Do Deuce's classy victory Nov. 24 in a Japan Cup (G1) that included nine other previous grade 1/group 1 winners provided vindication after struggles in overseas races while it sent veteran jockey Yutaka Take further into his country's record books.
Using a powerful move midway through the far turn of the sprawling Tokyo Racecourse turf, favorite Do Deuce circled the field and seized the lead in early stretch. He then showed his class to hold sway over determined dead-heat runners-up Durezza and Shin Emperor to win by a neck. The crowd of 79,720 welcomed the victory with a roar—celebrating a 19th straight win by a Japan-based horse in the 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) international test.
Prevailing in a field that included three international group 1 winners pleased trainer Yasuo Tomomichi, who was glad the 5-year-old son of Heart's Cry showed his best after off-the-board finishes in this year's Dubai Turf (G1T) and the 2022 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1).
Speaking through an interpreter, Tomomichi, who won his second Japan Cup, said, "This time we were running on the Japanese track, and there was no way that we could be defeated. And indeed, he showed a strong will today. I'm really glad that he was able to show the Japanese fans and all the other fans around the world that his (quality) is not what he showed in Dubai or France. Today, he was able to really present to you his real strong self."
As Do Deuce made his way back to the winner's circle, the crowd then turned its attention to Take, chanting "Yu-Ta-Ka" to celebrate the local riding legend, who called it his most satisfying Japan Cup score.
"This is number one, because there was a very small gap difference with the horses that were second," Take said through an interpreter. "So I think it was a very difficult, and a very strong race to win."
The trio of international runners each landed group 1 victories this year in King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath, Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Auguste Rodin, and Grosser Preis Von Baden (G1) winner Fantastic Moon. As the race played out though, they would not provide any serious threats as Goliath's move into third going into the far turn fizzled, Auguste Rodin competed through the stretch but never threatened to place, and Fantastic Moon failed to rally. They would finish sixth, eighth, and 11th respectively.
In a solid outing against males, this year's Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (G1) winner Cervinia placed fourth.
The race offered total prize money of ¥1,085,000,000 (US$7,695,035).
The first 800 meters (about a half-mile) were run in a slow :50, which helped bunch the field. No jockey appeared to want the lead in the backstretch as Shin Emperor and Sol Oriens showed the way. Tomomichi noted how relaxed Do Deuce was Sunday as he calmly settled into last in the field of 14. Midway through the far turn, Do Deuce had only passed one horse but then unleashed an impressive move, surging past rivals despite racing near the middle of the wide course.
He passed Shin Emperor in early stretch and continued well to the wire to complete the race in 2:25.5 on the good to firm turf. The slow pace contributed to the final time being nearly five seconds off Almond Eye's stakes and course record.
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Campaigned by Kieffers, Do Deuce was bred in Japan by Northern Farm. Plans call for him to make his final start in the Arima Kinen (G1) Dec. 22 at Nakayama, a race he won last year.
Appropriately enough, in the days before the race, 55-year-old rider Take had a conversation with Japan Cup ambassador Ichiro Suzuki, who after playing nine years of professional baseball in Japan went to the United States and knocked 3,089 hits in the major leagues in a career that lasted until age 45. Take promised to talk with the soon-to-be Hall of Famer again in the winner's circle after the Japan Cup.
"Certain things have changed over the years, but I love horse racing and I always have this feeling that I want to win, which is something that I've been able to keep. It goes unchanged," said Take, who has been riding for 38 years. "When I come across a wonderful horse like I did today, that feeling gets stronger."
Handle
Japan Racing Association reported wagering of ¥24,367,127,000 ($157,435,812) for the race and ¥34,872,334,600 ($225,309,874) for the day.
Unique Ceremony
Some 10,000 or more fans stuck around for postrace ceremonies that included a send-off for Auguste Rodin, who made his final career start in the Japan Cup. The winner of the 2023 English Derby (G1), Epsom Derby (G1), and Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) was the first International horse to receive such an honor.
The horse was paraded on the track while M.V. and Tom Magnier (representing the colt's Coolmore-affiliated owners), trainer Aidan O'Brien, and jockey Ryan Moore were presented flowers in the winner's circle. They then offered a few words to the cheering fans. Part of the interest in Auguste Rodin is because he's a son of the late Deep Impact, a seven-time leading sire in Japan.
"We're very fortunate at Coolmore in that we get to race horses all over the world, but to come here to see the fans of Japanese racing and what it means to them, it's amazing," said Tom Magnier. "It's an honor to be here. The way we were looked after all week has been fantastic."
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