Jantar Mantar dazzled in his return to action, stamping his ticket to Del Mar with a powerful performance in the G1 Yasuda Kinen

The Shadai superstar unleashed a powerful late rally to defeat 17 rivals and capture his third Group 1 title in the Yasuda Kinen, securing an automatic berth to the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile through the Win and You’re In challenge series

Jantar Mantar, Another Japanese Star Bound for the Breeders’ Cup / YUKI SHIMONO

TOKYO, Japón (Special for Turf Diario).- With a devastating late kick over the final 100 meters, Jantar Mantar made a triumphant return from a lengthy layoff, powering past his rivals to capture Sunday’s G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m, turf, $2.6 million) at Tokyo Racecourse before a crowd of more than 51,000. The Shadai Racehorse Co. Ltd. colorbearer defeated 17 rivals to earn his third Group 1 title and, with it, an automatic, expenses-paid berth to the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar via the Win and You’re Inchallenge series.

Ridden with confidence by Yuga Kawada and trained by Tomokazu Takano, the son of Palace Malice was making his first start since finishing a disappointing 13th in the G1 Hong Kong Mile last December at Sha Tin. But any doubts were quickly erased. Breaking alertly, he settled into a stalking third behind pacesetter Mad Cool (Dark Angel), shifted out to the firmer part of the course turning for home, and responded decisively when asked, taking command just inside the final 100 meters and drawing clear with authority to score by 1 1/2 lengths.

“He broke well and got into a nice position, but he got a little anxious when the others started to close in from behind, and that worried me a bit,” said Kawada. “I wasn’t sure how he’d respond in the final stretch, but he really showed his true ability. He wasn’t able to perform in his last race, so I’m glad he was able to prove his class again today.”

Gaia Force (Kitasan Black) rallied strongly from mid-pack to grab second late, edging past Soul Rush (Rulership), the race favorite, who loomed wide into the turn but couldn’t sustain his run. Final time for the mile was a sharp 1:32.7 over ground rated good-to-firm.

A 4-year-old, Jantar Mantar was one of the standout juveniles of Japan’s 2021 crop. Undefeated in three starts at two—including victories in the G2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes and the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes—he was named Japan’s Champion 2-Year-Old Colt. At three, he finished third in the G1 Satsuki Sho and captured the G1 NHK Mile Cup at this same course and distance.

With his ticket now punched, the imposing chestnut will point toward the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar on November 1, where the Breeders’ Cup will cover both his entry and travel expenses. With his blend of speed, stamina, and class, Jantar Mantar appears poised to be one of Japan’s leading contenders on the world stage come championship weekend.