Favored Symboli Kris S bowed out in style, winning Sunday's Arima Kinen (Jpn-I) by nine lengths for his second straight victory in the Japanese Grand Prix.It was the largest margin of victory in the history of the Japanese fixture. Lincoln, ridden by Yutaka Take, was a distant second in the 2,500-meter event before a reported 124,370 at Nakayami Racecourse in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture.
In his final race, Symboli Kris S surged to the front with jockey Olivier Peslier and coasted home in 2:30.5, a stakes record. Symboli Kris S earned 180 million yen in first-place prize money. "I stayed in the back as long as I could but I didn't want to stay too far behind," Peslier told The Daily Yomiuri . "I wanted to do better than the third-place finish at the Japan Cup and Symboli Kris S showed that he is the best horse today." The 4-year-old colt is slated to begin stud duty at Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido after being syndicated for a reported $15 million.Breaking from post 12, Symboli Kris S made his move from the fifth position after Lincoln took the lead on the third turn. Once in the final stretch, the winner blew past Lincoln for the victory. Zenno Rob Roy was third. Symboli Kris S, who won his fourth group I title and his eighth race overall in 15 lifetime starts, returned 260 yen on a 100-yen wager. He retires with 984.7 million yen won.Japan Cup (Jpn-I) winner Tap Dance City, the second favorite behind Symboli Kris S, finished eighth.
Olivier Peslier pumps his fist after winning the Arima Memorial on favorite Symboli Kris S.
