King's Sword looms as another potential Japanese contender on the international dirt racing scene after the 5-year-old son of Sinister Minister vanquished a solid field in the Teio Sho June 26 at Oi Racecourse.
King's Sword had been knocking on the door in top company since winning the JBC Classic, a local grade 1 affair, over the same 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) last November, and finishing fifth in both the Tokyo Daishoten (G1) in December at Oi and the prestigious February Stakes (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse.
Jpn1 2000m Teio Sho at Royal Ohi on the NAR council circuit:
— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) June 26, 2024
Won by 5h 12. KING’S SWORD (Sinister Minister) under Yusuke Fujioka
2nd Jpn1 win for KING’S SWORD
2nd WILSON TESORO #NAR
pic.twitter.com/rE0DRQsLHb
King's Sword was defeated less than two lengths in the Daishoten, won by Ushba Tesoro, winner of the 2023 Dubai World Cup (G1), second in this year's Saudi Cup (G1) and Dubai World Cup, and fifth in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park.
Wilson Tesoro and Dura Erede, fourth and fifth this year in Dubai, finished second and third in the Daishoten.
In the February Stakes, King's Sword fell short with a late rally while going just 1,600 meters (about one mile).
Wilson Tesoro was back for another try in the Teio Sho, along with Meisho Hario, winner in both 2022 and 2023.
Neither could deny King's Sword.
Jockey Yusuke Fujioka positioned King's Sword right behind the leaders as the field passed the grandstand for the first time, kept him out of trouble and free of most of the kickback down the backstretch, and led a charge of horses into the straight.
Quickly opening up a daylight lead, King's Sword was never threatened with Wilson Tesoro reporting second, 1 3/4 lengths back, and Diktaean third. Seven-year-old Meisho Hario finished ninth.
Fujioka said the race went just as planned.
"I talked with the trainer and we agreed to stay rather in the front, say second or third position, in the early going. I wanted to be in second position so I urged him a little bit passing the grandstand. There were a couple of runners ahead of us so that's what developed going into the first turn.
"Around the final turn, I saw Wilson Tesoro so I urged the horse, wishing he keeps going on and on."
Trainer Ryo Terashima said his only minor concern came early in the race.
"That was when he passed the grandstand. After that, I was watching him with no worry, pretty confident with the horse. I was watching the race with good feeling."
Terashima did not outline any firm plans for King's Sword but indicated international competition is on his mind.
A logical next step would be the Japan Dirt Classic Oct. 2 at the same course and distance. That race, the third leg of the new Japan Dirt Triple Crown, is expected to attract a world-class field including Kentucky Derby (G1) third and Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful Forever Young.
"We will take a summer break," Terashima said, "and think about what is the best option for this horse as we get to the autumn. The race overseas would be an option as we came this far."
Fujioka said he's confident there's improvement in King's Sword.
"The horse is still growing. He had a very good run today and I believe he will continue to run good races ahead," the jockey said.
