Puro Magic Grabs First G1 Win in Sprinters Stakes

Puro Magic (JPN) and jockey Mirai Iwata put on a perfectly timed clinic to get home first in the Sprinters Stakes (G1) Sept. 27 at Nakayama Racecourse, defeating a field that included the winners from the each of the past three years. Also trailing home the 5-year-old mare was budding 3-year-old filly prospect Star Anise (JPN), who went to the post as favorite in a field of 16. Iwata, who is battling with Christophe Lemaire for the lead in Japan's jockey standings, took no prisoners in the 1,200-meter (about 6-furlong) sprint. Starting from the outside gate, he shot Puro Magic straight to the lead, crossed over and was allowed to roll along as he pleased, opening a lead of as much as 3 lengths approaching the right-handed turn. As she climbed toward the finish, Puro Magic found just enough in reserve to hold on and win by a neck over World's End (JPN) with Sound Moryana (JPN) a nose farther back. Star Anise, with Lemaire up, had some traffic issues at the top of the stretch, then finished fourth with a late rush. Last year's upset winner, Win Carnelian (JPN), finished sixth. Mama Cocha (JPN), who won in 2023, finished 10th. The 2024 winner, Lugal (JPN), was 14th. Puro Magic finished in 1:09.2 over a course rated "good," far from threatening the race and course record of 1:06.7 set by Lord Kanaloa (JPN) in 2012. "I was a bit worried about the ground condition," Iwata said. "But, thanks to her ability and speed, we were able to take the lead. She was more composed than in her last race and managed to hang on the in stretch." In that last race, Puro Magic finished second in the Centaur Stakes (G3) behind Flicker Jab (JPN), who failed to land a blow in the Sprinters Stakes and reported 12th. Before that, Puro Magic won the Hakodate Sprint Stakes (G3) in June and the Ibis Summer Dash (G3) in August, earning the championship of the Summer Sprint Series. She finished eighth in last year's Sprinters Stakes and went from that to the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar, where she reported 10th. Trainer Shogo Yasuda said he's noticed a change in Puro Magic since then. "I think the horse has changed since last year," he said. "She came back to the stable on Sept. 16 after a short stay at the farm. There was no bad effect after her last race, and she is currently calmer than I expected." The Sprinters Stakes was Puro Magic's first grade 1 victory and also the first for her sire, Asia Express, winner of the 2013 Asahi Hai Futurity (G1). The stallion was bred in Florida by Ocala Stud. Yasuda notched his second top-level win, following Danon Decile (JPN)'s score in the 2024 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1). Iwata, 26, also got his second top-level win. He piloted Arma Veloce (JPN) to victory in the 2024 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1). Puro Magic was bred by Murata Bokujo and runs in the colors of Three H Racing. Her dam, Medjerda (JPN), by Deep Impact (JPN), posted only one win from 11 starts. Star Anise, a daughter of 2016 American sprint champion Drefong, came into the Sprinters Stakes off a four-month layoff. She won the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) in December and the Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas, G1) in April, both at 1,600 meters (about 1 mile), but finished 12th when tasked with 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1), prompting trainer Tomokazu Takano to dial back the distance.