Unbeaten Justin Milano Takes Japanese Guineas In Record Time At Nakayama Racecourse

Second favorite Justin Milano claimed the first leg of the Japan's Triple Crown, the  US$3,064,000 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (G1) Sunday in course record time at Nakayama Racecourse and stayed unbeaten.

Masahiro Miki's Kizuna colt won by a neck from Cosmo Kuranda and finished the 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) in 1:57.1, lowering the course standard for the distance by 0.7 seconds.

Justin Milano is the second colt to win the race in just three career starts following last year’s winner, Sol Oriens. 

Quick out of the gate, Justin Milano rushed out of post 13 to settle fifth from front-runner Meisho Tabaru, who set an extremely fast pace. 

With Keita Tosaki riding for trainer Yasuo Tomomichi, Justin Milano shifted slightly to the outside rounding the final corners, surged out behind Jantar Mantar after entering the lane and unleashed an explosive turn of speed to overtake that rival in the last two strides and cross the wire a neck in front as Cosmo Kuranda was up for second. 

“Given the condition of the track, I thought that it would be better to race toward the front," Tosaki said. "He broke well and we were able to settle in that position naturally. The pace was fast, but Justin Milano ran in his own rhythm. His response weakened a bit at the third corner but he regained his focus after the fourth corner and stretched well to win the race. He’s a smart horse with a lot of potential. He’s easy to ride, and I think he can handle the longer distance."

Seventh pick Cosmo Kuranda saved ground around 10th, angled out turning the last two corners, launched the fourth fastest late drive to join the rally for the lead and, while overtaking Jantar Mantar before the wire, failed to catch Justin Milano to finish as the runner-up. 

Breaking sharply, third choice Jantar Mantar eased back to third after rallying for the lead, closed in on the leader in the final corners, inherited the lead at the top of the stretch and sustained the bid but weakened in the final strides to be overtaken by the eventual winner and then the runner-up before the wire. 

Race favorite Regaleira was rated toward the rear, around 14th, and although turning in the fastest speed over the last three furlongs, was too far back to threaten the leaders and finished sixth. 

Justin Milano won his debut going the Guineas distance last November at Tokyo and captured his first graded victory in the Kyodo News Hai (G3) Feb. 11.

Bred by Northern Racing, Justin Milano was produced by the Exceed And Excel mare Margot Did, a Group 1 winner in England.