The 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) Tenno Sho is often a first opportunity for 3-year-olds to compete against older horses at a time when some of the latter are otherwise busy on the international front or preparing for the Japan Cup (G1) three weeks later.
That said, Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile came in as favorites and third favorites against some talented and more experienced rivals, including six Grade 1 winners, and lived up to expectations.
Masquerade Ball, one Difficult foal, and Museum Mile, by Leontes both were well off the pace as the field of 14 horses swung out of the short chute and into the backstretch run. They held their positions in the big bend, where the field expanded and left gaps.
Lemaire moved Masquerade Ball up some 400 meters further, splitting rivals, hitting the front in the final 100 meters and holding on to win by 3/4 lengths from Museum Mile and jockey Cristian Demuro, who took an outside path into the straight.
Justin Palace a 6 year old son of Deep impact came third and the second favorite, 5-year-old Keyboardfinished eighth. Masquerade Ball finished in 1:58.6 while running on good to firm grass.
The Tenno Sho was the first Grade 1 win for Masquerade Ball, who finished third in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Metres, G1) in April and then been inactive since finishing second in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1) on June 1 behind Northern Cross .
Lemaire, who rode the colt for the first time, won the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1) with Energetic a week earlier and the Shuka Sho (G1) on board Embroidery another week before that.
“It’s great to be back on this podium for the third week and I’m very happy to have won the Tenno Sho,” said Lemaire.
“I raced behind Tastiera to keep a close eye on him during the ride. After the climb, Masquerade Ball found his own speed and another gear to outrun the rest right down to the wire. He was great.”
Lemaire said the colt is heading in the right direction, adding that he was “probably still green in the Derby.”
“But he has matured and become stronger as we enter the autumn season and perhaps he can go for a Grade 1 this year. If not, he will certainly be one of the top horses next season.”
Do Deuce won the 2024 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and went on to win the Japan Cup and Horse of the Year honors.
Trainer Takahisa Tezuka, who scored his 10th win in Group 1, said the layoff after the spring races was by design.
“From the Japanese Derby I planned to bring him back this race,” said the trainer. “He returned from the farm on October 8.”
Masquerade Ball, out of the Deep Impact mare Mask off has Sunday silence three generations back, both at the top and bottom of his family tree. He was bred by Shadai Farm and carries the colors of Shadai Race Horse Co.
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