Urban Chic seized leadership among Japanese 3-year-olds with a commanding, 2 1/2-length victory in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger-G1) Oct. 20 at Kyoto Racecourse.
The race was the third leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, which featured different winners from the first two races. That left an opening for a late bloomer to step up and Urban Chic was more than up to the task.
With the entire field trying 3,000 meters (about 1 7/8 miles) for the first time and many returning from a summertime break, Urban Chic had the twin advantages of a win in a prep race and the services of Japan's leading jockey, Christophe Lemaire.
Lemaire let Urban Chic find his own way as the field settled for the first trip down the stretch run in front of more than 40,000 fans. He advanced smoothly past rivals through an unusual amount of shuffling for position as the 18-horse field continued down the backstretch.
Turning into the stretch, most of the field was laboring but Urban Chic, head high, surged to the lead and was not threatened through the final 100 meters. Redentor was second with Admire Terra a nose farther back in third.
Danon Decile, winner of the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby-G1), was never in a challenging position and finished sixth in his first start since the upset victory in the middle leg of the Triple Crown series. Justin Milano, winner of the Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas-G1), was not entered for the Kikuka Sho and has been sidelined with a tendon injury.
"The colt is never quick out of the gate and the race was 3,000 meters, so I let him take his time to find a good rhythm," Lemaire said. "He was able to have a breather during the race and we were able to advance nicely to a good position near the end so, once he got into gear, I knew his ability and was confident that we could make it to the wire first."
The race was run at a relatively leisurely pace over turf rated good to firm and Urban Chic stopped the timer at 3:04.1, 3.1 seconds over the course and stakes record.
Urban Chic's victory in the St. Lite Kinen (G2) Sept. 16, along with the style of the Kikuka Sho triumph, leaves him poised to carry the 3-year-old banner against older horses in the big races that wind up the Japanese season and, potentially, beyond.
"He has matured well and has increased his power towards this fall season," Lemaire said. "His potential is high and well up to grade 1 standards in the future."
Urban Chic is a son of 2019 Japan Cup (G1) winner Suave Richard. He was bred by Shunsuke Yoshida and is out of the Harbinger mare Edgy Style with Sunday Silence prominent on both top and bottom of his pedigree. The colt carries the easily recognized powder blue with red dots colors of Silk Racing.
He won both starts as a 2-year-old going 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) and 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles). He finished second in his 3-year-old debut, the Keisei Sho (G3) at Nakayama Racecourse and fourth in the Satsuki Sho.
A disappointing 11th-place showing in the Derby led to a four-month layoff before the St. Lite Kinen win.
Trainer Ryo Takei pointed out before the Kikuka Sho that Urban Chic had lost twice to Danon Decile but expressed confidence maturity and experience would help right that ship.
"He was returning from a break for his last race, and I think he'll be better for that run," Takei said. "He found a good rhythm in that race, and it sets him up well for this next one. He's becoming more mature now. I've thought the Kikuka Sho would be the best of the Classic races for the horse."
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