Admire Jupiter takes Tenno Sho Spring

Admire Jupiter denied Meisho Samson's challenge to win the 137th Tenno Sho Spring Sunday afternoon at Kyoto. A head separated the two. Third, another 2 1/2-length behind, was favorite Asakusa Kings with Hokuto Sultan fourth and Admire Fuji fifth in the field of 14 runners.

Yasunari Iwata was aboard the winner to cover the 3,200-meter distance in 3 minutes 15.10 seconds on the Kyoto main turf course.

This was the first grade one success and the seventh win in 13 starts for Admire Jupiter, who boosted his career earnings to 326 million yen for trainer Y. Tomomichi and owner R. Kondo. Admire Jupiter, a 5-year-old son of French Deputy and the Real Shadai mare J's Jewelry, was bred in Hokkaido by Northern Racing. The chestnut horse was sold at the 2003 Select Sale for 41 million yen.