A Scenic and Competitive Day at Sapporo
Sapporo Racecourse comes alive on August 17 with a full 12-race summer card that promises excitement across all distances. With the backdrop of Hokkaido’s rolling greenery and a testing turf layout, racing fans can expect a perfect blend of speed, stamina, and strategic riding. As part of the Japan Racing Association ’s triple-venue program alongside Niigata and Chukyo, Sapporo adds its signature flair with competitive fields and thrilling finishes.
Early Maidens Showcase Rising Stars
The day opens with a contest for 2-year-old maidens over 1200 meters at 9:55 am. Horses like Tosen Christel, Nishino Ganriki, Light as Feather, Santa Caliz, and Hachi Hachi Rose look to make their first mark on the turf. Stakes are 10,600,000 Yen, and the race will reveal which youngsters are ready to step up.
At 10:30 am, 3-year-old maidens tackle 2400 meters, featuring Kimutakku Faith (J: Kota Washizu, T: Naoyuki Morita), Kitano en Ciel (J: Kazuma Harada, T: Toshihiro Ebina), and Crayon Pop (J: Fuma Ono, T: Takahiro Mizuno), alongside Arde Fox and Stay Ambitious. Expect a strategic battle as each seeks a breakthrough.
Later, at 11:00 am, another maiden showdown over 2000 meters will test Clin d’Oeil, Ange Flamme, Smile Rush, Ever Stay, and Dolce Luna, where breeding and preparation meet opportunity in a pivotal early-season contest.
By 11:30 am, upcoming challengers Mana Etre, Ecoro Athena, Personal Record, Boldhearted, and Earth Grazer face 1700 meters, making first impressions count in a race where ambition meets pressure.
Midday Newcomers and Allowance Battles
The 12:20 pm race brings 2-year-old newcomers over 1800 meters, featuring Justin Chicago, Super Girl, O K Grace, Shonan Bourbon, and G T Meteor. Improvement and consistency will be the key for these first-time competitors.
The 12:50 pm allowance race over 1000 meters pits Sanono American (J: Haruki Wada, T: Shoichi Temma), Blue Daisy (J: Naho Furukawa, T: Hitoshi Matoba), and Fellini (J: Yusuke Fujioka, T: Shinsuke Hashiguchi) against Sei Gen and Peregrine. This tightly packed field promises a fast, tactical dash.
At 1:25 pm, the 3-year-old and up allowance race over 1500 meters features Rouge Millenaire, Luna Luceat, Ut Journey, Pearly Luster, and Love Squal. With evenly matched competition, strategy and positioning could prove decisive.
Afternoon Stakes Heat Up
By 2:00 pm, class rises as Ralph Tesoro, Thunder Road, Odoranya Sonson, and Juventas contest 1700 meters in a spirited test of quality and pace.
The Otaru Tokubetsu at 2:35 pm over 1200 meters draws Grand Therese (J: Katsuma Sameshima, T: Kunihiko Watanabe), Dagger Ring (J: Hayato Yoshida, T: Yuji Wada), and Magical Shine (J: Yutaka Take, T: Hidenori Take). Speed and stamina collide in what promises to be a highlight of the afternoon.
At 3:10 pm, the Odorikoen Tokubetsu over 1000 meters tests consistency in Clarity Scale, Pearl Front, Rural Happiness, Sandy Blonde, Cowslip, and Hirono Gokai. Stakes of 29,790,000 Yen raise the intensity as the late card takes shape.
Feature Race: The Sapporo Kinen (G2)
The pinnacle of the day is the Sapporo Kinen at 3:45 pm over 2000 meters. Top contenders Born This Way (J: Yuichi Fukunaga, T: Kiyoshi Hagiwara), Keiai Sena (J: Norihiro Yokoyama, T: Yuji Ito), Top Knife (J: Yuga Kawada, T: Mitsumasa Nakauchida), Chevalier Rose (J: Christophe Lemaire, T: Kazuya Nakatake), and Veloce Era (J: Mirco Demuro, T: Sakae Kunieda) clash in a true test of stamina, pace, and tactical mastery. Expect a memorable showdown that could define the meeting.
Closing Thrills in the Akanko Tokubetsu
The day concludes with the Akanko Tokubetsu at 4:30 pm over 2600 meters, featuring Waterhouse, Purple Cloud, Win Maximum, Alberic, Cite Florale, Life Saving, and Dantsu Fighter. A wide-open contest ensures fans leave with adrenaline high after a full day of competitive racing.
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