Japanese Oaks winner Cesario became the first Japanese-based horse to win a top-level race in the U.S. as she demolished the competition in the 12-filly American Oaks at Hollywood Park on Sunday.
Jockeyed by Yuichi Fukunaga, Cesario, who won the May 22 Japanese Oaks after suffering the first loss of her career in the Okasho (Japan's 1,000 Guineas) April 10, charged to the front on the third corner en route to beating race favorite Melhor Ainda by four lengths.
Cesario's time was a record 1 minute, 59.3 seconds over 2,000 meters of turf. The win netted $750,000 in prize money.
"I didn't imagine losing the race at all. I was confident of her ability," said Fukunaga.
Cesario was bred at Northern Farm in Hokkaido. She is by Special Week out of the Sadlers Well mare Kirov Premiere.