Top Gun Joe wins Niigata Kinen in exciting finish

More than a 2-month layoff was not a setback for Top Gun Joe, who won the 2,000-meter Niigata Kinen(g3) under the good hands of Hiroki Goto Sunday at Niigata.
Goto switched Top Gun Joe to the outmost lane, running just off the stand side rail through the stretch.

“The pace was relatively slow, but he settled very well in the rear and was all out in the stretch. “, said Goto.

Inside the 200 meter out, the 4-year-old colt got into the front in the process crossing the line first in 1 minute 57.2 seconds.
Before a neck victory, Top Gun Joe had to deny the serious challenges from second-placed Sanrei Jasper and third-placed Vita Rose, who separated by a neck at the line.

The Niigata Kinen field was reduced to 17 because of Thaw Your Frost’s scratch immediately before the post time.