The G1 February Stakes could be next for Lemon Pop after his win in Sunday’s Negishi Stakes at Tokyo. Out of a half-sister to REDESDALE, the son of Lemon Drop Kid was winning for the seventh time for Godolphin. His dam, Unreachable, was acquired privately after failing to sell for $55,000 at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale. Her Good Magic colt (pictured right) that she was carrying at the time went on to sell for $325,000 – he is now under the ownership of the China Horse Club.
“This horse is very easy to ride and I thought he would be able to handle any race,” said jockey Keita Tosaki.
“He started a little slower than usual, but he was able to get a good position with his good sense of needing to recover. He ran with a good rhythm, and in the straight his response was so good. Some horses came to his side a little early so he had to move earlier than I expected, but he held out until the finish. He has both power and speed, and race-sense.”
Lemon Pop‘s win capped a very good and international day that also featured:
- a third by FROM DUSK (Bolt d’Oro) in the Listed Crocus Stakes at Tokyo. His dam FOOLISH CAUSE was a $40,000claim by Schumer BS
- a third by WINTERS LION (Accelerate) in the Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile Stakes; his dam THIS GIRL ROCKS was a $24,000 purchase in 2019
- yet another win for SIR RUBEN (Sir Percy) in Chile; his dam OSRATTY was a 13,000gns purchase
- an Oaklawn Park allowance win by KUPUNA; now the earner of $200,000 this three-time winner is out of $20,000 purchase HANALEI HAILEY, bought for 2021 while in foal to Maclean’s Music
