FUNABASHI, (Chiba Pref.) With Deep Impact's bid for the coveted Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but hours away, the fall slew of top-level races kicked off on the home turf Sunday with the 40th running of the Sprinters Stakes.
Romping over the finish line with ease was Takeover Target, Australia's sprinter of the year and one of four foreign-based runners to take on this year's Sprinters Stakes.
Takeover Target, who ran second in the Centaur Stakes Sept. 10, went off the favorite of a field of 16 that included Hong Kong's heavyweight, Silent Witness, winner of last year's Sprinters.