A Shin Amen Ra Wins Again for American Pharoah

A Shin Amen Ra (3c American Pharoah x I O Ireland, by Giant’s Causeway) romped to his second career victory on Saturday in an Allowance at Kyoto.

Racing over 1 1/8 miles on dirt, the Kenji Nonaka-trainee was hustled out of the gate and quickly built his lead at the front of the field by a few lengths. Galloping with his ears pricked for much of the running, the colt was urged on by Kota Fujioka in the straight where he built an even larger lead.

In the end, A Shin Amen Ra proved to be an authoritative winner when easing up near the line and still winning by 2 ½ lengths.

It was the second win for A Shin Amen Ra in four starts with both coming on dirt. Purchased by K. K. Eishindo for $325,000 at the Keeneland September Sale, the Team Block-bred colt is the second out of their stakes winning mare I O Ireland.

A daughter of Grade III winner Ioya Two and half-sister to Grade III winners Amazing Results and Ioya Bigtime, I O Ireland visited Uncle Mo last year.

The American Pharoah/Giant’s Causeway cross is quickly proving to be a strong one, also producing Grade III-placed Ocean Atlantique.

Triple Crown winner and Champion Freshman sire American Pharoah has been off to a fast start in his career with 39 winners, led by Grade II winners Four Wheel Drive and Sweet Melania with 17 stakes horses and six stakes winners from his first crop.