 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Ushba Tesoro, trained by Takagi Noboru and considered Japan's strongest contender for the Nov. 4 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (Gr.1), had a 4-furlong breeze on Sunday morning at Santa Anita Park. The horse left the quarantine barn at 6:15, walked for 15 minutes while waiting for the track to open, and then proceeded to the main track.
He was able to gradually increase his pace from the half-mile pole to the far turn, but it wasn't until he turned for home that he really picked up speed and caught the attention of those watching. Although there was no official time listed for his work, he was timed by hand from the quarter-pole to the 6-furlong pole, completing that 4f section in 49 2/5.
"Fantastic," exclaimed Masa Fukami, the exercise rider on top of the 10-time winning horse as they cooled down with eight laps in the parade ring. This talented bay 6YO, owned by Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings, is the son of six-time Gr.1 winner and dual Arc runner-up Orfevre, who sired the 2021 Distaff winner, Marche Lorraine.
Since moving to the dirt, he has won seven out of eight races, with his only loss coming after a five-month layoff on a sloppy track. He is in top form and looking to secure his seventh consecutive victory, two of which were at the highest level and over 10 furlongs - just like the Breeders' Cup Classic.
In December's Tokyo Daishoten at Oi, one of only two Group Ones in Japan beyond One mile, he displayed a powerful rally that secured him a comfortable win. The second victory was at the US$12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan in March, where he once again showcased his impressive locomotive-style rally. Across his seven dirt victories, his average margin of victory is 2¼ lengths."
“Moving to dirt helped him,” said Noboru, through a translator. “The timing worked well and he grew up both physically and mentally from it. He was a difficult horse to control, but with dirt racing, everything matched him, I believe.”
After taking a six-month break following his win in Dubai, he prepared for the Breeders' Cup by easily winning the US$456,200 Nippon TV Hai over 1 1/8 miles at Funabashi, a track with tight turns and a left-handed course. He left behind Tenkaharu, a talented son of Distaff champion Ginger Punch, as well as Sekifu, who was in top form and coming off a Gr.3 victory after finishing as the runner-up in the Saudi Derby. In February, he won the US$1,045,300 Kawasaki Kinen over similarly tight left-handed bends, seven weeks before he conquered the Dubai World Cup.
“The Breeders’ Cup Classic is another big race and we are the challenger in here,” Noboru continued. “He won at Kawasaki, which also (like Funabashi) has tricky tight bends. I don’t think Santa Anita’s turns will be a problem.”
Yuga Kawada, Japan's reigning champion jockey, will be back in the saddle for his upcoming race next Saturday. Kawada has already made Breeders' Cup history by guiding Japan's Loves Only You to victory in the 2021 Filly & Mare Turf. He was also aboard for his wins at Funabashi and Meydan.