The subject of our original AI racing program is the G2 Sapporo Kinen
Tuesday, 15 August, 2023 22:02
Hishi Iguazu (Photo: Yuki Shimono)
This week, we present the top three contenders as determined by our original AI for the upcoming Sapporo Kinen.
Win Marilyn
Win Marilyn won on her debut in December of 2019. She claimed her first graded stakes victory in the G2 Flora Stakes in April 2020. Continuing her sharp upward trajectory, she was narrowly beaten by subsequent Triple Tiara winner, Daring Tact, in the G1 Japanese Oaks. From the early stages of her career, her potent ability was evident for all to see. Win Marilyn has won the G2 Nikkei Sho and the G2 All Comers.
In the 2022 Sapporo Kinen, she achieved a commendable third-place finish and she continued to perform well at the highest level with a second-place effort in G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup. In last year's G1 Hong Kong Vase, she positioned herself prominently and unleashed a powerful late surge to capture a long-awaited G1 title. Now a six-year-old, she has remained a model of consistency. As mentioned earlier, she secured a third-place finish in last year's Sapporo Kinen but given her remarkable growth, it's reasonable to consider the possibility of claiming the spot in the winner's enclosure.
Hishi Iguazu
Three victories in graded stakes races in his 17-race career, this horse is undoubtedly a powerhouse on the track. While Grade 1 race has eluded him thus far, his ability is obvious, and he can also boast a second-place finish in the 2021 G1 Hong Kong Cup and another runner-up finish in the 2022 G1 Takarazuka Kinen.
As he approaches the twilight of his career at the age of seven, his abilities show no signs of decline. He won the G2 Nakayama Kinen in his first start of 2023 in February.
In this latest start in the G1 Osaka Hai, he garnered solid support and finished as the fourth favourite, However, he finished in seventh without making a significant impact. When an overview of his career is taken into consideration, his recent performance can be deemed as an outlier. There is reason to anticipate a bounce back to form for the fan favourite.
Prognosis
Prognosis made his debut in March of 2021 in maiden stakes, and despite facing more experienced contenders, he clinched victory with a commanding performance displaying ample reserves of stamina and speed. His second race was a notable leap into graded stakes territory as he contested the G3 Mainichi Hai. Starting from the rear, he utilized his acceleration to finish fast-finishing third place.
The winner of that race was Shahryar, who later claimed victory in the G1 Japanese Derby. With just a solitary race under his belt, his ability to contend at the same level as genuine G1 horses underscores the immense potential and scope that Prognosis holds.
Prognosis kicked off 2023 by securing his first graded stakes win in the G2 Kinko Sho. In his most recent outing, the lightly raced five-year-old finished second in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup. With these performances, there's a growing sense that he's finally matured and will be a consistent threat in races at the highest level.
Prognosis has recorded the fastest late-sectional times in seven out of eight starts within Japan. The sole exception was the Mainichi Hai, where he faced formidable competitors as mentioned earlier. Even in that race, he utilized his potent closing speed for a second-place finish showcasing his trademark finishing kick. Given the right race conditions that allow him to fully capitalize on his strengths, it would be no surprise to see him clinch victory.
Win Marilyn
Win Marilyn won on her debut in December of 2019. She claimed her first graded stakes victory in the G2 Flora Stakes in April 2020. Continuing her sharp upward trajectory, she was narrowly beaten by subsequent Triple Tiara winner, Daring Tact, in the G1 Japanese Oaks. From the early stages of her career, her potent ability was evident for all to see. Win Marilyn has won the G2 Nikkei Sho and the G2 All Comers.
In the 2022 Sapporo Kinen, she achieved a commendable third-place finish and she continued to perform well at the highest level with a second-place effort in G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup. In last year's G1 Hong Kong Vase, she positioned herself prominently and unleashed a powerful late surge to capture a long-awaited G1 title. Now a six-year-old, she has remained a model of consistency. As mentioned earlier, she secured a third-place finish in last year's Sapporo Kinen but given her remarkable growth, it's reasonable to consider the possibility of claiming the spot in the winner's enclosure.
Hishi Iguazu
Three victories in graded stakes races in his 17-race career, this horse is undoubtedly a powerhouse on the track. While Grade 1 race has eluded him thus far, his ability is obvious, and he can also boast a second-place finish in the 2021 G1 Hong Kong Cup and another runner-up finish in the 2022 G1 Takarazuka Kinen.
As he approaches the twilight of his career at the age of seven, his abilities show no signs of decline. He won the G2 Nakayama Kinen in his first start of 2023 in February.
In this latest start in the G1 Osaka Hai, he garnered solid support and finished as the fourth favourite, However, he finished in seventh without making a significant impact. When an overview of his career is taken into consideration, his recent performance can be deemed as an outlier. There is reason to anticipate a bounce back to form for the fan favourite.
Prognosis
Prognosis made his debut in March of 2021 in maiden stakes, and despite facing more experienced contenders, he clinched victory with a commanding performance displaying ample reserves of stamina and speed. His second race was a notable leap into graded stakes territory as he contested the G3 Mainichi Hai. Starting from the rear, he utilized his acceleration to finish fast-finishing third place.
The winner of that race was Shahryar, who later claimed victory in the G1 Japanese Derby. With just a solitary race under his belt, his ability to contend at the same level as genuine G1 horses underscores the immense potential and scope that Prognosis holds.
Prognosis kicked off 2023 by securing his first graded stakes win in the G2 Kinko Sho. In his most recent outing, the lightly raced five-year-old finished second in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup. With these performances, there's a growing sense that he's finally matured and will be a consistent threat in races at the highest level.
Prognosis has recorded the fastest late-sectional times in seven out of eight starts within Japan. The sole exception was the Mainichi Hai, where he faced formidable competitors as mentioned earlier. Even in that race, he utilized his potent closing speed for a second-place finish showcasing his trademark finishing kick. Given the right race conditions that allow him to fully capitalize on his strengths, it would be no surprise to see him clinch victory.