Japan Cup 2000
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Japan Cup
On Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse seven foreigners took on the nine
locals in the $4.284 million Japan Cup, attempting to end the locals'
three-race winning streak. The foreign contingent included Breeders'
Cup Turf second place finisher John's Call, Godolphin representative
Fantastic Light, and the filly Ela Athena. Sent off as the 1-2 favorite
was T M Opera O, who was going into the Cup with a perfect 6 for
6 record this year and was attempting to set the world record for
earnings with a win in this Group 1 event.
After the gate opened, 54-1 longshot Stay Gold went to the front
to set a steady pace, with American hopeful John's Call stalking
in behind him, at odds of 18-1. T M Opera O As the field hit the
top of the stretch, Stay Gold and John's Call continued to hold
the lead with Meisho Doto racing in behind them while the closers
began to make their moves to the front, led by eventual winner T
M Opera O. With a furlong to go, Stay Gold and John's Call weakened
and faded to 8th and 9th respectively and Meisho Doto took the lead.
T M Opera O, who had been in 7th most of the way around, got even
with Meisho Doto with a furlong and a half to go and led for the
final 1/16 for the win by a neck.
Fantastic Light under jockey Frankie Dettori, who had been as far
back as 11th, rallied in the final quarter mile to finish third
another nose back. T M Opera O completed the 2400 meter (about 1
1/2 miles) turf feature in 2:26.10 over a course rated firm. By
taking the winner's share of $2.281 million he increased his career
earnings to just over $11 million and bypassed Cigar for the all-time
lead and world record. Jockey Frankie Dettori said of Fantastic
Light, "The pace was too slow for him. He did his best, but the
first two were quicker." New York based jockey Jean-Luc Samyn aboard
John's Call, said "It was slow, so I was able to settle him but
he flattened out a furlong from the wire."
Winning jockey Ryuji Wada called it an "overwhelming victory". On
Saturday's card at Tokyo was the inaugural running of the Group
1 Japan Cup Dirt, with a purse of $2.3 million. Two American-based
horses, Lord Sterling and Euchre, shipped in to take on thirteen
locals but finished 3rd and 8th respectively. The winner was Wing
Arrow, who completed the 1 5/16 mile race in track record time of
2:07.20 over a fast track.
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