Croix du Nord added his fourth G1 in a thrilling Tenno Sho Spring
- Turf Diario
- 46min
- 2 Min. de lectura
Like his sire, Kitasan Black, the bay claimed the marathon on the Kyoto turf in Japan, confirming his great form
KYOTO, Japan (Special for Turf Diario).— Hierarchy and bloodlines ultimately prevailed in a new edition of the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1), although the outcome forced everyone to hold their breath until the very last gasp. The heavy favorite Croix du Nord achieved his fourth top-level gold medal on the Kyoto turf, confirming his status as one of the dominators of Japanese racing and emulating the feat of his sire, the legendary Kitasan Black, who reigned in this contest in 2016 and 2017.
The Takashi Saito trainee added this 3200-meter marathon challenge to a record that already included the Hopeful Stakes (G1), the Tokyo Yushun (G1) —the Japanese Derby— and the recent Osaka Hai (G1). With this victory, the bay became the first Derby winner to claim this race since Meisho Samson (Opera House) in 2007, also sealing the seventh father-son victory in the history of the Japan Racing Association (JRA).
The ride by Yuichi Kitamura was strategic. Croix du Nord broke cleanly and settled into an expectant sixth position, always traveling three-wide. Despite it being his first foray into marathon distances, the 4-year-old maintained the necessary composure, although at times he appeared somewhat anxious given the pace of the competition. Upon entering the home stretch, Kitamura asked for his best, and the star responded with an acceleration that seemed to settle the matter with ease.
However, the maximum excitement was reserved for the final meters. From the back of the pack, Wurttemberg (Kitasan Black) launched an electric charge that brought him level with the favorite right at the wire. After a meticulous deliberation by the stewards, it was determined that Croix du Nord maintained a nose advantage to claim the glory.
"I really didn't know if we had won or not; it was a long wait, but I feel relieved," Kitamura confessed after achieving his ninth G1 success.
The podium was completed by Admire Terra (Rey de Oro) who, after traveling at the rear, closed strongly to finish just a 1/2 length behind the leaders, being overtaken in the final jump by the momentum of Wurttemberg.
With this triumph, Croix du Nord not only enhances his stature as an exceptional stayer but also confirms the endurance of a winning lineage. The training of Takashi Saito and the class of a horse that seems to have no ceiling on the Asian continent once again place the family of Kitasan Black at the very top of the global racing pedestal.
