by Myra Lewyn

Admire Jupiter foiled Meisho Samson’s bid to capture the marathon $2,369,811 Tenno Sho (Spring) (Jpn-G1) for a second straight year on Sunday at Kyoto when he outbattled the former champion in a fierce stretch duel to prevail by a head.

The triumph was sweet for owner Riichi Kondo and trainer Yasuo Tomomichi, whose five-year-old French Deputy horse missed a run in the 2006 Tokyo Yushum (Japanese Derby), won by Meisho Samson, because of a broken leg that sidelined him for 16 months.

“I really wanted to win this race, no matter what,” said Kondo, who openly wept following the race. “I’ve won the [Japanese] Derby [in 2006 with Admire Moon] and some other big races, but this is the one I’ve always wanted most.”

Admire Jupiter broke last under jockey Yasunari Iwata from post 14. Upon settling his mount near the back of the 15-horse field, Iwata took aim on Meisho Samson, who raced in midpack, as Hokuto Sultan set a moderate pace.

Turning for home, Meisho Samson and Admire Jupiter closed swiftly to join third-place finisher Asakusa Kings in overhauling Hokuto Sultan, who gave way in the final 100 meters.

Meisho Samon and Admire Jupiter soon matched strides in the run to the finish line, but Admire Jupiter had plenty of tenacity in the final strides and dug in to best his opponent and win his first Group 1 race.

Admire Jupiter covered 3,200 meters (15.91 furlongs) in 3:15.10 on turf rated firm.

Kondo said Admire Jupiter will be rested until fall and could be aimed for the Emirates Melbourne Cup (Aus-G1), a race at the Tenno Sho distance that Iwata won in 2006 with Delta Blues.

“I still remember the time he broke his leg,” Tomomichi said of Admire Jupiter, who is out of the Real Shadai mare J’s Jewelry. “If he hadn’t gotten hurt, I think he would have given Meisho Samson some competition at the [Japanese] Derby two years ago. When he came back in the fall, I’d never thought he’d win the Tenno Sho.”

Bred by Northern Racing, Admire Jupiter improved to seven wins in 13 career starts.

Myra Lewyn is daily news editor of Thoroughbred Times