FUNABASHI, Chiba Pref. -- Meisho Samson and Dream Passport turned the tables on the top picks in the Satsukisho on Sunday at Nakayama with a surprise one-two finish that had the crowd checking their programs for names.
Meisho Samson and jockey Mamoru Ishibashi (left) race to victory at the 66th running of the
Satsukisho on Sunday at Nakayama Racecourse in Chiba Prefecture.
Meisho Samson, a dark horse at sixth pick, finished a half-length over 10th choice Dream Passport to capture the 66th running of the spring classic, the first leg of Japan's triple crown. Jockey Mamoru Ishibashi was handed his first Grade 1 win after 22 years riding. Meisho Samson clocked 1 minute, 59.9 seconds over the 2,000 meters of turf.