Mozu Superflare’s thrilling win in Saturday’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo in Japan gave Speightstown his 17th worldwide Grade 1 winner, this one in front-running style in 1,200 meter contest for fillies and mares.
The 5-year-old made the most of her first start since last September, when she was second in the Grade 1 Sprinters S. Going to the lead right from the outset on Saturday, she set all the pace and won in an extremely close four-way photo.
“She broke well as I hoped she would and was able race in her own rhythm,” said winning jockey Fuma Matsuwaka. “With the sun coming out in the afternoon, the ground was not as bad as we had anticipated, which I think worked in her favor. I’m genuinely happy that we were able to win our first Group 1 title.”
The victory upped Mozu Superflare’s record to 7-2-1 in 20 starts, with earnings of $1,233,466 for Capital System Co., Ltd.
Among Speightstown’s charges this year is Flagstaff, recent winner of the San Carlos S. (G2) at Santa Anita Park, and the venerable Yorkton, second in last weekend’s Sir Shackleton S. at Gulfstream Park.
Pedigree Notes from the TDN
Mozu Superflare is one of 52 graded/group winners and 111 black-type winners for Speightstown. The winner is a half-brother to GIII Old Hat S. victress Sacristy, the dam of SW and GI Santa Anita Oaks bridesmaid Flor de la Mar (Tiznow). Since foaling Mozu Superflare in 2015, Christies Treasure, who ran second in the Tweedside S. at Belmont, has produced four consecutive colts– including an Exaggerator 2-year-old of 2020.
