Deep Impact filly Fan Dii Na failed in her attempt to beat the colts and become the first of her sex to win the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) in almost 70 years on Sunday.

The previously unbeaten Fan Dii Na was attempting to become the first filly to win the first leg of Japan’s Triple Crown since Hide Hikari in 1948.

Sent off as the favorite, she was unable to maintain the lead exiting the turn for home.

The winner Al Ain prevailed by a neck over Persian Knight in the 2000m G1 feature at Nakayama.

Al Ain raced just off the pace next to Fan Dii Na in fourth and fifth place throughout, and began his move after the filly geared up at the top of the final turn.

While she went four wide to find the lead, the son of Deep Impact shadowed her and was able to move past as she faded to finish seventh in the field of 18.

Trained by Yasutoshi Ikee for Sunday Racing Co., Al Ain has only one loss from five starts.