Justin Milano with Keita Tosaki on board won the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), in a record time of 1:57.1 seconds. Cosmo Kuranda finished second, a neck behind the winner, and Jantar Mantar came home in third a half-length behind Cosmo Kuranda.

Justin Milano is a son of Kizuna out of Margot Did, by Exceed And Excel. He became the 21st unbeaten Satsuki Sho winner in JRA history. This race was also memorable for all as the JRA jockey Kota Fujioka, who passed away following an accident on the 6th of April, used to ride track work aboard Justin Milano before the Satsuki Sho.