Grade 1 Japan Classic
Japan Classic
Grade I / Group 1 – Purse : $4,600,000
Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older
12 Furlongs | ~2400 Meters | One Mile and a Half (TURF)
Japan (JPN)
Sunday, December 01, 2013 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID : 1050547
We travel to the land of the rising sun for Japans Premier Race over the classic distance of one mile and a half on turf, the G1 Japan Classic. Featuring an international field of 12 top class horses trained to the minute by some of our best trainers, competing for a staggering $4,600,000 in prize money and trophies. We have perfect conditions for racing and a huge crowd is in attendance. Lets have a look at the runners and see if we can find the winner.
DROP OF JUPITER (nemesis1 – Pastures of Green) 36 runs, 15 wins $331,934
Experienced 5 year old brown horse by Marcus Andronicus, his last win was an 11.5F stakes race in Norway on the 10/03/2013. He has been placed at this track. 3 runs back he ran a poor 5th in a 13F Allowance, on turf in Germany, running SP 89. He followed that with a 3rd place finish in another 11F Allowance, again in Germany, on turf, running SP 97. His final lead up run resulted in an improved 3rd in the 11F G3 New Oak Stakes, once again in Germany, on turf, running SP 101. To be ridden by D Evans from gate 1. Looks outclassed. ODDS 21/1
IRENE’S FURY (pointblank – GR Simsters) 28 runs, 4 wins $666,438
This regally bred 4 year old brown colt by Galileo has won 1 of his last 3 starts. He is untested on this track, having raced in Florida (America) for most of his career. 3 runs back he won a 12F Allowance NW4L in Florida (America), on turf, running a fast SP 110. A lacklustre 8th followed in the 12F G2 The Polish Damsire in Ontario (Canada), on turf, running SP 100. His final lead up run resulted in a fast finishing 2nd in the 12F G1 Canada Turf, again in Ontario, on turf, running SP 105. To be ridden by O Brim from gate 2. Progressive colt still improving. He must be given a chance. ODDS 17/1
SKY FORCE (rvd5 – GR Simsters) 14 runs, 6 wins $1,769,280
My No 3 Selection: This lightly raced 3 year old brown colt by Workforce has won 4 of his last 6 starts. He is untested on this track. 3 runs back he ran on nicely to place 2nd in the 10F G2 The Adam Gene in Deauville (France), on turf, running SP 109. He followed that with a smart win in the 12F G2 The O’Neal in Paris, on turf, running a slick SP 112. His final lead up run resulted in an easy win in the 12F G1 Coffeefields Cup in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running SP 111. To be ridden by C Fairchild from gate 3. Progressive horse really starting to appreciate the longer trips. Very good chance. ODDS 14/1
WEST END DANCER (kool4katz – EAAA Racing) 23 runs, 7 wins $400,743
My No 4 Selection: This ultra consistent 4 year old chestnut colt by Danehill Dancer has won 3 of his last 4 starts. He is untested on this track. After winning a 13F Allowance race in California (America), on turf, he ran a nice 2nd in the 13F G3 The Freer Stakes in Newmarket (England), on turf, running SP 108. He followed that with another very easy win in a 12F Allowance race in New Zealand, on turf, running SP 107. His final lead up run resulted in an impressive win in the 12F G2 The Paris Councel in Paris, on turf, running a slick SP 111. To be ridden by K Bedwell from gate 4. Stepping into G1 company for the first time but his trainer has been patient waiting for him to fully mature. Has a few heavy weights to contend with here but I give him a solid chance. ODDS 10/1
BUTTONS‘N’ZIPPERS (willowisp3 – Blazing Saddles) 25 runs, 4 wins $523,701
This well-bred 4 year old brown colt by Monsun last won back on the 05/01/2013 at stakes level over 13F. He is untested at this track. 3 runs back he ran on nicely to place 3rd at stakes level in the 12F Sass With Class Turf Endurance in British Columbia (Canada), on turf, running SP 99. At his next run he ran on again into 6th place in the 12F G1 The G.P. Von Baden in Germany, on turf, running SP 105. His final lead up run resulted in a nice 3rd place finish in the 12F G1 Canada Turf in Ontario (Canada), on turf, running SP 103. To be ridden by J Wilson from gate 5. Nice horse but others better here. ODDS 12/1
ASPAULSAIDINROMANS (kewmwa – GR Simsters) 12 runs, 5 wins $249,985
My No 5 Selection: This lightly raced, ultra consistent 4 year old brown colt by Dansili has won 2 of his last 5 starts. He has been placed at this track. First attempt at G1 company. 3 runs back he ran 3rd in a 10F Allowance race in Belgium, on turf, running a respectable SP 106. He followed that with a nice 2nd place in the 10.5F G3 The Lancaster in Berkshire (England), on turf, again running SP 106. His final lead up run resulted in fine win in the 11F G3 Ark Trial, again in Berkshire (England), on yielding turf, running a hot SP 113. To be ridden by namesake jockey W Kewmwa from gate 6. Has been patiently handled and looks like a horse on the rise, rates highly. ODDS 12/1
COWS AND GUNS (shaghar1 – All-Stars Racing) 27 runs, 7 wins $1,306,308
This 6 year old grey horse by Tapit has won 4 of his last 6 starts. He has been placed at this track. 3 runs back he ran on ok to place 5th in the 12F G2 The Rheinstone in Germany, on turf, running SP 106. He then ran on nicely to win the 12F G3 Autumn Stakes in Surrey (England), on turf, running a smart SP 113. His final lead up run resulted in a nice 2nd, again running on strongly, in the 12F G1 Coffeefields Cup in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running a respectable SP 109. To be ridden by B Ampe from gate 7. Racing well but this race has a few hot contenders. Must rate a chance. ODDS 7/1
DYNAMIC FORCE (jdrhys – All-Stars Racing) 17 runs, 8 wins $5,372,670
My No 2 Selection: Another top class 4 year old brown colt by Montjeu winner of 2 of his last 5 starts. One start at this track for a 4th placing on good turf. 4 runs back he ran a slashing 2nd in the 12F G1 The Coronation Pilsner in Surrey (England), on turf, running a super SP 118 (TO CATCH A KITTY 3rd). He then won the 12F G1 King Geoff and Queen Beth’s Emerald Stakes, beating a hot field, again in Surrey (England), on turf, running SP 112. 2 runs back resulted in a 3rd place finish in the 10F G1 The Champion Stakes in Ireland, on turf, running SP 108. His last run was in the prestigious 12F G1 Breeders’ Bowl Turf in California (America), on turf, finishing a luckless 4th, running SP 111. To be ridden by V Drosos from gate 8. Was hoping to draw nearer the rails to enhance his chances. Drawn wide of late forcing him to get out of his ground. Needs a little luck in running. Huge chance. ODDS 4/1
ASADO ETXEBARRI (dabears – All-Stars Racing) 12 runs, 5 wins $675,380
This 3 year old bay colt by Invincible Spirit has won 1 of his last 3 starts. He has been placed at this track in the Japanese Derby. After placings in the G1 The French Grand Prix and The Japanese Derby he easily won a 12F Allowance race in Thailand, on turf, running a smart SP 110. He then ran on nicely to place 3rd in the 12F G2 The O’Neal in Paris, on turf, again running SP 110. His final lead up run resulted in an average 6th placing in the 14F G1 The Japanese Saint Legend in Japan, on an unsuitable yielding turf surface, running SP 98. To be ridden by B Child from gate 9. Prepared to forgive his latest performance and give him an outside chance. ODDS 14/1
STARRING STONERS (champion2 – Old School Racing Stables) 14 runs, 7 wins $389,540
This consistent 4 year old chestnut colt by Sea The Stars has won 2 of his last 5 starts. He has been placed on this track. After winning a 12F Allowance in Sweden (SP 107) he graduated to stakes company for the first time winning the 11.5F The Beast Goes On Turf Stayer in Italy, on turf, running a fast SP 111. Stepping up to graded level at his next start resulted in a fair 6th in the 12F The Rheinstone in Germany, on turf, running SP 106. 2 runs back he placed 3rd in the 12F G3 Autumn Stakes in Surrey (England), on turf, running SP 109. He ran 3rd in his final lead up run in the 12F G2 The Angry Dragon in Japan, on turf, running SP 104. To be ridden by B Simmons from gate 10. Now attempting G1 company, will wish the connections good luck but hard to see him winning. ODDS 9/1
TO CATCH A KITTY (icbomber7 – GR Simsters) 20 runs, 11 wins $7,725,113
My No 1 Selection: The current sim global champion, a 4 year old grey colt by Kitten’s Joy has taken all before him of late winning his last 4 starts all at G1 Level. He has also won at this track at G1 Level. 4 runs back he easily won the 11F G1 United Countries in New Jersey (America), on turf running a scintillating SP 120. He followed that with another easy win in the 12F G1 Sword Swallower Stakes in New York (America), on turf, again running a super SP 118. 2 runs back resulted in another win in the 12F G1 Classic Turf Stakes, again in New York, on turf, running SP 114. At his last run he contested the prestigious 12F G1 Breeders’ Bowl Turf in California (America), on turf, winning once again, running SP 115. To be ridden by gun jockey L Radzinsky from wide out in gate 11. Superstar galloper in invincible form. ODDS 2/1
K’S FINAL EPISODE (kronus – Hispano Parlante) 17 runs, 6 wins $297,834
This well-bred 5 year old chestnut horse by Kingmambo has won 2 of his last 5 starts. He is untested on this track. After a 4th in the 12F G1 The Saint Cloud Grand Prix in France (SP 103) he easily won a 12F Hot Race in Paris, on turf, running SP 81. He followed that with a nice 4th in the 12F G1 The G.P. Von Baden in Germany, on turf, running a respectable SP 106. His final lead up run resulted in a 3rd place finish in the 12F G1 The Jockey’s Weapon in Italy, on turf, running SP 101. To be ridden by S L Ledwith from the widest gate 12. Very consistent horse facing tough opposition here. ODDS 16/1
1st place = TO CATCH A KITTY
2nd place = DYNAMIC FORCE
3rd place = SKY FORCE
4th place = WEST END DANCER
5th place = ASPAULSAIDINROMANS
Greg (gcliffo)