Breeders’ Cup history was made Saturday at Del Mar when Loves Only You prevailed in the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf to become the first Japanese-based horse to win in the 38-year history of the event.
The winning move by Loves Only You and jockey Yuga Kawada came in the final furlong when they deftly split the two leaders, favorite War Like Goddess and My Sister Nat, and spurted clear to win by a half-length. My Sister Nat, a 29-1 long shot for trainer Chad Brown, edged War Like Goddess by a head for second with second-choice Love (3-1) completing the superfecta.
Takumi Tomoto, director for the ownership group DMM Dream Club Co., addressed the significance of the win for Japan in the post-race news conference.
“We’ve had so many horses challenge the Breeders’ Cup and never had a victory,” Tomoto said. “I felt like a challenger coming here. Finally we got the victory.”
War Like Goddess and My Sister Nat were last and next to last after three furlongs completed in 1:13.06 by Going to Vegas on a firm turf course. That pair, along with European champion Love, each commenced to launch outside moves on the final turn that put them in front of the pack by the eighth pole. At that point as Love began to weaken, Loves Only You surged through a narrow opening to earn the win.
Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, Loves Only You, returned $10.60 as the third choice in the wagering, The winning time for 1 3/8 miles on firm turf was 2:13.87.
“You know, we made history,” Tomoto said. “We won the Breeders’ Cup... I think winning will open Japanese racing to the Breeders’ Cup (even further).”
As for favored War Like Goddess, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott noted she and jockey Julien Leparoux may have launched their bid a bit too early.
“She moved a little quick around the turn,” Mott said. “(Leparoux) said when he tipped her out, she got a little aggressive and took off with him. No big excuse. But maybe she got to the lead a bit too soon.”
Loves Only You attracted plenty of support at the betting windows based largely off her victory in Hong Kong’s Queen Elizabeth II (G1) and when beaten less than length by international star Mishriff in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). Between the Queen Elizabeth in April and the Breeders’ Cup, Loves Only You’s only start was a runner-up in Japan’s Sapporo Kinen (G2) on Aug. 22.
The winning connections said the decision to target the Breeders’ Cup came after the win in the Queen Elizabeth. Yahagi said Loves Only You would now target the Hong Kong Cup (G1) on Dec. 12.
