Just a Way obliterates course record in Duty Free

Akatsuki Yamatoya's Just a Way extended his winning streak to three with a

superb display in Saturday's Group 1, $5 million Dubai Duty Free at Meydan.

Inhaling hitherto unbeaten Vercingetorix in the stretch, the Japanese star

bolted up by 6 1/4 lengths and left the course record in shambles. Sajjhaa had

eset the standard of 1:47.93 in the 2013 Duty Free, but Just a Way obliterated

it by finishing about nine furlongs on good turf in 1:45.52.

Trained by Naosuke Sugai and confidently handled by Yuichi Fukunaga, the 3-1

second choice was following in the hoofsteps of his sire. He is by Heart's Cry,

who shipped from Japan to run away with the Dubai Sheema Classic at old Nad al

Sheba in 2006.

Just a Way's breakthrough came in the October 27 Tenno Sho Autumn at Tokyo,

where he comprehensively defeated Gentildonna by four lengths. He followed up in

his 2014 premiere in the Nakayama Kinen, pulling 3 1/2 lengths clear, and

continued his ascent in this first international assignment.

As expected, fellow Japanese hope Tokei Halo set up shop on the front end,

and Hong Kong's Blazing Speed tracked him. The Fugue, the 5-2 favorite, was

within striking range early before fading out of contention.

Just a Way was content to bide his time near the back of the pack, and

followed Vercingetorix as they both improved their positions into the stretch.

Taking aim on Vercingetorix down the lane, Just a Way simply burst clear and

widened his advantage all the way to the line.

Christophe Soumillon thought that he was sitting pretty aboard Vercingetorix,

but found himself swamped.

"I thought I'd win when we turned for home, and I was speechless when the

Japanese came flying past me," Soumillon said.

Vercingetorix was a clear second by 1 3/4 lengths from Eclipse Award winner

Dank. Making her first start since her Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf victory,

Dank closed well for third, but rider Ryan Moore felt that she should have been

second with a clean trip.

"The winner was alongside me for the first half of the race," Moore said. "I

was caught in traffic and felt she (Dank) was the second-best horse in the race.

She ran a great race after her five-month absence (from the track)."

Mshawish was along for fourth, and Anaerobio,

Logotype, Tokei Halo, Hunter's Light, Tasaday, Blazing Speed, The Fugue, Trade

Storm and Educate concluded the order under the wire.

"I'm speechless," jockey William Buick said of The Fugue's non-effort. "I

can't explain it. I've never known her like that. She ran very flat. We'll just

put a line through it. She just wasn't at the races today."