The 85th edition was run at Kyoto on Sunday.
The St Lite is often a good guide to this race and sure enough Urban Chic, who had a very ordinary Derby in May but bounced back in the St Lite, was an easy winner of this last of the Triple Crown races.
Redentor 7.1 was the second home and Admire Terra third 23.6.
Derby winner Danon Decile started favourite but was never really in contention and the minor places went to Redentor on 7.1 and Admire Terra on 23.6.
The Kikuka Sho is over 3000m so it will be interesting to see which runners from the race go to the Japan Cup and which will wait for the Arima Kinen.
On Saturday at Tokyo Jun Blossom under Tosaki won the Fiji Stakes G2 with favourite Soul Rush second and Logi Leon third on 26.7. Sad to report that Bathrat Leon finished at the wrong end of the field which could indicate he has an injury or other health problem
