2006 News
February 26, 2006
THE 80TH NAKAYAMA KINEN (JPN GII)
Sunday, February 26, 2006
RESULT OF THE 80TH NAKAYAMA KINEN (JPN GII)
BALANCE OF GAME succeeded in capturing his second consecutive Nakayama Kinen (GII) title and his sixth grade-race victory overall, never giving his rivals a chance to overtake the defending champion from start to finish.
All broke smoothly except for JRA's 2005 Best Sprinter and Miler and third pick HAT TRICK who broke in air at the start and was never a contender throughout the race. BALANCE OF GAME immediately rushed to set the pace while AIR MESSIAH also sped to join the leaders from the outside. Favorite DAIWA MAJOR saved ground behind the leader while CAMPHOR BEST was rated outside DAIWA MAJOR to form a group of four with the rest of the field trailing another five lengths behind along the backstretch. The field traveled over the wet turf rated "Yielding" at a moderate pace. As the field merged into one coming around the turn for home, BALANCE OF GAME prevailed in the lead and found another gear to pull away to a five-length victory in front of runner-up DAIWA MAJOR while AIR MESSIAH managed to hold off a good late effort from COMPANY for third place.
