Japanese runners landed a knockout one-two punch to claim both the Japan Cup Dirt and the Japan Cup on Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse, keeping the winner's share at home for the second year in a row.
Japan's Time Paradox, who went to the gate a far fourth pick, turned in a surprise win in the fifth running of the Japan Cup Dirt under Yutaka Take in a time of 2 minutes, 8.7 seconds over 2,100 meters of dirt. Take, making excellent use of an inside course, held the 6-year-old son of Brian's Time to the rail midfield and took the lead from the 400-meter mark to remain unchallenged to the end.
Overwhelming favorite Admire Don, second by a nose last year and third by a neck the previous year, was unable to better his Japan Cup Dirt record, and finished 2 1/2 lengths off the winner, 1 length ahead of Gene Crisis, with Total Impact from the U.S. topping the three overseas runners to finish fourth.