Jantar Mantar wins this year’s NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo.
Jantar Mantar, sent to post second pick, displayed a strong run to rule in this year's NHK Mile Cup and took home his second G1 trophy. Undefeated in all three starts last season, which included victories in the Daily Hai Nisai Stakes (G2, 1,600m) and the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1,1,600m), the son of Palace Malice was duly named Best Two-Year-Old Colt of 2023. He kicked off his three-year-old campaign with a second in the Kyodo News Hai (G3, 1,800m) in February and had just come off turning in a third in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000m) on April 14. For both trainer Tomokazu Takano and jockey Yuga Kawada, this is their first JRA-G1 victory since the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes win with the colt. Takano is now the proud owner of seven G1 titles while Kawada now boasts 27.
Jantar Mantar broke sharply from a wide stall and was settled in around fifth, next to the race favorite in the backstretch, before gradually making headway after the third corner to hit the straight in third. After a tenacious climb up the stretch hill, the dark bay colt kicked into gear, took over the front before the 200-meter pole and charged home in a comfortable 2-1/2-length victory.
"I had every confidence in my colt. Once we were off, I knew he was going to win, there were no doubts in my mind. He ran in good rhythm and showed his true strength. Concerns of his tight schedule—his latest Satsuki Sho start being only three weeks before—obviously was nothing to be worried about. I hope I can prove he is the best miler in Japan in the future," commented Yuga Kawada who rode his second NHK Mile Cup winner after Danon Scorpion in 2022.
2023 Best Two-Year-Old Filly and race favorite Ascoli Piceno secured an early position in fifth to sixth before making her bid rounding the final turns with much left in the tank but found herself trapped behind horses in early stretch. Under jockey Christophe Lemaire, who just made his comeback after recovering from injuries sustained in March in Dubai, the Daiwa Major filly struggled for room and clipped heels but found her stride once on a clear path along the rails near the 200-meter marker and surged from there with good speed to steal second place.
Tenth choice Logi Leon ran around eighth behind the top two favorites, met traffic at the top of the stretch but found an opening at the 400-meter pole and launched a strong charge but while unable to cut the gap with the winner, was pinned by the fast-closing runner-up just before the wire, securing third place by a neck.
Other Horses:
4th: (12) Gonbade Qabus—traveled wide around 9th, launched 2nd fastest late kick but was too
late
5th: (4) Ipheion—settled around 6th on rails, checked 300m out, ran willingly thereafter
6th: (7) Channel Tunnel—sat around 11th, passed rivals one by one in last 200m
7th: (3) Di Speranza—raced around 12th, drifted 300m out, showed effort thereafter
8th: (10) Water Licht—sat wide around 12th, failed to respond to reach contention
9th: (18) Arsenaal—broke poorly, ran 2nd from rear, circled wide, showed fastest late kick but
belatedly
10th: (8) Enya Love Faith—settled wide around 6th, lacked needed kick at stretch
12th: (2) Noble Roger—saved ground around 9th, unable to reach contention
11th: (17) Yukino Royal—raced wide around 15th, even paced at stretch
13th: (1) Danon McKinley—hugged rails around 12th, showed effort after meeting traffic at early
stretch
14th: (11) Arranger—traveled around 15th, struggled to find clear path, never threatened
15th: (15) Mask All Win—prominent in 2nd or 3rd, took brief lead at early stretch, dropped back
16th: (13) Strauss—unhurried and trailed in far rear, no factor
17th: (5) Bond Girl—rallied for lead then eased back to 2nd, checked 300m out, lost momentum
18th: (9) Captaincy—rallied for lead, sustained lead, checked 300m out, faded
