Japan Cup final order of finish:  1   T M Opera O (R Wada) 1-2  2   Meisho Doto (Y Yasuda) 14-1  3   Fantastic Light (L Dettori) 17-2 also ran  4   Ela Athena  5   Daiwa Texas  6   Matikane Kinnohoshi  7   Reve d'Oscar  8   Stay Gold  9   John's Call 10   Golden Snake 11   Timboroa 12   Fruits of Love 13   Agnes Flight 14   Air Shakur 15   Eagle Cafe 16   Silk Prima Donna

Japan Cup 2000

Dateline: 11/26/00
By: Terence Dulay with photos by Bill Selwyn

Pictures

On Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse seven foreigners took on the nine locals in the $4.284 million Japan Cup, attempting to end the locals' three-race winning streak. The foreign contingent included Breeders' Cup Turf second place finisher John's Call, Godolphin representative Fantastic Light, and the filly Ela Athena. Sent off as the 1-2 favorite was T M Opera O, who was going into the Cup with a perfect 6 for 6 record this year and was attempting to set the world record for earnings with a win in this Group 1 event.

After the gate opened, 54-1 longshot Stay Gold went to the front to set a steady pace, with American hopeful John's Call stalking in behind him, at odds of 18-1.

T M Opera O

As the field hit the top of the stretch, Stay Gold and John's Call continued to hold the lead with Meisho Doto racing in behind them while the closers began to make their moves to the front, led by eventual winner T M Opera O. With a furlong to go, Stay Gold and John's Call weakened and faded to 8th and 9th respectively and Meisho Doto took the lead. T M Opera O, who had been in 7th most of the way around, got even with Meisho Doto with a furlong and a half to go and led for the final 1/16 for the win by a neck. Fantastic Light under jockey Frankie Dettori, who had been as far back as 11th, rallied in the final quarter mile to finish third another nose back. T M Opera O completed the 2400 meter (about 1 1/2 miles) turf feature in 2:26.10 over a course rated firm. By taking the winner's share of $2.281 million he increased his career earnings to just over $11 million and bypassed Cigar for the all-time lead and world record.

Jockey Frankie Dettori said of Fantastic Light, "The pace was too slow for him. He did his best, but the first two were quicker." New York based jockey Jean-Luc Samyn aboard John's Call, said "It was slow, so I was able to settle him but he flattened out a furlong from the wire." Winning jockey Ryuji Wada called it an "overwhelming victory".

On Saturday's card at Tokyo was the inaugural running of the Group 1 Japan Cup Dirt, with a purse of $2.3 million. Two American-based horses, Lord Sterling and Euchre, shipped in to take on thirteen locals but finished 3rd and 8th respectively. The winner was Wing Arrow, who completed the 1 5/16 mile race in track record time of 2:07.20 over a fast track.

• Japan Cup Chart - from Racing Post with final odds and comments on running
• Japan Cup Dirt results - Japan's Wing Arrow and Sunford City first and second with Lord Sterling from the USA third in a new track record time of 2:07.2
• Japan Cup entries - with post positions, weights, country, and more.
• Japan Cup links - for more info and news from both races

Meisho Doto (13, left) and TM Opera O (8, right) early in the running of the 2000 Japan Cup.

The finish of the Japan Cup with the top three finishers separated by less than a length. From left to right they are Fantastic Light (3rd), TM Opera O (1st), and Meisho Doto (2nd).

T.M. Opera O hits the finish line first in the Japan Cup with Meisho Doto second (inside) and Fantastic Light third (outside). His owner Masatsugu Takezono named the horse by using his initials (last name first as is customary in Japan), then Opera which refers to his sire Opera House, and finally O which means king.

Wing Arrow wins the inaugural Japan Cup Dirt for the home team with Sanford City second and US entry Lord Sterling third.

Photos from the European entrants final workouts.

All photos by Bill Selwyn. Logo courtesy of Japan Racing Association.

On the Forum:

Previous Features