Second-favorite Justin Palace earned his first Grade 1 victory in the 167th running of the Spring Tenno-sho, held Sunday at Kyoto Racecourse for the first time in three years following its renovation.
Jockey Christophe Lemaire positioned Justin Palace behind the leading pack before guiding the four-year-old colt to the front moments after entering the final stretch, winning the 3,200-meter race in 3 minutes, 16.1 seconds, two-and-a-half lengths ahead of fifth-pick Deep Bond.
"I'm really happy to have won the first Tenno-sho at the renewed Kyoto Racecourse," said Lemaire. "I thought we were absolutely going to win during the last stretch."
"The movement of the horse was good and he also ran with composure. We enjoyed running the straight line."
Sixth-favorite Silver Sonic was third, a length behind Deep Bond, while overall favorite Titleholder, bidding to win the race back-to-back, failed to finish.
