Bikini Boy claims the 9th Saga Spring Cup
May brings four graded stakes races to Saga Racecourse, offering plenty of excitement. This week features a newly established race that will mark a historic moment for Saga racing. Who will leave their name on the inaugural “1st Saga Kasasagi Sprint”? This season, a three-race series for 3-year-old sprinters has been introduced: the newly created Saga Jonoshita Sprint (won last month by Fractal), the brand-new Saga Kasasagi Sprint (this weekend), and the existing Saga Youth Sprint. Will Fractal complete the first two legs of the triple crown? Or will another horse seize victory in this first edition? All eyes are on this thrilling contest. Meanwhile, fan voting has begun for the “Yoshinogari Kinen,” scheduled for June 21. Your votes are welcome!
Fan voting for the Yoshinogari Kinen has started
Last week, Saga raced on May 9 (Saturday) and May 10 (Sunday).
Both days were clear with highs of 25–26°C, resulting in a “good” track. On Saturday, a wide range of running styles—from front-runners to closers—performed well. On Sunday, front-running horses, even longshots, proved tough to catch, with six of ten races won wire-to-wire. However, forward positioning wasn’t strictly dominant, as horses from behind also contended for the board. No significant bias between the inside and outside paths was observed on either day.
Saturday’s main event, the 4th race, the Kikuchi River Award (Class A1/A2, 1,400m), saw Ultra no Hoshi (5yo horse, trained by Motonori Mashima, ridden by Shinsuke Ishikawa) win as the favorite. Teiemu Taurisma (second) set the pace, followed by Ultra no Hoshi and Lord Midnight (third). The seven-horse field bunched up. Ultra no Hoshi took the lead at the third corner and held on comfortably, winning as expected. Second-favorite Teiemu Taurisma, making his Saga debut, finished second, 0.3 seconds behind, with fourth-favorite Lord Midnight another length back in third. Jockey Shinsuke Ishikawa had a stellar day, winning six of seven mounts. He only missed in the 9th race, showing his frustration in a YouTube short. Known as the top mood-maker among Saga jockeys, Ishikawa certainly energized the meet.
Ultra no Hoshi wins the Kikuchi River Award; jockey Shinsuke Ishikawa dominated the day
Sunday’s feature was the 4th race, the Grade 9 Saga Spring Cup (Open, 1,800m). The field appeared evenly matched, making predictions difficult but exciting. The victor was Bikini Boy (6yo horse, trained by Shinichi Higashi, ridden by Isao Yamaguchi). This duo also won last year’s edition, achieving back-to-back victories. It was Bikini Boy’s first graded win since last July’s Yoshinogari Kinen. The race unfolded unexpectedly with Eisen Annval leading. Moon of the Ace (second) tracked in second, Cosmo Farneze sat mid-pack, and Bikini Boy raced fourth from the rear. On the second lap’s backstretch, Eisen Annval opened a lead but was caught by the trailing group at the third corner. Bikini Boy also closed from far outside. Down the stretch, four horses—Bikini Boy on the outside, Cosmo Farneze, Moon of the Ace, and Eisen Annval inside—lined up, but Bikini Boy powered home with a final 3-furlong split of 37.5 seconds, winning by a length. Moon of the Ace (4th favorite) placed second, and Cosmo Farneze (6th favorite) third. The trifecta paid ¥2,820, and the trio exacta ¥10,400.
Bikini Boy and jockey Isao Yamaguchi right after the race
This week, Saga races on three days: May 16 (Sat), 17 (Sun), and 18 (Mon).
Saturday’s main event is the 3rd race, the Carnation Special (Class B, 1,300m). The focus is on Brave Decision, who has two straight wins in Saga by large margins. Roopasto Soro, currently on a five-race winning streak, also has strong finishing ability and seems fresh after a one-meeting break. Cardwell, returning from a similar break, shows good early speed and excels at this distance. Barge Force and Go All the Way can’t be underestimated with their front-running style, while Hekikuu and Mitono Dream could surprise if conditions suit.
Sunday’s feature is the 4th race, the Grade 1st Saga Kasasagi Sprint (3yo Open, 1,300m). Fractal, on a four-race winning streak and winner of the inaugural Saga Jonoshita Sprint, aims to engrave his name again. Laudatio, fourth in that race,
