Okasho champion Still in Love (Sunday Silence-Bradamante, by Roberto) captured her second crown in the filly classics as she easily topped the field in Sunday's Oaks by a length and a quarter.
Still in Love's double marked the first one-two win of the series since Vega 10 years ago. Longshot Chunyi (Sunday Silence-From Beyond, by Kris) followed the winner over the line in second, with darkhorses Shinko Ruby and Yamakatsu Lily finishing in third and fourth, respectively.
Hideaki Miyuki allowed Still in Love to linger at the rear of the 17-strong field of the Oaks' 64th running, then went wide in the stretch and gained the lead with 150 meters to go.
The overwhelming favorite, Admire Groove, lost her cool in the gate (what jockey Yutaka Take later described as his "most feared scenario"), broke poorly and was unable to settle to the race's slow pace. Miyuki, who's main reaction to the Okasho win was one of relief, said winning the Oaks was pure joy. Miyuki had high praise for Still in Love.
"She's an easy ride and dependable. There is nothing more I could ask of her," the 27-year-old said. Still in Love is trained by Shoichi Matsumoto and was bred at the Shimokobe Farm in Hokkaido's Monbetsu.