NEWS
Deep Impact redeems himself with clear triumph in Japan Cup, Ouija Board third
Posted: Sunday, November 26, 2006
Deep Impact, disqualified for a medication infraction after finishing third as the favorite in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1), rebounded on Sunday with a resounding two-length victory in the $4.1-million Japan Cup (Jpn-G1) before a crowd of more than 120,000 at Tokyo Racecourse.
With his usual lightning-quick move in the homestretch, Deep Impact surged from the back of the field and powered past pacesetter Cosmo Bulk and rallying Dream Passport for a relatively easy victory in the 26th Japan Cup. Ouija Board (GB), winner of the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) in her previous start and Cartier Horse of the Year in Europe, also challenged in the stretch but tired late to finish third, a half-length behind 16.20-to-1 longshot Dream Passport.
Deep Impact completed the 2,400 meters (11.93 furlongs) in 2:25.10.
Winner of the 2005 Japanese Triple Crown and the reigning Japanese Horse of the Year, Deep Impact went off as the 1.30-to-1 favorite on a rainy afternoon. His trainer, Yasuo Ikee, and his jockey, Yutaka Take, acknowledged the impact of the Sunday Silence colt's disqualification for the bronchodilator ipratropium, which France bars from racing but Japan does not.
"Since the Arc, we've been through a lot, and it's been a testing time for us," said Ikee, who trains Deep Impact for owner Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd. "I have learned that, even if you are at your lowest, things can turn up again." Ikee also said Deep Impact had not regained all the weight he lost from his travels to Europe.
The Japan Cup was the penultimate start for Deep Impact, who has now won 11 of 13 starts and earned $10,961,439. Shortly after the Arc on October 1, Deep Impact was syndicated for approximately $43-million to stand at the Yoshida family's Shadai Stallion Station. His final start will be the Arima Kinen on December 24 at Nakayama Racecourse. The Arima Kenen was Deep Impact's only defeat in his three-year-old season; he finished second by a half-length to Heart's Cry.
