KYOTO -- The winner of last year's Japanese St. Leger's, Hishi Miracle, came from off the pace Sunday at Kyoto Racecourse to capture the Emperor's Cup by half a length over Sunrise Jaeger.
Heavy favorite Daitaku Bertram, caught in traffic at the final bend, had to settle for third place a neck behind the runnerup. Tsurumaru Boy finished in fourth place, with Dantsu Flame, the only other Grade I winner in this year's lineup, crossing the line in fifth.
The 3,200-meter spring version of the Emperor's Cup (run twice a year), saw its first full gate of 18 in eight years. With no strong frontrunners in its ranks, the race got off to an expectedly slow start with Ar Alan and Tagano My Bach leading until the final stages and the top finishers all remaining rearward of midpack until well into the second lap.