Vodka gives fillies rare win

Vodka became the first filly to win the Japan Derby in 64 years when she stormed away from the field in the second half of the 2,400-metre race to claim victory yesterday.

Ridden by Hirofumi Shii, Vodka overtook the quick-starting Asakusa Kings at the midway point and was roared home by a vocal crowd of around 100,000 in Tokyo.

Admire Aura put in a strong finishing burst to take third behind Asakusa Kings in the 74th running of Japan's blue riband race for three-year-olds.

Favourite seventh

Pre-Japan Derby favourite Fusaichi Ho O slipped to seventh while Satsuki-sho winner Victory was a distant ninth in his attempt to add the second leg of Japan's Triple Crown.

Fourth favourite Vodka became the third filly to win the Japan Derby - the last was Kurifuji in 1943. Hisatomo was the first filly to triumph in 1937.

Vodka's appearance in the 18-horse field was the first time since Biwa Heidi finished way off the pace in the 1996 race that a filly had been entered in the Japan Derby.