Tag: Breeders’ Cup

All-Star Cast For Takarazuka Kinen

Hanshin Racecourse is the site of Sunday's fan-voted G1 Takarazuka Kinen over the metric 11-furlong trip, with the winner earning a fees-paid berth in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland Race Course the first weekend of November. And with scarcely an exception, 18 of Japan's best middle-distance horses–with formlines from all over the world–are set to face the starter.

A logical case can be made for perhaps as many as nine runners Sunday afternoon, including reigning Horse of the Year Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who looks to bounce back from a lacklustre ninth as the $1.50 (1-2) favourite when making his 4-year-old debut in the G1 Osaka Hai at this venue back in April. In finishing four lengths adrift of the upset-minded Potager (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the Carrot Farm colourbearer was suffering the second defeat of his career, the first coming when pipped by this year's G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the 2021 G1 Tokyo Yushun. Blinkers go on and his latest fast work–with the new equipment–made something of a statement.

“His preparation has gone well, and he's probably in better shape than he was for his last race,” said trainer Yuichi Shikato. “He has been more switched on wearing blinkers in training, and running in between two other horses. It was too bad about his last race, so I want to see the real Efforia this time, and hope that he can show what a talented horse he is and give his best showing in the race.”

 

 

 

Leaving votegetter Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) (by a shade less than 3000 votes over Efforia) made all when winning last year's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) by five lengths and, since finishing fifth to Efforia in the G1 Arima Kinen in December, led throughout to win the G2 Nikkei Sho (2500m) in March and the 3200-metre G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) May 1, where he had the talented G2 Qatar Prix Foy hero Deep Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) some seven lengths behind in second. Titleholder's pint-sized older half-sister Melody Lane (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) is one of three females in Sunday's test.

 

 

 

Two graduates of this year's Dubai World Cup program could make things tough up front for Titleholder. Authority (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) was one of four winners for Christophe Lemaire on Saudi Cup night when leading them a merry chase in the G3 Neom Turf Cup over an extended 10 furlongs and set the pace in the Sheema before being overhauled late by Shahryar and the fast-finishing Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) took his rivals past every pole to annex the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) by 2 1/2 lengths Feb. 27 and most recently shared the spoils with Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Turf. The 5-year-old is a bit of a question mark at Hanshin and over this distance.

Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) is another with imposing Middle East form, having accounted for Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}) in the G3 Longines Red Sea Cup in Riyadh in February before repeating the dose–albeit from slightly off the speed–in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Mar. 26.

Also not without a chance are the consistent Hishi Iguazu (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), second to Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in December's G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and a running-on fourth in the Osaka Hai; and 2020 Filly Triple Crown heroine Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who was a respectable sixth to multiple champion Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) first off a 15-month absence in last month's G1 Victoria Mile.

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Win And You’re In: World Travelers Meet Home Stars In Sunday’s Takarazuka Kinen

After five consecutive weeks of Grade 1 racing in Tokyo recently, there has been a slight lull in the top-class action here in Japan, but this coming Sunday (June 26) it returns in the form of the Takarazuka Kinen, to be run at Hanshin Racecourse over 2,200 meters on the inner turf track. It is one of the two so-called 'All-Star' races in a year, where racing fans get to vote for the horses they want to see competing against each other. It is a race for 3-year-olds and up, and there is a maximum field size of 18. There are 20 horses nominated for this week's Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen.

This year will see the 63rd running of the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen, and as with other recent big races, it's shaping up to be a truly competitive field. Race favorites have found it tough to win in the past ten years, with just three of them returning to the winner's enclosure. The race has, however, favored 5-year-olds, who have won seven times in the past decade. The last three years, a filly or mare has won, taking their overall tally of wins in the race to six.

This year's winner's check is JPY200 million (just under USD2 million). The winner of this year's Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen also receives an automatic entry to Australia's Cox Plate (won by Lys Gracieux in 2019) and the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in November.

(Each Breeders' Cup Challenge Series winner will earn an automatic starting position and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 4-5.)

Here is a look at some of the runners expected to feature in the race:

Titleholder: This year's Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Spring) winner looks perfectly at home at Hanshin, running away with his latest win by seven lengths, and the 4-year-old colt by Duramente came out on top of the fans' poll, demonstrating the respect he commands.

Trainer Toru Kurita said: “On his return to the training center on June 1, he looked well and refreshed, and probably better all round than he did when he returned before the Tenno Sho. He has been moving well in his recent training.”

The trainer's two Grade 1 victories have come with Titleholder, and jockey Kazuo Yokoyama, who has ridden him in his last three races, is set to take the ride again.

Efforia: With six wins from eight starts, last year's Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Grade 1 Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) winner was looking to continue his success into 2022, but only managed to finish ninth in this April's Grade 1 Osaka Hai over 2,000 meters at Hanshin, his worst result ever. However, trainer Yuichi Shikato thought that things went against him in that race.

“He had the long transportation to the track last time, together with the accident at the gate and the flow of the race itself wasn't helpful, so things didn't really go his way,” the trainer said. “He came back to the stable from Northern Farm Tenei on June 2, and looks a lot tighter than he did before his break. This season is also better for him, and he's shown enough in his work so far.”

Jockey Takeshi Yokoyama has ridden the Epiphaneia colt in all his races so far, and will partner him again on Sunday.

Deep Bond: The 5-year-old by Kizuna remains very competitive, as could be seen from his effort right up to the end last time in the Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Spring), where he managed to finish second to Titleholder. He has always finished in the first two at Hanshin, so a big run can be expected this time too.

Trainer Ryuji Okubo said: “He was beaten into second last time, and the riderless horse didn't help things in the run. He still ran well and finished ahead of T O Royal in the end. After giving him a rest, we have had this race as his next target.”

Daring Tact: Having had her first run in over a year in last month's Grade 1 Victoria Mile, the 5-year-old mare still managed to put in a creditable run to finish sixth.

“She was coming back after her long layoff last time, and it was a tough mile race,” trainer Haruki Sugiyama commented. “There had been quite a lot of rain before the race, and she drew the inside gate which wasn't to her advantage. She still ran well, putting in a final three-furlong time of just over 33 seconds. I thought it was a good run, considering everything, and her legs were fine after the race.”

Jockey Kohei Matsuyama is bidding for his sixth career JRA Grade 1 win, with three of them achieved already on Daring Tact.

Authority: After a successful campaign in Saudi Arabia and Dubai earlier this year, where the 5-year-old won and finished third in his respective races (the latter in the Grade 1 Dubai Sheema Classic), he's now set for his next challenge in this Sunday's big race.

Assistant trainer Yu Ota said: “He has been racing well this year, so it's been good to use him constantly. He is looking just a little heavy at the moment, so I hope he'll adjust to things in his fast work from now. We will just have to see how he does racing right-handed in this next race.”

Jockey Christophe Lemaire gets on well with him and takes the ride again on Sunday.

Potager: Causing a bit of an upset last time when he won the Grade 1 Osaka Hai over 2,000 meters at Hanshin in April, the 5-year-old by Deep Impact has now won three times at Hanshin from his six career victories overall. Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi has a lot of skill when it comes to having a horse just right for a big race.

He recently commented on Potager: “There wasn't much time between his races in the spring, but he kept his condition well. He ran on from the back of the field in the Kinko Sho, but in the Osaka Hai, he demonstrated how he could run from a more forward position and get a good result. It was decided then to give him a break and bring him back for this race.”

The trainer is seeking his 17th JRA Grade 1 victory, and he's already scored twice at the top level this year.

Panthalassa: From the all-conquering stable of trainer Yoshito Yahagi, Panthalassa's tough front-running style has won him two races already this year, namely the Grade 2 Nakayama Kinen over 1,800 meters in February, and the Grade 1 Dubai Turf over 1,800 meters in March. He will have to see out an extra 400 meters this time, but the 5-year-old looks capable of a big run this time too.

Assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said: “He seems well enough after his overseas trip, and his return to the stable after a stay at the farm. His work on the uphill training track recently has been smooth, and things should be fine with him as we work him more.”

Stay Foolish: From the same stable as Panthalassa, the 7-year-old by Stay Gold is showing that age is not an issue, nor long distance travel, with his two wins earlier this year in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Forcing the pace in one of them, and being well forward in the other, he proved impossible to stop in both races over long distances.

“He returned from the Yamamoto Training Center to the stable on June 9, and everything seems fine with him,” assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said. “He ran well in Saudi and Dubai over the long trips, but this time it'll be shorter, so we'll just have to see how he adjusts to the distance.”

Arrivo: The 4-year-old colt by Duramente has been showing improvement, and he now has five wins from his eleven career races to date. His most recent third place finish in the Grade 1 Osaka Hai in April was arguably his best ever race.

Trainer Haruki Sugiyama said: “He had won some handicap races away from the big tracks, but I was a little uncertain about how he might perform last time, given the gradient at Hanshin, but he ran well, and there wasn't much in it between him and the winner. He was tired after that race, but he recovered quickly and we could consider this next race for him.”

This year's Derby winning jockey, Yutaka Take, is set for the ride on Arrivo.

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Federal Equine Protection Legislation Advances

Two key pieces of equine protection legislation advanced out of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Consumer Protection June 24, most notably the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, H.R. 3355, which would permanently ban the transport of horses bound for slaughter. The measure was endorsed by more than 225 equine-related businesses, groups, and organizations, as well as a wide array of stake holders which included The Jockey Club; The Breeders' Cup; Water, Hay, Oats Alliance (WHOA); and the New York Racing Association (NYRA).

Advancing alongside was the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R. 5441. PAST would eliminate the use of large, stacked shoes and ankle chains that are placed on Tennessee Walkers' feet to exacerbate pain in the show ring and produce the 'Big Lick' action. It would also revamp the USDA's inspection program and provide felony level penalties to give teeth to the HPA. The advance puts the bills in motion and creates an opportunity for additional legislating in the House and Senate.

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Keeneland Fall Stakes Worth a Record $8.75 Million; Meet “Promises to Be Better Than Ever”

Keeneland, which is preparing to host its third Breeders' Cup championship weekend in November, will offer 22 stakes races worth a record $8.75 million at its upcoming Fall Meet, which runs from Oct. 7-29. The Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund is contributing $1.3 million to Fall Meet stakes purses, pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, and purses for every stakes race have increased for 2022.

“Keeneland has planned a Fall Meet that promises to be better than ever,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Adjustments made to the season last year, including increasing the number of stakes to 22 and boosting the final days with multiple stakes, produced an extremely successful meet from start to finish. This year, even higher stakes purses indicate the strength of the Kentucky circuit while helping Keeneland set the stage for the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which we are proud to host for the third time.”

The 17-day season will open with 11 stakes–nine of which are “Win and You're In” events as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series Presented by America's Best Racing–during the signature three-day Fall Stars Weekend.

Keeneland has adjusted several stakes on the schedule to attract horses bound for the Breeders' Cup, most notably moving the GII JPMorgan Chase Jessamine S. to opening day. Opening day stakes races will also include the $500,000 GI Darley Alcibiades S. and $350,000 G2 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix S. All three are 'Win and You're In' races for the Breeders' Cup.

The season's richest race is the $1-million GI Coolmore Turf Mile, a Breeders' Cup Challenge race that anchors opening Saturday of Fall Stars Weekend. Along with Coolmore's first year as sponsor of the premier turf stakes, the race is again worth seven figures–a status it held from 2014, when it was Keeneland's first million-dollar race, through 2019.

Also on the Oct. 8 card is the $600,000 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, $350,000 GII Thoroughbred Club of America S.–both Win and You're In races–and the $600,000 GI First Lady S. and the $350,000 GII Woodford S.

Sunday of Fall Stars Weekend presents three stakes–all Breeders' Cup Challenge races: the $600,000 GI Juddmonte Spinster S., $350,000 GII Castle & Key Bourbon S. and $250,000 Indian Summer S.

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