The Takarazuka Kinen (G1) affords Japanese racing followers the possibility to vote on which horses they need to see run within the 2,200-meter (about 1 3/8 miles) turf contest and this 12 months they get their want.
The sixty fifth working of the race June 23 at Kyoto Racecourse, a “Win and You are In” for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) Nov. 2 at Del Mar, options Do Deuce, who topped the voting with greater than 238,000 ballots. The 5-year-old son of Coronary heart’s Cry , out of the Vindication mare Mud and Diamonds , drew gate No. 4 in an anticipated area of 13 for the Takarazuka with Yutaka Take booked to experience. He’ll run for the primary time since ending fifth within the Dubai Turf (G1T) on World Cup (G1) night time at Meydan Racecourse.
He ended 2023 with a victory within the Arima Kinen (G1), his first top-level rating since 2021, and a fourth within the Japan Cup (G1).
Coach Yasuo Tomomichi stated the Dubai efficiency might have been higher than Do Duce’s putting would point out.
“Within the residence straight final time, he wasn’t capable of finding a manner by way of and get a superb end in,” Tomomichi stated. “He returned to Japan with none issues and has had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki.”
Whereas he is the preferred contender, it stays to be seen if he is the perfect as there are a number of different grade 1 winners within the area with strong claims.
Bellagio Opera and Rousham Park exit a one-two end within the Osaka Hai (G1) March 31 at Hanshin. Justin Palace received the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) in 2023 and was final seen ending fourth within the Dubai Sheema Traditional (G1T).
Bellagio Opera’s coach, Hiroyuki Uemura, appeared extra involved about Mom Nature than about Do Deuce after his 4-year-old Lord Kanaloa colt drew simply inside that one.
“It is a query of what he can do up in opposition to the robust horses like Do Deuce,” Uemura stated. “He can run from any place in a race however he may not be so robust in sizzling climate. So that’s one factor to contemplate on the day of the race.”
Rousham Park remains to be searching for his first grade 1 win and assistant coach Hiroyuki Yamazaki bemoaned his shut name within the Osaka Hai.
“He ran properly final time however simply misplaced a little bit of momentum from the fourth nook and on the run down the house straight, which was a pity. There isn’t any doubting his energy, although. He is in ok situation once more to run an enormous race,” Yamazaki stated.
And one to look at: Struve, a 5-year-old by King Kamehameha , has spun collectively a three-race successful streak, albeit a bit down the category ladder. The Japan Racing Affiliation people level out Australian Damien Lane is about to experience and Struve has received each time a overseas jockey has taken the reins.
The race has implications for the jockey premiership. Yuga Kawada leads Christophe Lemaire by one win in that competitors, 80-79. Kawada rides Rouge Eveil, a 5-year-old mare who reported third within the Osaka Hai in her final race. Lemaire, who misplaced important time after an harm suffered in Dubai, companions Justin Palace.
Equinox received the 2023 Takarazuka Kinen in the midst of a run of six straight top-level victories that landed him Japan’s Horse of the Yr title (in addition to the Worldwide Federation of Horse Racing’s 2023 World’s Best Racehorse title). The runner-up in that race, By means of Seven Seas, moved on to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) at Longchamp, the place the Dream Journey mare completed fourth.
