Longshot Justin Chicago Stuns in St. Lite纪念, Securing Final Ticket to Kikuka Sho
The 75th Sankei Sho Zentai Kinen (St. Lite Kinen, Grade 2), a official trial race offering a priority berth to the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, Grade 1), took place at Nakayama Racecourse. Justin Chicago, a three-year-old colt sent off as a distant 12th favorite under jockey Yusuke Hara, delivered a stunning late-surging victory in the homestretch to claim his first graded stakes title. Breaking cleanly, Justin Chicago settled into an ideal pocket position along the inside rail, running in second or third place during the journey. Amid a slow, steady pace, he responded brilliantly to jockey Hara's superb tactical ride, saving ground throughout. Emerging powerfully from the stretch battle, he crossed the finish line in first place. Savoir Faire, the second favorite, finished second, while Audacia, the sixth favorite, took third. These top three finishers secured the coveted priority berths to the Kikuka Sho. The massive upset caused by the 12th-...