Japan Horse Racing Tips-Umanity.jp

After the five straight weeks of Grade 1 racing at Tokyo, the venue this Sunday (June 14) is the Hanshin Racecourse, where the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen will be run to round out the top JRA races for the first half of the year. The race is one of the so-called Grand Prix (All-Star) races (the Grade 1 Arima Kinen is the other), where fans get to vote for the horses they want to see take on the race. Any horse voted into the top ten of the poll is eligible to run, with other runners decided on their prize money levels.

First run back in 1960, the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen was originally run over 1,800 meters, until the current distance of 2,200 meters was introduced in 1966. It’s run over the inner course at Hanshin, and it became an international Grade 1 race in 1997. There will be no runners from overseas this year, although Hong Kong’s Werther ran a great race in 2018 to finish second.

The race is for 3-year-olds and up, and the younger horses, with a generous weight allowance, can run off a mark of 53kg. Four-year-olds and up carry 58kg, with fillies and mares able to claim 2kg. There have been 18 nominations for a maximum 18 runner field this year.
In the past ten years, only two first favorites have won (Equinox was the most recent in 2023), with 5-year-olds having the best recent record, winning six times in that same time period. Horses trained at the Ritto Training Center have also won six times in the last ten years. The winner collects JPY300 million (close to USD2 million). Another bonus for the first past the post is an automatic entry to the Breeders’ Cup in America and the Cox Plate in Australia. Titleholder ran in a time of 2 minutes 9.7 seconds in 2022 to set the record time for the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen.

A couple of Grade 1 races some of the horses have taken on prior to this Sunday’s race have been the Osaka Hai and the Tenno Sho (Spring), with the distance of the former probably being the best guide.
The 67th running of the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen will be Race 11 on the Sunday card at Hanshin, with a post time locally of 15.40. Final declarations and the barrier draw will come out later in the week.
Here’s a look at some of the runners expected to take on the race:

Croix Du Nord: He topped the fans’ vote, and the 4-year-old by Kitasan Black continues to impress, with two Grade 1 wins to his name already this year. Trainer Takashi Saito said: “He got a win last time in the Tenno Sho, even if it was just by a nose. He went to the farm after that, and came back to the stable May 20. More than being tired, he was just a bit loose, but he’s coming on for his work and should be in good condition just before the race.”

Meisho Tabaru: The 5-year-old by Gold Ship came in second in the fans’ vote, and is back to defend his title, after running away with the race last year and winning by three lengths as the seventh favorite. He’s coming off a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Osaka Hai in April. Trainer Mamoru Ishibashi said: “The first half of the Osaka Hai was run in 58.1 seconds. The start of the 2,000 meters race at Hanshin is near the first corner, so I think instinctively the jockey went to the front, and he did so quickly. Despite it being a bit of a frantic pace, the horse still did well. There’s a furlong extra this time, but it’s back to the distance he won over last year.”

Regaleira: She comes in at number four on the fans’ list, and she’ll be having her first run of the year, after finishing fourth in last year’s Grade 1 Arima Kinen. Comments from assistant trainer Yu Ota were: “She’s sometimes not so good at the gate, and her condition last time meant she couldn’t do so well in the Arima Kinen, which was a bit regretful. She was pretty tired after that race, but now after time, things have been good with her back at the stable. She’s worked well over a distance and clocked a good time.” Christophe Lemaire looks set for the ride on Regaleira.

Danon Decile: The 5-year-old has had a couple of wins since his shock win in the Grade 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in 2024, and in his most recent race, when he finished third in the Grade 1 Osaka Hai, things didn’t quite go his way. Trainer Shogo Yasuda said: “Last time, it was just one of those things in a race. He got a bit squeezed with horses losing speed and going back through the field, and was quite unlucky at the fourth corner, but he did run on the best he could in the straight. Compared to his run in the Arima Kinen, he was a lot more balanced.”

Museum Mile: Another horse having his first run since last year’s Grade 1 Arima Kinen, Museum Mile is proving that he can be versatile when it comes to distance, and he did surprise a few by seeing out the trip last time. Assistant trainer Yuichi Tomomichi commented: “The Arima Kinen was a good race for him. He was supposed to go to Dubai, but with the situation in the Middle East we canceled. We then thought about Hong Kong, but it might have been that he wouldn’t have passed the vet inspection. He’s therefore had a spell at the farm, with the Takarazuka Kinen in mind for him next. Just recently he hasn’t had his engine working full throttle, but that’s always the pattern with him.” Damian Lane teams back up with Museum Mile, having ridden him in last year’s Grade 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby).

My Universe: The 4-year-old colt by Rey de Oro has won his last two races, the latest being the Grade 2 Nikkei Sho over 2,500 meters at Nakayama in March, when jockey Norihiro Yokoyama certainly got the best out of him. The horse is trained at Ritto by Koshiro Take, who had the following to say: “After his last race, he was quite worked up, so we decided to pass on the Tenno Sho. Now he seems a lot calmer mentally. He’s about 30kg heavier now, but doesn’t look too big and has been moving well.” My Universe has one second from one start at Hanshin, and Norihiro Yokoyama looks set to partner the horse again.

Tagano Dude: His last two races have been Grade 1s, and he by no means disgraced himself in either the Osaka Hai or the Tenno Sho (Spring), where he finished fourth and sixth respectively. He’s had plenty of experience running at Hanshin, even though he hasn’t placed there every time. Trainer Toru Miya said: “In the Osaka Hai, he drew a wide gate and raced wide, but still recorded the fastest final three-furlong time. His rhythm was not so good in the Tenno Sho, but he managed to run on well at the end. He’s returned from the farm looking his usual self, and seems to be in good condition.”

Shake Your Heart: Also trained by Toru Miya, the 6-year-old by Heart’s Cry last ran, and won, the Grade 2 Tokai TV Hai Kinko Sho over 2,000 meters at Chukyo in March. The trainer said: “We originally planned to run him in the Sapporo Kinen, but it would mean a long time between races and that’s not so good for him. He’s very well in himself, so we thought we’d target this race next. His best distance might be 2,000 meters, but he could possibly see out the trip this time.” It’s a big race ride for Yoshihiro Furukawa, who’s looking for just his second JRA Grade 1 victory.


Sources: Keiba Book

Eighth pick Sixpence grabbed his much-awaited first G1 title in this year’s Yasuda Kinen. The son of Kizuna won his debut start for former trainer Sakae Kunieda, in September as a two-year-old and extended his winning streak to three in the Spring Stakes (G2, 1,800m). However, the much-expected colt disappointed to ninth in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1, 2,400m) and, while adding two graded titles in the Mainichi Okan (G2, 1,800m) that year and the Nakayama Kinen (G2, 1,800m), his four-year-old debut, was winless since including three starts on dirt in which he managed one runner-up effort. Back to turf again after Hiroyasu Tanaka took over his trainer upon Kunieda’s retirement, he finished seventh the Milers Cup (G2, 1,600m). Tanaka scored his fourth JRA-G1 title, his first since the 2024 Champions Cup with Lemon Pop, while jockey Yutaka Take registered his 85th victory following last year’s Takarazuka Kinen with Meisho Tabaru and fourth Yasuda Kinen win after Oguri Cap in 1990, Heart Lake in 1995 and Vodka in 2009 and became the oldest G1-winning jockey at 57 years, 2 months and 24 days.

Sixpence made use of an inside draw to secure a forward position along the rails behind a moderate pace set by World's End. As the field closed in rounding the final turn, Yutaka Take quickly guided his mount to the inside lane but decided to shift to the outside of the leader just before the uphill stretch and was eventually contested by Seiun Hades on his outside. Finally catching up to the tenacious leader 50 meters out, it was a neck-to-neck rally between four runners to the wire in which, the son of Kizuna bested by a narrow margin.

“I was called up at a short notice to ride the horse for the first time, but I’m relieved to have being able to get my job done. I did my homework, contacting his previous riders and of course the trainer who told me that he was capable to maintain good speed to the wire, so my plan was to have him up front, even lead if necessary, and although the front runners were pretty tenacious in the final stretch with horses also coming from behind, Sixpence was very responsive. He has shown his true strength with a lot to look forward to in his coming races,” commented Yutaka Take.

World's End shot forward to take the lead immediately after the break and opened the gap to about four lengths along the backstretch while allowed to cruise at a moderate pace. Although the rest of the field closed in rounding the final turn, the son of Lord Kanaloa still had plenty in his tank to maintain his lead, even after the long uphill stretch and rallied gamely with the winner to the finish line, just missing by a neck, tying second with Gaia Force who made ground quickly on his outside.

Race favorite Gaia Force was settled in mid-division around ninth or tenth position and turned in the fastest finishing speed from 400 meters out to reach contention at the top of the hill, but was just short of reaching the leader by a neck margin while crossing the wire in a tie for second with World's End.

Other Horses:
4th: (13) Seiun Hades—chased leaders in 3rd, failed to catch front runners and overtaken by Gaia Force just before wire
5th: (16) Panja Tower—settled wide around 6th, gradually closed in on leaders, needed more
6th: (3) Off Trail—hugged rails around 8th, ran willingly while short of reaching leaders
7th: (1) Lebensstil—saved ground around 4th, ran gamely but weakened after 200m pole
8th: (15) Dragon Boost—traveled around 11th, slow to pick up speed
9th: (17) Trovatore—unhurried around 15th, showed tied 2nd fastest late speed but belatedly
10th: (6) Stellenbosch—sat around 7th, failed to respond at stretch
11th: (10) Luxor Cafe—trailed in rear, accelerated, had too much ground to make up
12th: (8) Champagne Color—ran around 12th, showed effort up to 200m pole
13th: (9) Water Licht—settled near rear, launched belated kick
14th: (12) Sirius Colt—positioned wide around 13th, never threatened
15th: (5) Sakura Toujours—raced around 10th, showed little at stretch
16th: (2) Long Run—tracked leaders around 4th, faded after final corner
17th: (7) Suzu Khalom—traveled around 14th, never fired

Rounding out the five weeks of top-level action at Tokyo Racecourse is the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen. The famous all-aged mile race on the turf track will be run for the 76th time, and has attracted 20 nominations this year for a maximum 18 runner line-up.

First run in 1951, it was originally known as the Yasuda Sho (named after the first JRA president, Izaemon Yasuda), and it was a handicap race for 4-year-olds and up. It became a Grade 1 race in 1984, and an international one in 1993. There have been many runners from overseas to take on the race previously, but this year it will be an all-domestic affair, with no foreign horses among the nominations. Since 2001, 3-year-olds have had the chance to run in the race, but since then, there has been just one 3-year-old winner – Real Impact in 2011.

Recent big-name winners have included Lord Kanaloa (2013), Maurice (2015) and Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior (2024). For 4-year-olds and up, the weight carried is set at 58kg, while 3-year-olds are given 54kg, with a 2kg allowance for fillies and mares.

The race often throws up a surprise winner, as only one first favorite has won in the past 10 years, and that was Romantic Warrior. The race, however, has been dominated by 4-year-olds in that same time period, with five of them winning, the latest being Jantar Mantar last year. Record time for the race is held by Indy Champ, who won in 1: 30.9 in 2019. This year’s winner’s check is JPY180 million (just over USD1 million). Since 2016, the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen has been a part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series of races, whereby the winner receives an automatic entry to the Breeders’ Cup later this year.

A couple of lead-up races to the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen have been the Grade 3 Epsom Cup, run over 1,800 meters at Tokyo in May, and the Grade 2 Yomiuri Milers Cup, held at Kyoto in April.

This Sunday’s big race will be Race 11 on the Tokyo card, with a post time of 15:40 locally. Final declarations and barrier draw will be available later in the week. Here’s a look at some of the runners expected to take on the race:

Admire Zoom: Jockey Yutaka Take teams up with trainer Yasuo Tomomichi, and the partnership is always something to look out for. Admire Zoom will be having his eighth start, but is already a Grade 1 winner, and is coming off a win in the Grade 2 Yomiuri Milers Cup. “He no longer has hoof issues, and he ran a good race in the Milers Cup,” Tomomichi said recently. “He’s been at the stable since that race, and he’s been working well and seems to be in very good shape. He lost a shoe in the NHK Mile Cup, so we have to forget that run.” The son of Maurice looks set for a big effort here.

Trovatore: The 5-year-old has won his last two races, the most recent of which was the Grade 3 Epsom Cup at Tokyo, and with five career wins over a mile, the shorter distance this time should prove no problem at all. Trainer Yuichi Shikato said: “The jockey did a good job in the Epsom Cup last time. It was a strong win, and it shows that if he finds a good rhythm, the distance isn’t a problem. He took a break at Northern Farm Tenei after that race, and there’s no tiredness about him, as we now target the Yasuda Kinen this time.” Trovatore will be the mount of Christophe Lemaire, as he bids to make it a hat-trick of wins for the horse.

Gaia Force: The evergreen 7-year-old is still looking for an elusive Grade 1 win, and he’s finished 4th, 4th and 2nd in the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen the last three years. Neither did he have the best of luck last time in Dubai, as trainer Haruki Sugiyama explained: “The weather was wet, and he’s a horse that needs firm ground. On returning to Japan, he spent time at Miki Horse Land Park, before moving to Ujitawara. He’s striding out well in his work now, and looks to be in good condition. It’s a much better rotation for him this year, compared to last year.”

Panja Tower: Last year’s Grade 1 NHK Mile Cup winner has had a couple of runs this year, with his latest being a creditable fourth in the Grade 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo in March. Trainer Shinsuke Hashiguchi said: “He did well last time from an inside draw in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen. Since returning from Champion Hills Farm, everything’s been as usual with him, with no changes. He won the NHK Mile Cup, and I think 1,600 meters is probably his best distance.” Panja Tower is by Tower of London and is unbeaten in two starts at Tokyo, with jockey Kohei Matsuyama set to continue his association with the colt.

Lebensstil: The 6-year-old has seven career wins to his name, and is able to tackle races of different distances. Last time he took on the Grade 1 Osaka Hai over 2,000 meters in April and finished sixth. Comments from assistant trainer Hiroyuki Yamazaki were: “He ran a good race last time, looking as if he could win at one point, but the distance was just a bit too long for him. Nevertheless, he did well up against the other strong horses. After a spell at the farm, he’s returned to the stable and will target this race next.” Jockey Keita Tosaki won on Lebensstil two starts ago and is expected to get the ride on Sunday.

World’s End: Trained at Ritto by Manabu Ikezoe, World’s End showed his liking for Tokyo last time, when he ran away with the Grade 2 Keio Hai Spring Cup over 1,400 meters to record his fifth career win. The trainer said: “After a break at the farm, he came back to the stable on May 15. There have been no problems up to now. He’s in about the same condition, and he’s been doing some light work on the uphill. His workload will have been good enough. He did well in his last race, the Keio Hai Spring Cup, where he drew an outside gate, but showed a lot of speed to do what he did.” The extra 200 meters doesn’t look to be a problem for the 5-year-old by Lord Kanaloa.

Seiun Hades: Now a 7-year-old, Seiun Hades might have been unplaced in his last four races, but his fifth last time in the Grade 1 Osaka Hai in April would certainly put him in with a chance here over the shorter trip. Trainer Shinsuke Hashiguchi said: “He lost a shoe in the Osaka Hai, but considering that, he ran a strong race. He’s spent some time at Champion Hills Farm, and everything’s fine with him as we look to this next race. He’s won the Epsom Cup before, so I think he’s suited to Tokyo.” Jockey Hideaki Miyuki will be hoping to end his lean spell without a Grade 1 win, which goes back to 2021 when he won the QEII Cup on Akai Ito.

Another horse to look out for is the 5-year-old mare Stellenbosch, who comes off a second-place finish to Trovatore in the Grade 3 Epsom Cup and gets to claim the 2kg allowance. Damian Lane is now booked for the ride, and all things considered, Stellenbosch could have a part to play in this week’s big race.

Sources: Keiba Book

Lovcen validated his previous victory once again in dominating this year’s Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), climbing to the pinnacle of a total of 7,944 three-year-olds and becoming the 25th colt to notch both spring classics after Contrail in 2020. The World Premiere colt scored two wins out of the same starts including the Hopeful Stakes (G1, 2,000m) as a two-year-old and while beaten to third in his kick-off start of this season in the Kyodo News Hai (G3, 1,800m) in February, claimed the following Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000m) by gate-to-wire in record time. Trainer Haruki Sugiyama and jockey Kohei Matsuyama celebrate their first Derby title while this victory marked the former’s ninth and the latter’s 11th G1 win in total in JRA.

Lovcen missed a step when breaking from the second farthest outside post, lightly bumping Green Energy on his left and was a tad late to position himself well by the first turn. The versatile colt, who claimed the Satsuki Sho gate-to-wire, was forced to camp in a wide position in mid-field this time while Meisho Hachiko went right to the front to seize the lead, tailed closely by second favorite and Satsuki Sho runner-up Realize Sirius. Fourth choice Peintre Naif was unhurried after his break and sat in mid-division, a length and a half in front of the race favorite and eventual winner as the field cruised down the backstretch in which Realize Sirius took over the lead early, registering a moderate pace. After heading the field into the straight, the Poetic Flare colt soon gave way 300 meters out to Basse Terre who strived to pull away while Peintre Naif, with Lovcen tightly at his heels, closed in with incredible speed. As Basse Terre succumbed to the intimidating speed of the two in the final strides, Peintre Naif failed to shake off the tenacious Lovcen who dug in fiercely and poked his head in front at the wire.

“I still can’t believe I’m now a “Derby Jockey.” It was surreal coming back to the stands and being greeted by the enormous cheering crowd—I couldn’t hold back the tears. To be honest, I did feel the pressure, as odds-on favorite and the hopes of notching two-thirds of the Triple Crown, but I believed in the colt and he gave his best and showed his true strength today. We weren’t able to sit in the most ideal position due to the wide draw but, as in the Hopeful Stakes, Lovcen showed an incredible turn of foot which proves his strength and versatility. He still has potential and we have a lot to look forward to,” commented Kohei Matsuyama.

Coming off an 11th in the first leg of the Triple Crown, 11th pick Basse Terre was reserved early, trailing in the rear, but made rapid headway in the backstretch to chase the pace by the final turn, then rallied to lead 300 meters out. The son of Kitasan Black ran willingly and sustained his bid but was denied the win in the final strides by the fast-closing Lovcen and Peintre Naif, while narrowly holding off Going to Sky by a nose for third place.

Other Horses:
4th: (14) Going to Sky—settled around 15th, launched fastest late kick but had too much ground to cover
5th: (2) Matenro Gale—ran around 5th, quickened in last 300m after finding opening
6th: (4) Altramuz—hugged rails around 10th, entered lane in 15th, launched 2nd fastest late drive
7th: (11) Realize Sirius—tracked leader in 2nd, took front after 2nd corner, showed tenacity after surrendering lead, weakened in last 100m
8th: (1) Reichsadler—took economic trip around 5th, rallied for lead
9th: (6) Congestus—raced around 9th, showed effort before meeting traffic 200m out
10th: (12) Ask Edinburgh—sat around 4th, outrun in last 200m
11th: (9) Audacia—settled near rear, showed tied 3rd fastest late speed but belatedly
12th: (15) Forte Angelo—positioned around 12th, lacked needed kick
13th: (7) Meisho Hachiko—set pace early, entered lane in 3rd, rallied for lead until 200m pole
14th: (18) M's Begin—traveled around 6th, ran gamely until 300m out
15th: (3) Kenton—saved ground around 11th, never threatened
16th: (16) Green Energy—ran wide behind winner, failed to respond
17th: (8) Shonan Gulf—traveled near rear, never fired
18th: (10) Justin Vista—raced around 14th, drifted to outside in final corner, no factor