Chrono Genesis landed her fourth group 1 victory June 26 at Hanshin Racecourse; winning the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) for the second straight year and emerging as the new hope to end decades of Japanese frustration in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).
The mare made short work of the Takarazuka Kinen. Racing well in hand for jockey Christophe Lemaire; Chrono Genesis was perfectly positioned behind early leader Unicorn Lion and previously undefeated 4-year-old filly Lei Papale with 200 meters to run. Unicorn Lion and Le Papale continued their spirited competition but only after Chrono Genesis had blitzed past them to win by 2 1/2 lengths; finishing the 2,200 meters (about 1 3/8 miles) over good to firm turf in 2:10.90. Unicorn Lion won the battle for second by a neck.
Along with her Takarazuka Kinen and Arima Kinen (G1) titles last year; Chrono Genesis became the fifth horse and first mare to win three Grand Prix races events in which Japanese fans vote which horses they want to see in the field. Her career earnings passed the billion-yen mark; the fifth female to achieve that total after Vodka; Buena Vista, Gentildonna, and Almond Eye. ¥1,000,000,000 equates to just more than US$9 million.
Takarazuka Kinen History
is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds where they run over a distance of 2,200 metres (approximately 1+3⁄8 miles) at Hanshin Racecourse in late June. It is one of the two “All-Star” races in Japanese horse racing; the other is the Arima Kinen (the Grand Prix) in late December.
It was first run in 1960 with a distance of 1,800 metres. From 1961 to 1965 the race was run over 2,000 metres and since 1966 it has been run over its present distance.
The race is run on the turf and is named after the city of Takarazuka; Hyōgo, the location of Hanshin Racecourse, which is the venue of the race.
As with the Arima Kinen; the majority of the runners in the field are selected by a vote from racing fans; while the remainder are determined by the amount of prizemoney won.
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