TOYOAKE, Aichi Pref. (Kyodo) Third pick Laurel Guerreiro held on for a half-length victory over top favorite Sleepless Night at the Takamatsunomiya Kinen on Sunday.
Laurel Guerreiro led the 18-horse field in the early stages and came back for his first Grade One victory after briefly giving up the lead to Sleepless Night late in the 1,200-meter race.
"I thought the race would be over when we lost the lead to Sleepless Night," jockey Shinji Fujita said. "But Laurel Guerreiro still had some energy left. I'm so glad we got the lead back."