Listed breakthrough for La Quemada at Kyoto

La Quemada secured a first Listed victory as he showed a potent turn of foot to comfortably take the Azuchijo Stakes at Kyoto, Japan, on Sunday, 1 June. 

The American Patriot entire, who was third in February’s G3 Kokura Daishoten, was lining up over seven furlongs for only the second time having raced over a mile and nine furlongs throughout his career. 

Held up in ninth on the outside of the 16 runners, La Quemada travelled enthusiastically throughout for Yusuke Fujioka, who produced the Teruhiko Chida-trained five-year-old wide at the top of the straight. 

La Quemada made good inroads approaching the final furlong and stayed on powerfully to hit the front in the closing strides, crossing the line three-quarters of a length ahead of Gray In Green.