Turf Titans Clash In Tenno Sho

[Wandering Eyes]

Japan’s featured race of the weekend, the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn, is sure to draw typically large crowds to Tokyo Racecourse as defending Horse of the Year Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) returns to action and faces off against this year’s G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner Saturnalia (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}).

Almond Eye was imperious at three last year, taking all before her including a sweep of the Japanese Fillies’ Triple Crown and the G1 Japan Cup. That momentum carried over into 2019 when she defeated her compatriot Vivlos (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in Meydan’s G1 Dubai Turf, but she suffered a surprise defeat last time while turning back to a mile for the first time in over a year when a narrow third in the G1 Yasuda Kinen in June. The filly didn’t have the cleanest of breaks on that occasion, however, and trainer Sakae Kunieda indicated she has strengthened up in the interim. “Even though her weight hasn’t changed, she looks much more powerful,” he said.

Saturnalia, the latest sensation produced by the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) and GI American Oaks winner Cesario (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}), carries the same Carrot Farm silks as his dam and has been beaten just once in six outings, when breaking slowly in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and finishing fourth. Unlike Almond Eye, he comes into this with a prep, having won the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai over 2400 metres on Sept. 22, and he drops back to the distance over which he won the G1 Hopeful S. and the Satsuki Sho. Saturnalia will be prominent in the betting, however he will have to overcome a subpar record for 3-year-olds in this race, with just three having won since 1987. Just 14 have tried, with only three hitting the board.

The top two betting choices will have a formidable foe in Danon Premium (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), whose connections will be back with a vengeance after the 4-year-old lost the opportunity to showcase himself last out in the Yasuda Kinen on June 2. He met trouble shortly after the break and found himself too far back and was eventually eased home last, but a pair of Group 2 wins to start out the year show that the former 2-year-old champion is better than that. He has had a bit of a start-stop career since winning the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. at two, but he appears to have the talent if he can put it together for a second Group 1 win.

The post Turf Titans Clash In Tenno Sho appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article