Her backers won’t have any trouble finding Sodashi among the 18 runners set for the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) Dec 13.

She’s the white one.

The daughter of Kurofune already is the first Japanese white to win a graded turf race and to have multiple graded victories. She would be the first officially designated white grade 1 winner in Japanese history should she extend her winning streak to four in the 1,600-meter (about one-mile) trip on the Hanshin outer turf.

Sodashi is out of the King Kamehameha mare Buchiko, whose dramatic white coloring with extensive dark markings made her equally noticeable on the racecourse.

“The white really stands out on grass,” Sodashi’s trainer, Naosuke Sugai, said a few days out from the undefeated filly’s first grade 1 effort. “I think she’s turning into a real star. … We just want her to race the way she’s capable of, and if she wins, great. And as a result of that, if interest in racing increases, you couldn’t ask for more.”

Sodashi has been at Sugai’s stable since winning the Artemis Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse Oct. 31.

“We like to keep her close because she can be sensitive,” Sugai said. “But, physically, she’s very stable.”

As always with the youngsters, there’s plenty of competition in a race that almost certainly will decide year-end honors in this division.

Trainer Sakae Kunieda and jockey Christophe Lemaire, who recently sent super mare Almond Eye to a well-deserved retirement, now are looking to Satono Reinas to fill at least part of that void.

Satono Reinas, by Deep Impact out of the accomplished Argentine mare Balada Sale, is undefeated heading into her third start. She is a full sister to Satono Flag, who was third in this season’s Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1), won by then-unbeaten Triple Crown winner Contrail.

Satono Reinas won the Oct. 4 Saffron Sho at Nakayama in her second start, and Lemaire sees improvement in the filly.

“There was a lot we had to work through when she traveled (to Nakayama), but she finished the race very strongly,” said Lemaire, Japan’s leading rider. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from the Kunieda stable. She gets better and better, and this being her third race, I’m sure this will be the best of her yet. She seems to have a real upside, and I’m sure she’ll handle the outer course at Hanshin just fine. I’m looking forward to it.” 

A promising freshman sire, 2016 Japanese champion sprinter Mikki Isle, is represented by Meikei Yell, another undefeated contender. Meikei Yell, produced by the Harbinger mare Shiroinger, is 3-for-3. Her most recent win came over 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs) in the KBS Kyoto Sho Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Hanshin.

Meikei Yell will be partnered by Japanese jockey legend Yutaka Take, riding for trainer Hidenori Take, a first cousin once removed.

“I’ve known ‘Hide’ since we were kids,” Yutaka said. “Would be great to win a grade 1 race together.”

Tacking on 200 meters to her previous longest distance won’t do any favors for a filly who has tended to be overaggressive in her first two starts, Hidenori Take admitted.

“She has looked good in the workouts,” he said. “I hope practice does translate into results. She’s physically sound and a good all-around horse. She hasn’t filled out yet, but I’m excited by the prospect. She’s classy and gorgeous—almost like an actress. A win here hopefully will really get her name out there.”

There also is a challenge in the physical layout of the Hanshin course. With three furlongs to the finish, the surface dips two meters over 400 meters, then rises steeply over the last 200 meters, just as early efforts will be taking their toll.

“She just runs really hard,” Yutaka Take said of Meikei Yell. “But as long as she can stay under control, then she has every chance.”

fonte : Bloodhorse.com