G1, The Winter Cup: $3 Million on the line in Japan.
| Japan (JPN) Saturday, December 24, 2022 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID : 2805023 | |
| The Winter Cup | |
| Grade I / Group 1*CPU – Purse : $3,000,000 | |
| Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older | |
| 13 Furlongs | ~2600 Meters | One Mile and Five Eighths | Firm Turf |
We are headed to Japan where we have a monster race that is headlining the card this Saturday, the G1, The Winter Cup. The race is for 3 year olds and older and they will be running for their share of a $3 million dollar purse. The field consists of fourteen horses and but for the exception of one have all had prior graded wins. Last year we saw Sometimes Evil from out of the Texasace master stables get up for the win in The Winter Cup and he returns this year to defend his crown with the same jockey, F Gossett getting the mount. This is going to be an exceptional field of horses and should make for an exciting race this Christmas Eve. The morning line odds have been set and the post positions have been drawn. Let us now take a preview of the fourteen horses that will run in this year’s G1, The Winter Cup in Japan.
| 1 | DUCATI MONSTER | IRE | 6M | argentino | M Olsen | 21 | 8 | 52% | $1,451,303 | 132.13 | 15/1 |
First out we will see this 6 year old Bay Horse that was sired by Sea The Starts (SEA THE STARS x KING KAMEHAMEHA x LYPHARD). Earlier this season this horse won the G1, 2022 Equinics at the distance of 16 furlongs on the turf. Since that time, he has failed to hit the boards again until his most recent outing of which he took to the dirt in Kentucky. This start came on 11/06/2022 when he went 14 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Breeders Latinas La Maraton which was an Owner Restricted race. After a brief time on the lead at the third call he fell back to finish third with a 107 speed rating. He comes back to the turf this time out in Japan and is in hope of hitting the boards in another graded event when he come out to represent the Latinos Del Mundo residency.
| 2 | MAGICAL ANGEL | IRE | 5M | redpit | K Hellestrae | 24 | 13 | 87% | $5,632,995 | 464.00 | 5/1 |
This is a 5 year old Bay Horse that was sired by The Gurkha (THE GURKHA x DANZIG x MR. PROSPECTOR). He has been running well for the owner this season and includes two G1 wins and several placings in graded races. Back in February he got up for the win in the G1, The Jai Alai Park Turf in Florida. And last time out on 11/27/2022 here in Japan he got up for another win in the G1, Japan Classic at the distance of 12 furlongs and with a 119 speed rating. This horse has liked being in the money this season and the owner is seeking his third G1 win on the season when they head out to the turf on Saturday representing the Sherwood Forest residency.
| 3 | WESTERN RAVEN | ENG | 5M | coolk9 | M Wallace | 25 | 13 | 76% | $5,393,535 | 106.00 | 15/1 |
Next, we will see this 5 year old Bay Horse that was sired by Intello (INTELLO x DUBAWI (IRE) x IN THE WINGS). This horse has not had a graded win this season but did pick up a couple of Local Championships Stakes wins in Berkshire. The last time out we saw this horse on the track on 12/06/2022 in Germany going 16 furlongs in a $76500 Allowance race. He made a good try to close the gap in this race down the final stretch but fell short coming in second with a 101 speed rating. The owner now has a course set for Japan for his horse this weekend and looks to see him step it up when they come out in the post parade representing the EAAA Racing residency.
| 4 | HELP THE ORPHANS | KY | 4G | lenny8 | E Cerda | 17 | 7 | 71% | $1,129,646 | 280.00 | 7/1 |
This is a 4 year old Bay Gelding that was sired by Noble Mission (NOBLE MISSION x EMPIRE MAKER x NORTHERN DANCER). This horse has run fairly well for the owner this season as he picked up a win in the G1, San Francisco Capitan Handicap and a win in the G2, The Polish Damsire. Last time out this horse ran on 11/05/2022 when he went 12 furlongs in the G1, Breeders’ Bowl Turf in Kentucky. He did not look sharp that day and ran a flat race of which he was never a factor when he crossed the wire back in seventh with a 112 speed rating. The owner is looking for his horse to rebound here in Japan and he has him rested and ready to go when they come out of the paddock this Saturday representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 5 | THE JUST KNIGHT | KY | 4M | akaran | Q Cassell | 20 | 10 | 55% | $709,980 | 136.00 | 13/1 |
Next out we will see this 4 year old Bay Colt that was sired by Justify (JUSTIFY x SADLER’S WELLS x KINGMAMBO) and that is out of HOF mare, Smiling Knight. Back in July of this season this horse made his first graded start and got up for the win in the G2, Dawn To Dusk Cup. After two poor starts at the G1 level he was sent back out for a third G1 start on 11/13/2022 in China where he went 11 furlongs in the G1, The Singapore Cup. He came prepared for this race and showed that he could compete at this level when he got in there for a nice third place finish with a 113 speed rating. The owner is looking to see continued improvement out of his horse this weekend and will have him sent over to the starting gate to represent the GR Simsters residency.
| 6 | CHANNELING LONGER | KY | 5M | lgyetanother1 | D Givins | 24 | 14 | 79% | $1,109,830 | 148.00 | 10/1 |
This is a 5 year old Bay Horse who is a scratch bred (ENGLISH CHANNEL x ELA-MANA-MOU x GALILEO (IRE)). The owner has to be happy with his horse who has won his five most recent starts in a row. This horse has a good resume coming into this race and he is seeking his first G1 win. In his three most recent starts he won the G3, Stockholm Marathon and the G3, Tow Mile Classic and then he won his most recent start as well. That was on 11/06/2022 in New Zealand where he traveled 16 furlongs in the G2, New Zealand Drinking Device. He went gate to wire again in this race and got the win by seven lengths with a 109 speed rating. This horse definitely likes running up front in his races and I am sure he will be out there in the hunt for the lead quickly out of the gate when he comes out to represent the Empire State Racing residency.
| 7 | NOT EVEN WINDED | KY | 4G | padrebri10 | B Peeples | 13 | 7 | 69% | $1,500,081 | 276.00 | 12/1 |
Next out we have this 4 year old Bay Gelding who is a scratch bred (ENGLISH CHANNEL x YEATS x DARSHAAN). He has multiple graded wins and placing this season which include win in the G2, The Longdale Cup and the G1, Longchamp Marathon. That leads us up to his most recent start in New South Wales on 11/01/2022 where he went 16 furlongs in the G1, Millwood Cup. This would end up being a disappointing start for him after two prior graded wins in a row. He threw a clunker and was never a factor when he crossed the wire over ten lengths back in eighth with a 109 speed rating. He gets his favored jockey back in the saddle for the trip on Saturday and they are looking to rebound after their most recent start together when they make their way out in the post parade representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 8 | BLACKROSE PRISON | ENG | 4M | simsters2 | L Radzinski | 16 | 9 | 81% | $1,280,676 | 185.13 | 9/1 |
Here we have a 4 year old Bay Colt that was sired by Dubawi (DUBAWI (IRE) x DYNAFORMER x DEPUTY MINISTER) and that is out of HOF mare, Just Dynamite. He has done very well this season for the owner in his seven starts picking up six wins and one start off the boards. Three starts back she got up for the win in the G3, Winchester Park Cup, then came out and picked up a Listed Stakes win in the Lyric Poet Turf Endurance. Then came his most recent start in China where he went 11 furlongs in the G1, The Singapore Cup. He was well back in the field during the early going as he patiently waited to make his move. By the third call he had maneuvered into third and down the stretch he found some extra effort to get up for his first G1 win with a 117 speed rating. The horse looks sharp and ready to run here in Japan this weekend and will make his way over to his gate draw to represent the GR Simsters residency.
| 9 | TELL ME WHO I AM | ENG | 5G | dydalt | R Truitt | 25 | 7 | 60% | $2,323,507 | 181.00 | 12/1 |
This is a 5 year old Bay Gelding that was sired by Barney Roy (BARNEY ROY (GB) x DUBAWI (IRE) x SADLER’S WELLS). From out of the claimers and into the graded spotlight this horse has blossomed. He is a multiple graded winner and back in January he picked up the win in the G2, Fitness Cup and then scored a spot on the boards in the G1, 2022 Equinics. He has yet to get his first G1 win, but he has his eye set on Japan this weekend. Last time out we saw this horse run in an Owner Restricted Listed Stakes on 11/05/2022 going 16 furlongs in the URC-Melbourne Cup. He put up a good fight in this race and was able to get to the wire first for the win with a 102 speed rating. This horse will get a familiar jockey up top in the saddle this weekend and they will make their way out of the paddock together to represent the Universal Racing Club residency.
| 10 | MIX OF EMOTIONS | JPN | 5M | resting | GD Mate | 18 | 6 | 78% | $5,306,955 | 128.00 | 12/1 |
Coming out next, we have this 5 year old Bay Horse who is a scratch bred (KING KAMEHAMEHA x HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) x DANEHILL). He is without a graded win on the season, but he gave a good effort coming in second in the G1, 2022 Equinics and was third in the G1, The Spring Cup. Last time out he went out to defend his title in New South Wales on 11/01/2022 going 16 furlongs in the Millwood Cup. He put up a good fight in this race and was closing the gap fast in the final stretch of the race, but he would lose his crown as he crossed under the wire in third with a 112 speed rating. This horse is in the hunt for a G1 win this season and he will get his final opportunity this weekend in Japan when this late closer breaks from his gate representing the East-West Connection residency.
| 11 | KNOWN DANGER | JPN | 3M | unicorn | T Small | 9 | 5 | 89% | $1,985,590 | 165.00 | 23/1 |
Next, we have this 3 year old Brown Colt who is a scratch bred (BRICKS AND MORTAR x KINGMAMBO x DANSILI (GB)). This horse has done well all season for the owner and three starts back he got up for the win in the G3, The Gordy Stakes and followed that up with a win in the G1, Saint Legend. Then came his most recent trip to the track which was on 10/23/2022 when he went 12.5 furlongs in the G1, The Vicky Derby. On this day the track was listed as Good Turf. This horse came out of the gate and straight to the front in normal style, but what seemed to be a slip in his final stretch run for the wire he lost ground and crossed the wire in sixth with a 109 speed rating. The owner gets his wish this weekend as the turf track here in Japan will be listed as Firm for the start of the race. A familiar jockey to this horse has been called in to take the mount when they saddle up in the paddock representing the Midas residency.
| 12 | SOMETIMES EVIL | JPN | 5M | texasace | F Gossett | 23 | 10 | 70% | $6,404,824 | 448.00 | 6/1 |
This is a 5 year old Bay Horse who is a scratch bred (DEEP IMPACT x MONTJEU x KINGMAMBO). This is our reigning champion in The Winter Cup who won this race last year as a 4 year old with a blistering 121 speed rating. This horse has two graded wins on the season and one of those was back in July in the G2, The Princess of Whales. He picked up another graded win his last time out and proved he has the goods when on 11/05/2022 in Kentucky he went 12 furlongs in the G1, Breeders’ Bowl Turf. This late closer found himself back in eleventh almost 15 lengths back at the third call. But at the top of the turn coming into the final stretch his favored jockey, F Gossett gave him a nice tap and he took off to get the job done as he crossed the wire first by a neck with a 117 speed rating. This horse looks to defend his crown here in Japan this weekend and he comes into this race after a very nice win last time out. He has F Gossett back in the saddle again so the owner has setup everything he can to help in getting his horse to the finish line first when they break from their gate representing the DelPenn National residency.
| 13 | ONE LOVECRAFT | AUS | 4M | grenoble2 | D Matas | 17 | 5 | 65% | $960,625 | 152.00 | 10/1 |
Next out we have this 4 year old Bay Colt that was sired by Snitzel (SNITZEL x DEEP IMPACT x SEA THE STARS). He is the only starter in Saturday’s race that has yet to score a graded win in his career. He has put up some good fights along the way such as a second place finish two starts back in the G1, Longchamp Marathon in Paris. Last time out he would head out at the track in New South Wales on 11/01/2022 going 16 furlongs in the G1, Millwood Cup. This late closer put up some effort in his final stretch run but the effort would only pay off with a fifth place finish with a 111 speed rating. This horse likes to close late and needs a good trip this time out if he is to factor against this seasoned crowd of bruisers. He gets his favorite jockey in the saddle this weekend and he is coming into this race well rested. The owner is in hopes of seeing his horse put up a good fight here this weekend when they head out in the post parade representing the Universal Racing Club residency.
| 14 | CRY ME A GEE | IRE | 4G | statusquo | E Seifert | 17 | 4 | 59% | $1,256,180 | 132.50 | 10/1 |
Coming out of the final gate will be this 4 year old Bay Gelding that was sired by The Gurkha (THE GURKHA x HEART’S CRY (JPN) x KING KAMEHAMEHA). Two starts back all eyes were focused on this horse when he made a huge run in the G1, Canada Turf as he threw down a whopping 120 speed rating to get up for the win by almost three strides. Last time out he presented himself here in Japan on 11/27/2022 to go 12 furlongs in the Japan Classic. The results would be unsimilar to those in Ontario when he ran flat in this race and was never a factor as he crossed the wire in twelfth with a 110 speed rating. This horse needs a big rebounding effort after that last start and the owner calls back in the favored jockey to this horse to take the ride up top. This horse has proven he can run big, and he needs another of those big efforts here in Japan when he makes his way out of the paddock and over to the turf representing the Otium residency.
Good luck to all owners and horses!
Skippy’s Watch List
2-Magical Angel: Big win here in Japan last time out. Can he go back to back in Japan?
8-Blackrose Prison: He is looking for his sixth win in a row. Does he get it on Saturday?
12-Sometimes Evil: Can he successfully defend his crown? Big win last out. Does he repeat?
Tarton’s Long Shot
5-The Just Knight: This Justify prodigy might be coming into his own? He ran well last time out with a 113 speed rating in a G1 attempt and showed improvement at the G1 level. He has a favorite jockey in the saddle for the trip here in Japan. This pair needs to show a little more consistency in their races together if they are to become a big threat on the turf. At 13/1 in the morning line this well bred colt could be a money maker on some exotic tickets if he can get his act together and strike a tap on the boards as he did in his most recent G1 trip. There are a lot of big horses in this race, and he will meet a tough challenge here on Saturday. Let’s give this colt some support at the betting window and see if he can bring home some money on our exotic tickets.