Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted June 21, 2019 Journalists Share Posted June 21, 2019 The grand finale and final Group 1 of the spring season in Japan, the field for Sunday’s Takarazuka Kinen is selected–in part at least–by the Japanese racing fans. While number one votegetter Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is passing on the 2200-metre test to rest up for an autumn preparation, the next three most popular runners will take their chances before what is expected to be an overflow crowd at Hanshin. Rey de Oro (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), the 2017 G1 Japanese Derby hero, was twice a winner from five starts at four in 2018, besting Al Ain (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers S. over this distance in September before cutting back to 10 furlongs to annex the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo the following month. Second as the favorite to the very talented Blast Onepiece (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) in the year-ending G1 Arima Kinen, Rey de Oro was a touch disappointing when a well-held sixth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in his lone run this term. Kiseki (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), a good third in the Tenno Sho, could not resist the late surge of Almond Eye and settled for second in last year’s G1 Japan Cup. Subsequently fifth in the Arima Kinen, the lanky dark bay resumed in the G1 Osaka Hai Mar. 31, going down by a neck at the hooves of Al Ain. Suave Richard (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), some 3 1/2 lengths in back of Kiseki in the Japan Cup, ran to his odds when fourth in the Feb. 24 G2 Nakayama Kinen and also exits the Sheema Classic, in which he was defeated just two lengths into third. Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) took down her peers in the 11-furlong G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup last November before just being outfinished by leading Hong Kong stayer Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m). Runner-up to champion Danon Premium (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Kinko Sho in March, she was a latest third to compatriot Win Bright (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) and Exultant in a swiftly run G1 FWD QE II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin Apr. 28. The post Big Names Clash in Takarazuka Kinen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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