Bellagio Opera wins this year’s Osaka Hai at Hanshin.
Second Pick Bellagio Opera captured his first G1 and third graded victory in this year's Osaka Hai. Winning his debut start in November as a two-year-old, the son of Lord Kanaloa marked his third consecutive victory when winning the Spring Stakes (G2, 1,800m) in March 2023. Though well beaten to 10th in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000m), he registered a close and respectable fourth in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1, 2,400m). After capping off his three-year-old season with his second graded title in the Challenge Cup (G3, 2,000m) in December, he commenced the current season with a runner-up effort in the Kyoto Kinen (G2, 2,200m) on February 11 before coming into this race. Jockey-turned-trainer Hiroyuki Uemura, who opened his yard in 2019, celebrated his first JRA G1 and fifth graded title while jockey Kazuo Yokoyama registered his third G1 title since his victory with Titleholder in the 2022 Takarazuka Kinen.
Breaking sharply from the outer stall, Bellagio Opera rushed out to rally for the lead and settled just behind Stunning Rose to press the pace in second. The Lord Kanaloa colt continued to stalk the frontrunner turning the last two corners to enter the lane in close second, overtook the front before the 200-meter pole and managed to fend off the repeated efforts of Rousham Park and fast-closing Rouge Eveil to cross the wire a neck and a nose in front.
"I was so disappointed when we lost the Derby that I really wanted to win a G1 with this horse. So, I'm really, really happy. Bellagio Opera has very good maneuverability, and I knew that he was in good condition, so I decided to race him toward the front. He's really strong when it comes to a close rally. I'm glad he held off his rivals," commented jockey Kazuo Yokoyama.
Unhurried in 13th early, third pick Rousham Park made rapid headway toward the front in the backstretch, turned the last two corners outside the eventual winner to rally for the lead and, while unable to catch the stubborn leader, sustained his bid to hold off the late chargers by a nose for second place.
Eleventh choice Rouge Eveil traveled around 12th, saved ground turning for home, fought well, launching the fastest late drive to close in on the leaders, and while missing the runner-up spot, secured third place by a half-length margin.
Race favorite Tastiera hugged the rails in fourth and shifted slightly to the outside after entering the lane to make bid, but the Satono Crown colt was one paced and gradually fell back in the last 200 meters to finish 11th.
Other Horses:
4th: (9) Stella Veloce—raced around 9th, switched to outside at early stretch, accelerated
5th: (6) Geoglyph—chased leaders around 4th, showed effort but no match for top finishers
6th: (8) Pradaria—settled around 6th on rails, gradually closed in on leaders but needed more
7th: (10) Sol Oriens—sat around 9th early, made headway in backstretch, showed brief effort at
stretch
8th: (5) Stunning Rose—set pace, showed tenacity after surrendering lead, weakened in last
100m
9th: (16) Catedral—settled 3rd from rear, showed belated response to pass tired rivals
10th: (14) Epiphany—broke poorly, ran 2nd from rear, gradually advanced, never fired
12th: (4) Hayayakko—trailed in rear, turned wide, never threatened
13th: (7) Harper—raced 3-wide around 6th, failed to keep up with frontrunners
14th: (1) Mikki Gorgeous—took economic trip around 9th, unable to reach contention
15th: (12) Killer Ability—traveled 3-wide in 8th, gradually dropped back
16th: (15) Licancabur—prominent early in 3rd, faded after 1,000m to go
