~An Important Step Towards the Spring Tenno Sho~
🗓️ March 29, 2025 Nakayama Racecourse
🏇 Turf 2500m Track Condition: Good to Soft
🏆 73rd Nikkei Sho (G2)
The 73rd Nikkei Sho was held at Nakayama Racecourse, bringing together top contenders aiming for the Spring Tenno Sho. The 2500-meter turf course tested both stamina and ability in this important race.
| Pos | No. | Horse Name | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Meiner Emperor | Y. Tannai | 7.4 |
| 2 | 6 | Chuck Knight | Moreira | 10.8 |
| 3 | 7 | Urban Chic | Lemaire | 1.7 |
| 4 | 5 | Libyan Glass | Matsuyama | 16.2 |
| 5 | 11 | Meiner Chrysola | A. Sugawara | 133.3 |
*Margins: 1st-2nd (neck), 2nd-3rd (neck), 3rd-4th (neck), 4th-5th (head)
💡 Top 5 finishers separated by minimal margins!
2nd Choice (Odds 7.4)
- Jockey Y. Tannai
- Trainer H. Shimizu
🔍 Early Stages: Babbit took the lead with Libyan Glass following. Race favorite Urban Chic got a slow start and settled in mid-rear position.
🔍 Middle Stages: Babbit maintained the lead at a moderate pace. Meiner Emperor positioned well and saved energy.
🔍 Final Stages: After the 3rd corner, Meiner Emperor improved position and took the lead in the straight. Urban Chic charged from behind and Chuck Knight made progress from mid-pack, but Meiner Emperor held on for the win.
The good-to-soft track condition created a stamina-testing race that highlighted each horse's adaptability. Meiner Emperor broke through sharply from a good position and maintained his lead to the finish.
→ Race developed into a slow pace with final sprint finish
Meiner Emperor's Bloodline
Winner of the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), and Arima Kinen. Excels at long distances.
Won one race in central JRA racing. Full sister to Uberleben (2021 Japanese Oaks winner) and half-sister to Meiner Fanrong (2021 Niigata Kinen winner). Excellent bloodline.
U.S. Grade 1 winner of the Whitney Handicap. Successful as a broodmare sire with several stakes winners among his descendants.
✨ The combination of stamina and power in this pedigree contributed to today's victory.
Jockey Y. Tannai (continued)
"I think he's gotten stronger. I believe he'll be competitive at an even higher level going forward."
Trainer H. Shimizu (continued)
"His recent performances have been consistent, and I was confident he would perform well today against this strong field."
Jockey Moreira (Chuck Knight)
"He handles this kind of track condition very well."
K. Ando (Former Jockey)
"The track condition and race development perfectly suited Meiner Emperor. The others struggled to extend in the soft ground."
🔍 The good-to-soft track condition likely favored Meiner Emperor. Urban Chic, while talented, may have been compromised by the track.
🔍 The tight finish and heated race development suggest that results could have been different with slight changes in circumstances.
The 73rd Nikkei Sho saw Meiner Emperor break through from a good position to secure his first G2 victory. The close finishes with Chuck Knight and Urban Chic showed that all these top contenders gained valuable experience and insight for the upcoming Spring Tenno Sho.
Looking Forward to Spring Tenno Sho