Brilliant Japanese performer Lemon Pop, out of Schumer Bloodstock purchase Unreachable, returned to winning ways in style for Godolphin on Wednesday when successful in the Listed Sakitama Hai at Urawa in Japan.
The reigning champion Japanese dirt horse was making his first start since running unplaced in the G1 Saudi Cup. Having moved into the lead at halfway, he maintained the advantage to win by two lengths from Igniter.
The victory was especially meaningful to the Godolphin Japan team, as outlined in the TDN. “Today we said a final goodbye to a valued member of our training team, Kaz Nabeta, who died suddenly last week. Today’s win is for him,” said Godolphin Japan President Harry Sweeney.
“Urawa is a tight and tricky track, and we were much less confident than his starting odds would suggest. Lemon Pop will definitely be joining our stallion roster next year, but may run once or twice again this year. It is early days yet, but it would seem logical for him to defend his title in the Mile Championship Nambu Hai. In the immediate aftermath of the race, Tanaka trainer mooted the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, but I’m not fully convinced, as Lemon Pop may be like Guinness beer–brilliant at home but doesn’t travel well.”
Last year, Lemon Pop became only the fourth horse to win both JRA Group 1 dirt races in the same calendar year when sweeping the Group 1 February Stakes and Champions Cup at Chukyo in Japan
The son of Lemon Drop Kid is out of Unreachable, a daughter of Giant’s Causeway from the family of Danehill who was purchased privately by Chad Schumer as agent for $50,000 after she failed to sell at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale. The mare’s yearling colt by Maclean’s Music made $310,000 at last year’s Keeneland September Sale to Irish pinhooker Tom Whitehead.
