BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Florida-bred Jasper Robusto broke sharply from post 13 and led all the way to take the ¥35,620,000 (US$245,856) Tsurujago Stakes, run at 1,700 meters (about a mile-and-99 yards) for 4-year-olds and older at Fukushima Racecourse in Japan Sunday.

Trained by Hideyuki Mori and ridden by Genki Maruyama, Jasper Robusto is owned by Kazuo Kato and went off as the even money favorite in the field of 15 to pay ¥240 (US$1.60) to win.

Jasper Robusto raced a length-and-a-half in front of Close Combat (Jpn) in second with Bless Word (Jpn) third down the backstretch of the right-handed course. Close Combat tried to challenge around the turn but was no match for Jasper Robusto in the stretch as he drew off to win by a length-and-a-quarter. Close Combat held on for second and Decoration (Jpn) took third.

Jasper Robusto earned ¥18,860,000 (US$130,175) for the win to increase his career earnings to ¥62,702,532 (US$432,785) from four wins in eight starts with three seconds.

In one other start this year, he was second to Close Combat in the Geshi Stakes at Toyko Racecourse on June 14. Among his three starts last year were victories the ¥29,950,000 (US$206,720) Senamionsen Tokubetsu Stakes and a special weight, both a Niigata Racecourse. He broke his maiden at Hanshin in September of 2023.

Jasper Robusto is by Ocala Stud’s leading Florida sire Khozan out of Prize Informant, by Marciano and was bred in Florida by Rivermont Farm. Mori purchased Jasper Robusto as a 2-year-old for $265,000 out of the Blas Perez Stables consignment at the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale. Blas Perez Stables acquired him for $27,000 out of the Richard Kent’s Kaizen Stables for $27,000 at the 2022 OBS October Yearling Sale.

Prize Informant, winner of the 2011 Regal Gal Stakes at Calder, has four starters, all winners from five foals. Her unnamed 2-year-old colt by Ocala Stud’s Win Win Win sold for $135,000 to No Money No Honey at last year’s OBS October Yearling Sale where she was consigned by Kaizen Sales. She was bred to Magic On Tap in 2024.

Rivermont purchased Prize Informant in foal to Bridlewood Farm’s Valiant Minister for $9,500 at the 2019 OBS Winter Mixed Sale out of the Bobby Jones consignment as part of the JD Farms Complete Dispersal. She is a half-sister to stakes-winner Wise Answer.