A touch late out of the gate, fifth pick Bond Girl was eased back near the rear early before making a wide bid into the lane. With the fastest late speed, the Daiwa Major filly closed strongly but had too much ground to make up and was second.
Second favorite and Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, G1, 1,600m) champion Stellenbosch was off slow and traveled around 10th. After slightly angling out rounding the last corners, the bay filly switched to an inside path for running room 200 meters out and quickened willingly, improving to second but was pinned by Bond Girl just before the wire and finished third.
Other Horses:
4th: (12) Lavanda—raced around 4th, showed tenacity after overtaken by winner, weakened in
final strides
5th: (13) Christmas Parade—tracked distant leader in 2nd, took brief lead passing 200m pole,
outrun thereafter
6th: (2) Mi Anhelo—positioned around 10th, showed response until 100m out on inner stretch
7th: (4) Tagano Elpida—chased leaders in 3rd, rallied for lead 200m out, weakened in last 100m
8th: (7) Chilcano—saved ground in 13th, showed effort but had too much ground to make up
9th: (8) Koganeno Sora—sat 3-wide around 5th, lacked needed kick at stretch
10th: (1) Hohelied—hugged rails around 9th, even paced
11th: (6) Rabbiteye—trailed in rear, circled wide, showed good effort to pass tired rivals
12th: (9) Admire Belle—settled around 6th on rails, checked at 200m pole, failed to respond
13th: (15) Sekitoba East—set fast pace, faded after 200m pole
14th: (11) Lance of Queen—raced 4-wide around 6th, unable to reach contention
15th: (3) Queen's Walk—stumbled at break, raced 2nd from rear, advanced in backstretch to enter
lane around 7th, showed little at stretch