Justin Palace upsets the odds on chalk to take out the G2 2023 Hanshin Daishoten, and take his career earnings past the $1.6 million mark while Bellagio Opera remains unbeaten and stakes his claim for classic glory after winning this trial for the Japanese 2000 Guineas in impressive fashion at Nakayama
Spring Stakes
Grade 2 – Purse $789,000 – 1800 meters (1mile 1 furlong) – Turf- 3-Year-Olds
This was a furious pace right from the start with Granite widening early by four lengths, followed into the backstretch by Shilthorn, with Ho O Biscuits settled nicely on the fence in the third spot.
At this early stage, the eventual winner BELLAGIO OPERA was settled in mid-pack on a tight hold by jockey Takeshi Yokoyama.
The first quarter was a sizzling 23.5 seconds and the half-mile went in 47.3 seconds, and the well-fancied All Parfait followed the front three, while the chalk Seven Magician was way back early.
The field started to close on the long-time leader at the 400 meters (3 furlongs) mark, and it was here that Ho O Biscuits pitched inside and began his challenge, meanwhile, Bellagio Opera had pitched into the five-lane to make his challenge.
As they set down for the drive to the wire, Ho O Biscuits grabbed the long-time leader with just 100 meters (a sixteenth) to run, and then Bellagio Opera swooped over the top of both of them and widened in the final 50 meters to win by a length and a quarter, with Metal Speed closing late for third, and the long time leader Granite who held well for the fourth spot.
Spring Stakes Payout
| Horse | Win | Place |
| 1. Bellagio Opera | $3.50 | $2.10 |
| 2. Ho O Biscuits | $2.30 | |
| 3. Metal Speed | $3.80 |
WINNING TIME: 1 mins 48.90 secs
Fuji TV Sho Spring Stakes Race Video
@horseracingtote Bellagio Opera takes the 72nd Fuji TV Sho Spring Stakes #Horseracing #Horseracingtips #Horsesoftiktok #Horses #Horse #FYP #Sports
♬ original sound – horseracingtote – horseracingtote
Hanshin Daishoten
Grade 2 – Purse $969,000 – 3000 meters (1mile 7 furlongs) – Turf- 4-Year-Olds And Up.
The betting suggested this was a two-horse race for this Grade 2 over the marathon trip, and that is how it turned out.
African Gold and Deep Bond were the two that wanted to be on the speed and it was the first named that settled down on the speed, with the 300/1 shot Shironii keeping tabs on these two out wide.
Meanwhile, eventual winner JUSTIN PALACE had secured a nice stalking position in fourth on the rail with the odds on chalk Boldog Hos right behind his main rival.
As they came out of the clubhouse turn a second time, the eventual winner was in a perfect position inside, while the chalk had pulled off the fence and was sixth in the two-lane with clear daylight on the pack in front.
African Gold (eventual fourth) quickened the pace at the 600 meters (3 furlongs) mark but Justin Palace and Boldog Hos covered the move and were soon in pursuit of the leader.
Justin Palace got to the front 100 meters from the wire and quickly widened to a length and three-quarter victory from Boldog Hos who rallied for second and the late closing Breakup who took the third spot from the long-time leader African Gold on the wire.
2023 Hanshin Daishoten Payout
| Horse | Win | Place |
| 1. Justin Palace | $3.40 | $1.60 |
| 2. Boldog Hos | $1.50 | |
| 3. Breakup | $2.90 |
WINNING TIME: 3 mins 06.1 secs
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