Lemon Pop

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Lemon Pop
レモンポップ
Lemon Pop after winning the 2023 Champions Cup
SireLemon Drop Kid[1]
GrandsireKingmambo[1]
DamUnreachable[1]
DamsireGiant's Causeway[1]
SexStallion[1]
Foaled (2018-02-15) February 15, 2018 (age 6)[1]
CountryUnited States[1]
ColorChestnut[1]
BreederMr. & Mrs. Oliver S. Tait[1]
OwnerGodolphin[2]
TrainerHiroyasu Tanaka[2]
Record15:10-3-0[2]
Earnings481,756,000 JPY[2]
Major wins
Negishi Stakes (2023)
February Stakes (2023)
Mile Championship Nambu Hai (2023)
Champions Cup (2023)
Awards
JRA Award for Best Dirt Horse (2023)[3]
Last updated on February 24, 2024

Lemon Pop (Japanese: レモンポップ, foaled February 15, 2018) is an active Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse.[1][2] His major wins include the February Stakes, Mile Championship Nambu Hai, and Champions Cup. He was awarded the JRA Award for Best Dirt Horse for 2023.

His name was derived from a Japanese beverage named "Lemon Squash" ( Japanese: レモンスカッシュ).[4]

Racing career[edit]

2020/2021: two/three-year old season[edit]

Lemon Pop made his debut at the Tokyo Racecourse on November 7, 2020, in a two-year old newcomer race on dirt at the distance of 1,300 meters, and won the race while he was ridden by Keita Tosaki.[5] Three weeks later, he won the Cattleya Stakes.[6] In his three-year old season, he was pre-registered to the UAE Derby[7] and the Kentucky Derby[8] but was withdrawn and sent to graze.[9] After a long rest, he finally returned on December 12, 2021, racing in Shukugawa Tokubetsu at Hanshin Racecourse. He was ridden by Cristian Demuro this time and lost to second place.[10]

2022: four-year old season[edit]

Lemon Pop made his four-year old debut on January 5, 2022, with Cristian Demuro still on his saddle but lost to second place again. Three weeks later he was reunited with Keita Tosaki and won his second race of the season, finally entering the three-win class. He went on to win three consecutive races, the Kamakura Stakes on April 24,[11] the Keyaki Stakes on May 28,[12] and after a long rest, the Perseus Stakes on October 30.[13] He finally made his graded stakes debut on November 12 in the grade 3 Musashino Stakes at the Tokyo Racecourse over a distance of 1,600 meters.[14] Still ridden by Keita Tosaki,[15] he went on and took the lead from Bathrat Leon in the final straight but got caught by Gilded Mirror right by the nose in the final moments, he finished second place.[16]

2023: five-year old season[edit]

2023 Negishi Stakes

Lemon Pop started his five-year old season on January 29, 2023, racing in the grade 3 Negishi Stakes, and still ridden by Keita Tosaki. Cutting back the distance to 1,400 meters, he was able to hold off the late surging Gilded Mirror, finally achieving his first graded stakes victory.[17][18][19]

On February 8, it was announced that his next race is the February Stakes at the Tokyo Racecourse on February 19, his first grade 1 stakes race challenge, with Ryusei Sakai replacing Keita Tosaki on the saddle.[20][21][22] His trainer, Hiroyasu Tanaka, mentioned, "He had a tough race the last time (Negishi Stakes), but he worked hard to recover last week and his fatigue has worn off already."[21] On race day, he was the most popular horse with the winning odds of 2.2. He got off to a decent start and traveled in a good position throughout the back stretch and into the third and fourth corners. Entering into the final stretch, he finally took the lead from Dry Stout and continued to charge forward, with Red le Zele surging from the far outside, he worked hard to maintain his lead and successfully held off Red le Zele, winning the race and achieving his first grade 1 stakes victory.[23][24][25][26] The day after the race, Hiroyasu Tanaka's assistant trainer said, "He ran hard, so he's obviously tired both physically and mentally.[27] He's had two tough races in a row in a short period of time, and he's a hard working horse. He maintained his appetite so he's eating well, he's still very motivated."[28]

2023 February Stakes

He was registered to run in the Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 25 at Meydan Racecourse.[27][28] He ran in the Dubai Golden Shaheen as planned. Starting the race as the top most popular horse at the winning odds of 2.7 but he lost to 10th place, ending his current winning streak, and placing outside of second for the first time in his career. Hiroyasu Tanaka said in an interview, "It was his first 1,200 meter race, the flow of the race was tough for him. The pace produced by the world's top horses confused him and when he was urged on, there was no response. I need to rethink whether the distance was right for him or not, he looked so puzzled today. The world stage is tougher than I imagined. We have decided to let him rest for now. We will start over with him and show everyone an even stronger Lemon Pop next time."[29]

He took a break until autumn and returned to race in the domestic grade 1 Mile Championship Nambu Hai on October 9 at Morioka Racecourse.[30] At race day, he was the most popular horse at 1.5 winning odds. He took an early lead in the race and led all the way entering into the final straight. He further lengthened his lead with no one else challenged him, finishing the race with more than ten lengths ahead of Igniter, setting a record win in lengths in the history of the race.[31][32]

On October 11, Godolphin Japan's representative, Harry Sweeney, mentioned regarding his next race, "We haven't decided yet but we do have three options, the 6-furlong JBC Sprint, the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita, or the 9-furlong Champions Cup ran on early December".[33] On the 17th, it was decided that his next race will be in Champions Cup on December 3 at Chukyo Racecourse, with jockey Ryusei Sakai still in his saddle. This will be his first two-turn race and his first at 1,800 meters.[34] On race day, he was the top most popular horse at winning odds of 3.8. He started from the widest gate and took the lead immediately before entering the first corner. He maintained the lead well into the back stretch and into the third and fourth corners. Entering the final stretch with Dura Erede looming from his right, he started to lengthen his lead well into the final furlongs of the race, with no one else to catch him until Wilson Tesoro ran a late charge from the outside but was unable to take the lead. He won the race with a length and a quarter away from Wilson Tesoro, making him the fourth horse in history to win both the February Stakes and the Champions Cup in the same year, the first time in six years since Gold Dream in 2017.[35][36] He was awarded by the JRA as the best dirt horse for 2023.[3]

Racing statistics[edit]

Below data is based on data available on JBIS Search,[37] NetKeiba.com,[38] Emirates Racing Authority,[39] and TotalPerformanceData.com.[40]

Date Racecourse Race Grade Distance (condition) Runner BN HN Odds (favored) Finish Time Difference Jockey 1st place (2nd place)
2020.11.7 Tokyo 2yo Newcomer Dirt 1300m (Standard) 14 6 10 1.7 (1) 1st 1:18.2 −0.5 Keita Tosaki (Satono Mustang)
11.28 Tokyo Cattleya Stakes Open Dirt 1600m (Standard) 11 1 1 2.4 (2) 1st 1:36.4 −0.3 Keita Tosaki (Takeru Pegasus)
2021.12.12 Hanshin Shukugawa Tokubetsu 2 win Dirt 1400m (Standard) 16 2 3 2.2 (1) 2nd 1:24.2 0.2 Cristian Demuro Keiai Dorie
2022.1.5 Chukyo 4yo & Up 2 win Dirt 1400m (Standard) 16 8 15 1.6 (1) 2nd 1:24.0 0.2 Cristian Demuro Tosen Alan
1.30 Tokyo 4yo & Up 2 win Dirt 1400m (Standard) 16 3 6 1.5 (1) 1st 1:24.6 −0.5 Keita Tosaki (Nordlys)
4.24 Tokyo Kamakura Stakes 3 win Dirt 1400m (Good) 16 4 8 1.4 (1) 1st 1:22.8 −1.0 Keita Tosaki (Fascinate Z)
5.28 Tokyo Keyaki Stakes Open Dirt 1400m (Good) 16 4 8 1.6 (1) 1st 1:22.9 −0.4 Keita Tosaki (Tagano Beauty)
10.30 Tokyo Perseus Stakes Open Dirt 1400m (Standard) 16 7 13 1.4 (1) 1st 1:22.7 −0.7 Keita Tosaki (Taisei Samson)
11.12 Tokyo Musashino Stakes GIII Dirt 1600m (Standard) 16 4 7 1.7 (1) 2nd 1:35.6 0.0 Keita Tosaki Gilded Mirror
2023.1.29 Tokyo Negishi Stakes GIII Dirt 1400m (Standard) 16 7 13 1.6 (1) 1st 1:22.5 −0.1 Keita Tosaki (Gilded Mirror)
2.19 Tokyo February Stakes GI Dirt 1600m (Standard) 16 4 7 2.2 (1) 1st 1:35.6 −0.2 Ryusei Sakai (Red le Zele)
3.25 Meydan Dubai Golden Shaheen G1 Dirt 1200m (Standard) 14 6 5 2.7 (1) 10th 1:11.77 1.08 Ryusei Sakai Sibelius
10.9 Morioka Mile CS Nambu Hai JpnI Dirt 1600m (Good) 14 3 3 1.5 (1) 1st 1:33.8 −2.0 Ryusei Sakai (Igniter)
12.3 Chukyo Champions Cup GI Dirt 1800m (Standard) 15 8 15 3.8 (1) 1st 1:50.6 −0.2 Ryusei Sakai (Wilson Tesoro)
2024.2.24 King Abdulaziz Saudi Cup G1 Dirt 1800m (Standard) 14 5 7 5.4 (3) 12th 1:53.12 3.62 Ryusei Sakai Senor Buscador
  • Statistics as of February 24, 2024

Pedigree[edit]

Pedigree of Lemon Pop (USA), chestnut stallion, 2018
Sire
Lemon Drop Kid
b. 1996 		Kingmambo
b. 1990 		Mr. Prospector Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Miesque Nureyev
Pasadoble
Charming Lassie
dk.b. 1987 		Seattle Slew Bold Reasoning
My Charmer
Lassie Dear Buckpasser
Gay Missile
Dam
Unreachable
ch. 2009 		Giant's Causeway
ch. 1997 		Storm Cat Storm Bird (CAN)
Terlingua
Mariah's Storm Rahy
Immense
Harpia
b. 1994 		Danzig Northern Dancer (CAN)
Pas de Nom
Razyana His Majesty
Spring Adieu (CAN)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "レモンポップ(USA)". JBISサーチ. 公益財団法人日本軽種馬協会. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Lemon Pop | Horse Profile". netkeiba.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "「2023年度JRA賞」決定！年度代表馬はイクイノックス！ JRA". jra.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  4. ^ "競走馬情報 – レモンポップ". www.jra.go.jp. 日本中央競馬会. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  5. ^ "【東京6R新馬戦結果】外国産馬レモンポップが断然人気に応えてV | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  6. ^ "【カトレアＳ】（東京）レモンポップが人気馬同士の競り合いを制す｜競馬実況web｜競馬｜ラジオNIKKEI". ラジオNIKKEI (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  7. ^ "【UAEダービー】フランスゴデイナ・ホールシバンらが予備登録 | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  8. ^ "アメリカ三冠競走にJRA所属馬6頭が予備登録 | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  9. ^ "力感十分のフットワークのレモンポップ/馬三郎のつぶやき | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  10. ^ "【夙川特別】(阪神) ケイアイドリーが直線先に抜け出した人気馬を差し切り3勝目 | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  11. ^ "【鎌倉Ｓ】（東京）断然人気のレモンポップが完勝｜競馬実況web｜競馬｜ラジオNIKKEI". ラジオNIKKEI (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  12. ^ "【欅Ｓ】断然１番人気のレモンポップが３連勝達成 戸崎圭太騎手「まだ底を見せていない」". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2022-05-28. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  13. ^ "【ペルセウスＳ】断然人気レモンポップが楽々抜け出して４連勝 戸崎圭「能力があるのは分かっていた」". 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). 2022-10-30. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  14. ^ "【次走】レモンポップは一戦挟んで武蔵野Sへ デビューから7戦連続連対中 | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  15. ^ "【武蔵野S想定騎手】レモンポップは戸崎圭太騎手、タガノビューティーは石橋脩騎手 | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  16. ^ "【武蔵野S結果】ギルデッドミラーがレモンポップを差し切り重賞初V、牝馬の勝利は初 | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  17. ^ "【根岸S結果】レモンポップが正攻法の立ち回りで押し切りV フェブラリーSへ名乗り". netkeiba.com. 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  18. ^ "【根岸S】レモンポップ重賞初制覇！1番人気の支持に応えた". スポーツニッポン. 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  19. ^ "【根岸Ｓ】レモンポップが直線堂々と抜け出し重賞初Ｖ！東京ダート千四は５戦５勝". サンケイスポーツ. 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  20. ^ "レモンポップ　坂井との新コンビでフェブラリーSへ". スポーツニッポン. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  21. ^ a b "根岸Ｓ優勝のレモンポップが坂井瑠星騎手とのコンビでフェブラリーＳ参戦へ　田中博師が正式に発表". サンケイスポーツ. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  22. ^ "根岸Sの覇者レモンポップはフェブラリーSへ　鞍上は坂井瑠星騎手". netkeiba.com. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  23. ^ "【フェブラリーS】レモンポップがG1初制覇！！重賞連勝でダート界の頂点に　坂井「ホっとしている」". スポーツニッポン. 2023-02-19. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  24. ^ "【フェブラリーS結果】レモンポップが横綱相撲でGI初挑戦V デビューから11戦連続連対". netkeiba.com. 2023-02-19. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  25. ^ "【フェブラリーＳ】１番人気のレモンポップがＧ１初制覇　田中博師は念願のＧ１初タイトル". デイリースポーツ. 2023-02-19. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  26. ^ "【フェブラリーＳ】砂の新王者誕生！　レモンポップ横綱相撲でＧ１初挑戦初制覇". スポーツ報知. 2023-02-19. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  27. ^ a b "レモンポップ　疲労困憊で静養　フェブラリーＳ制覇から一夜明け　今後は慎重に". netkeiba.com. 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  28. ^ a b "レモンポップ お疲れモード　フェブラリーS制覇から一夜明け　今後はドバイゴールデンシャヒーン視野". スポーツニッポン. 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  29. ^ "【ドバイゴールデンS】10着レモンポップの田中博師「想像以上に世界は厳しかった」". スポーツニッポン. March 26, 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  30. ^ "【次走】レモンポップは南部杯かシリウスS | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  31. ^ "【南部杯】レモンポップ圧勝でドバイの悔しさ晴らす、坂井騎手「底見せてない」伸びしろまだある". 日刊スポーツ. October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  32. ^ "【南部杯】レモンポップが復活を告げる圧勝 後続に2秒差をつける独走でG1・2勝目 | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  33. ^ "レモンポップの次走は3つの選択肢 ゴドルフィンが発表 | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  34. ^ "【注目馬動向】南部杯Vのレモンポップは引き続き坂井瑠星騎手とのコンビでチャンピオンズCへ | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  35. ^ "【チャンピオンズＣ】「初モノ」と「大外枠」克服 レモンポップ坂井瑠星がとった迷いなき戦略（東スポ競馬）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  36. ^ "【チャンピオンズC結果】レモンポップが逃げ切りV！ JRAダートGI春秋制覇達成！ | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  37. ^ "レモンポップ 競走成績". JBISサーチ. 公益社団法人日本軽種馬協会. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  38. ^ "レモンポップの競走成績". netkeiba. Net Dreamers Co., Ltd. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  39. ^ "Emirates Racing Authority". emiratesracing.com. エミレーツ競馬協会. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  40. ^ "Total Performance Data". Retrieved April 7, 2023.
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