The $2,000,000 Japan Classic

Konnichiha soshite E Yokoso (Hello and welcome to) Japan for the featured event of this glorious day in racing. It is the $2,000,000 Japan Classic. The prestigious event is an open event for 3 year olds and upward. The distance will be held at 1 ½ miles on the turf.  The applications have been received and we have drawn an incredible mix of runners from throughout the world. Some of the featured performers today are none other than the # 1 ranked filly in the world and the Breeders Bowl champion in Mon Coup. The Arc de Triumph winner and 3 yr old sensation called The Gun Went Off. An ex claimer in December named Borius Phanthom, who mowed down some tough competition last out to win the Gr1 Coffeefields Cup. We have five Grade 1 winners in this stellar field. We have some up and coming stars that look to have their named etched in the Nihon Koten Trophy. Get yourself a good seat and have a Cherry Blossom Margarita, ‘cause it’s now post time!!

 El Kursaal totes the # 1 cloth. He is trained by Zambaygo of the Rafa Stables. The roan 4 yr old colt is sired by Unbridled’s Song. El Kursaal enters the race off his 7^th place finish in the Breeders Bowl. In that race, El Kursaal sat in 9^th, made a move and quickly flattened out. Trainer Zambaygo told AP Press “His 2^nd place finish in the Coalminer Cup prior to that, prompted us to give him a shot in the BB. He only had 3 weeks into the race and we felt that he didn’t fire his best effort that day.” In El Kursaal’s Coalminer Cup Gr1 effort, the 4 yr old unleashed a furious drive down the stretch to get 2^nd, missing by 2 2/4 lengths. In his prior race to that, El Kursaal ran 4^th by 16 lengths on a turf course listed as “good”. “He ran decent, but we’re not sure he handled the soft going that day. He likes the turf hard as a rock. It seems today that we get that footing.” El Kursaal may be another in here today to have to change tactics a bit. He is a mid to late pack closer that will be charging with many others in the race. He has the ability to run a good race here today, but he must be on his best. He is listed at 10-1 and gets the services of R.Lott today.

The   #2 horse is Silencers. He is trained by the aptly named Supers. He enters today’s race after his 5^th place finish in the BB Turf. Trainer Super states “he ran decent in the BB, we just we’re looking for a bit better. His last 2 races have been so-so, but we feel confident that today is going to be better.”  The 4 yr old son of Kingmambo, Silencers is capable of better than his last 2. In August, in The Gr1 Sword Swallower Stakes, the brown colt made up 8 lengths in the stretch to win by an expanding 2 ½ lengths at the wire. His 109 speed number was the 2^nd highest of his career. In that race, Silencers sat back farther than usual. At the halfway mark in the race, he was 9^th, spotting the front runner 13 lengths. In that race, he defeated Borius Panthom. Trainer Super states “We’re going to give him a break after this race. Maybe try him back on the dirt, we’re not sure.” Look for Silencers maybe to change tactics today. If Silencers is to be effective today, I think he may need to be up at the pace more. There’s a long list of closers today, and some may have a bit more kick down the stretch than he. With a lack of pace here today, he may try to sneak a peak at the leaders turning for home. Silencers is a class horse that can get untracked here today. He is ridden by M.Widell and is listed at 7-1.               Blazing Lights wears the blue #3 saddlecloth today. Blazing Lights is a 5 year old son of the great Sadler’s Wells. Blazing Lights returns to the lawn after a 3 race interruption on the dirt. In those last 3 events, Blazing Lights won an allowance race, finished 6^th in a Gr1 and 3^rd in a stakes race. Trainer Topicount said “We’re back on the green and trying to see if the change of surface wakes him up a bit. He’s a little off his form right now, so we’re trying to jump start it with this race. We’re trying to get him back to some of his form from late last year. He ran in this race last year, so we’re gonna try to better that effort. He has the back class to spring an upset, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed.” Blazing Lights is a 5 time graded placed horse throughout his career. He just can’t seem to get that elusive win. Blazing Lights will be trying to try the dirt to turf angle to try to get the horse to respond better. It has worked many times in the past in the Sim and today would be no different if Blazing can run back to some earlier back class. Look for Blazing Lights to be in the wall of horses sitting towards the rear. When he runs well, look for him to flying down the stretch late. Blazing Lights can win wire to wire as evidenced in his January win in The Desert Warrior St. He is listed at 15-1 today and gets the services Ratzlaff.

Questing Beast sports the #4 saddlecloth. The 4 year old colt is sired by Rainbow Quest out of a Sadler’s Wells mare. Questing Beast comes into the race off a disappointing effort in the Breeders Bowl Turf. In that race, the brown 4 yr old never got going. He finished 12^th in a field of 14 with his lowest speed number on turf. That effort prompted trainer Elenalag to tell the BTB, “It was his 6^th Grade 1 in a row. Maybe it was too much for him. We’re giving him one more race this year and then a nice little break. He seems to be ready for this one today though. I expect him to run back to his better form.” Questing Beast ran in the Arc De Triumph, running a good 3^rd to The Gun Went Off. In that race, Questing Beast ran midpack, made a nice move at the leaders, but just couldn’t catch The Gun and Max California. In the gr1 Man O’War, Questing Beast made up some ground late to finish a closing 5^th. Questing Beast is one of those horses who possibly has hit the sim wall. Questing Beast is a better horse than he has shown in the last 2 races. He just has to get back on track. Many times it’s the 3^rd start that will get a horse back. He has a good closing kick, but needs a good pace to run at. Questing Beast has faced the best in the world race after race. In the United Countries Handicap, Questing Beast ran a bang up second to Puppet Regime (4.8 Million). Back in March, Questing won the Gr1 Little Guppy Classic. In that race, he defeated division rivals like #1Max California, 2.6 million and last week winner Exclusive Habitat, and 3 million Strong Belwas. Questing Beast has a good chance here today if fresh and ready to run. Questing Beast goes today in his 12^th race of the year and entering his 9^th Grade 1 of the year. Questing Beast may be given a break after this one and this race will tell how fresh the horse is.

The # 5 horse is the reigning champ of the prestigious Arc De Triumph named The Gun Went Off. Trained by Lenny, of the Evil Empire, The Gun Went Off comes into this race having only run 7 times on the turf. Of that 7, he has won 4 and placed 3. He has two Grade 1 victories to his credit. The Gun Went Off started his 17 race career on dirt. After winning his first 4 lifetime starts on dirt, and then a Gr1 this February on dirt, trainer Lenny wasn’t really pushed to try him on the turf. Lenny told the Japan Associated Press, “He was 7 for 9 in the money on dirt, including a win in the Gr1 Vermont is For Lovers. After his performance in the Gr2 Bonnie Situation (an uncharacteristic 10^th), we figured it would be a good shot to try him on the green. Mineshaft goes through the Slew line and his grandfather is Danzig directly. We always had the idea of trying the turf, but we waited for him to tell us when. We were pleasantly surprised right away with his results.” The Gun Went Off tried turf for the first time in April in the The Royal With Cheese Stakes. Going off at 2-1 in a field of 7, The Gun broke away customarily slow. Spotting the leaders 15 lengths down the backside, the great grandson of Buckpasser was asked to pick it up. The Gun Went Off responded beautifully. Still 7 back at the top of the stretch, The Gun kicked in and won the race by a commanding 4 lengths. His top career speed number at that time of 104 and his remarkable kick told Lenny that they had made a wise choice. “You never really know until you try. I felt confident, and The Gun impressed me a lot. I watched him through the stretch with the binocs, I couldn’t believe the ground his was eating up.” Lenny and the owners were so impressed that The Gun’s next start was to be a Gr1. In the Gr 1 Adelaide Derby at a furlong more, the ambitious 3 yr old went off at the worse half of 5-1. At the halfway point, The Gun was doing his usual lollygagging back in 12^th by 16 lengths. His jock, A. Snappa then tapped the strapping 3 yr old on the shoulder. The Gun responded by closing to 9^th by 11 lengths at the top of the stretch. With 2 furlongs to go, he unleashed his severe kick to miss the winner by 2 ¾ lengths. Lenny states, “We were pleased and knew we had a good one. We then thought long term and picked out 2 key races for him. They were The English Derby and The Arc.” In the Arc, not only was he taking on elders, he was taking on the best in the world. The 3 year old went off at 7-1 in a full field of 13. Standing in his way was Max California, the #1 ranked horse in the world. The Gun broke  a bit closer this time and moved into competition turning for home.  7 ¼ lengths out, The Gun made his move at Max. He closed to take the lead at the 1/8 pole and extended his winning margin at the wire to 3 ¼ lengths. The Gun Went Off is the ultimate Sim model of consistency. He comes into the race not having finished worse than 2^nd in his last 7 starts. When 4 of them are Gr1’s, you get the idea. I look for the 3yr old to be sitting towards the rear and make his usual powerful kick. Pace scenario doesn’t work as well for him today as well as some others, but distance is perfect for him. He will be one tough customer today. He is one of three co-favs at 6-1 and gets main man Ledwith in the irons.

 Deeeetroit Tigers wears the #6 saddle cloth. The 3yr old son of War Chant is trained by the Gipper. He comes into tody’s race having faced his elders for the first time in the Gr2 Fujimoto Stakes at 8f. In that race Deeeetroit Tiger’s broke last and never threatened. It was a very uncharacteristic performance from the colt, prompting his trainer Gipper to tell us “We think he bumped the gate coming out and threw a shoe early. He never got into the race and that’s not like him. This horse has a lot of heart and there was a reason he never got untracked.” Deeeetroit definitely is a better horse than that. In his race prior to that, Deeeetroit ran in the Gr2 Early Month Stakes. Sitting 15 lengths back with 4 furlongs to go, Deeeetriot came flying late to get 2^nd missing by 2 lengths. In August, in the Big Red Stakes (Gr1), the brown colt was 8^th turning for home and took dead aim at the leaders. They crossed the wire with Deeeetroit in front by 2 ¼ lengths. His speed number of 112 and final time of 2:00 3/5 was extremely impressive for a 3yr old. In the Gr2 Upper California, Deeeetroit Tigers again closed powerfully to miss by 1 ¼ lengths. Trainer Gipper told Smokeglack “He’s got a tremendous turn of foot when asked. His jockeys have all told me that he is very strong. Based on his running style, we think he’ll handle the 12f fine. We think he’s going to like it more. We know we’re going against some good older horses, but he’s ready. We have to let him become a horse.” Deeeetroit has many questions to answer here today. The distance, the older horses and his late running style are key questions coming in. We’ll know a lot more about this horse after today, but he is definitely one of the 3 yr olds to be reckoned with. He has beckoned V.Gray today and is listed at a 13-1.

Borius Phanthom is a 4yr old colt trained by Pedroza. He enters today’s race having won the $3,000,000 Gr1 Coffefield Cup. In that event, Borius Phanthom sat towards the rear and made a bid for the lead at the top of the stretch. He closed 5 lengths in the stretch to win the Gr1 by a 1 ¼. His career best speed number of 111 told Pedroza that this horse has matured into a star. “I claimed him back in December. I thought he had the look of an improving horse. I started him in Starter Allowances to get some confidence in him. He won 6 straight races for me by a combined 35 lengths. We taught him how to win and he has repaid us by giving us the Coffeefield Cup Trophy.” An amazing feat for any trainer is to claim a horse and have your picture taken in a Gr1. Borius Phanthom is a horse that is starting to believe in himself. In his race prior to the Coffeefields, the Irish bred son of Desert King, finished 3^rd by 3 ¾. “When we lost to Rosenthal by only 3 lengths, we knew he was turning the corner and ready to in a Gr1 competitively.” Borius Phanthom had become an instant millionaire. For today’s race, Borius is the hot horse. He must continue to illicit his change in form. He is facing some serious contenders in the same bunch. But don’t be so quick to discount the Lava Man story yet. He continues to get better and seems to understand the game now. His running style and last speed numbers fit very well here as he looks to continue his rags to riches story. He is listed at 8-1 and get D.Davis in the saddle. He wears the #7 cloth

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Impacted is the number 8 horse. He comes into the race having run a 111 speed number in the Love That River Special Stakes and won by 3 lengths. The 3 year old son of Deep Impact, Impacted is ready to tackle graded company for the first time. Trainer Selurvinek said “we we’re very pleased with his last race. He’s won his last 3 of 4 races and deserves a shot in graded company. We feel that he’s running well right now and that he’ll be competitive anywhere he ran this weekend. Why not go after the glory and the 2,000,000 purse.” He may be right. Impacted is the kind of 3 yr old that takes over a division very quickly. He is the 26^th ranked 3 yr old right now. He would be higher if Selurvinek didn’t believe in letting Impacted run his conditions correctly and not face elders until now. Impacted has all the earmarks today to spring a big surprise. In September, Impacted beat a field of 4 in the Pharlightning Bat Stakes by 2 ¾ lengths. In his attempt after that, Impacted ran 3^rd by 5 lengths prompting trainer Selurvinek to say “We don’t think he liked the soft going on the turf to much. He ran respectable, but not the way he had been training.” Impacted looks like a horse that is ready to turn the corner and start maturing into his 4 yr old career. He has tremendous upside potential, regardless of today’s outcome against olders and graded company. Look for Impacted to be mid to rear pack. He likes to make his move a tiny bit earlier than the rest of them in here, and may have a good jump turning for home. He is listed at 10-1 and gets the services of N.Tippins

The #9 horse today is Tush. He comes into today’s race after finishing a good 3^rd in the DelPenn Restricted Mile race. In that race, Tush sat 10^th at the top of the stretch and closed to get 3^rd, missing by 4 lengths. Tush comes into the race never having gone further than 8 furlongs on the turf. A possible usual detriment to a horse, that same may serve Tush real well here today. With the long list of closers, Tush will probably start him run a bit sooner than the rest. He has a nice closing style at 8f and this 3 year old is ready to start his 4yr old campaign. In August, Tush did the inevitable and had to face his elders. In the Gr2 Fried Rice Mile, Tush ran a very respectable 5^th losing by only 4 lengths. Trainer Fatattack of Lonestar racing comments “we were very pleased with his first effort against elders. In that race, he lost to Otto Vasher. We look forward to his 4 yr old career and it starts today. We’re going to find out if he wants to go a bit of ground (12f). We think he’s training well and can handle the distance. The only way to know is to run them.” Tush ran against his elders last out as well. He is an improving horse and the big question is for him today is can he handle the distance? I think he belongs against his olders and I like the fact that the miler is taking on some real long lazy going 1 ½ ers.

I look for Tush to be sitting 3^rd,4^th or 5^th turning for home, and we’ll find out if the distance helps or hurts today. He is 13-1 and gets the services of Hudson Today.

Dixie leads the #10 horse into the paddock. She is the 17 hands 4yr old filly Mon Coup; The #1 ranked Filly in the world and recent winner of the $2,000,000 Breeders Bowl Turf Distaff.  In that race, the daughter of Montjeu broke towards the rear and at the half mile pole, she was 11^th by 7 ½ lengths. She moved into contention at the top of the stretch, moving to 5^th by a length. Through the lane she turned on the burners and steamrolled through the stretch to win the BB race by a widening 2 lengths. Her final time of 2:14 1/5 and winning speed number of 115 was simply outstanding. 60% ITM trainer Dixie states of the win, “We were thrilled for her and the owners. It was her first Gr1 win. She had been taking on some tough competition, having faced the boys in her 2 prior to the BB. I think those races against the boys toughened her up for the BB. She’s such a good filly. She runs hard like her mom did.( Her mom was 5 time Gr1 winner and 6 million dollar earner Seattle Hit). In her prep for her BB run, Mon Coup ran 4^th by 5 lengths in the 16f Gr2 Longchamp Marathon. In The Clock is Ticking Handicap, she again faced the boys. Mon Coup fired well through the stretch to get up for second, losing by 6 lengths, but beating 9 other colts. Her prior race, she was nominated by the Pastures Of Green Residency to compete in the Sim version of the Olympics called the Equinics. In that 14f event, with 18 entrants, Mon Coup made a bold late run to finish 2^nd. Her 2^nd place finish was enough to tell Dixie that her ultimate prize would be the BB Turf Distaff.. “She showed with that race, that she could compete with the best in her division. We then decided that her races would lead her up to the BB.” Her 106 speed number was her career best at that time. Mon Coup is again taking on the boys today. She is a live threat today and will be picking up pieces late. She may need to uncoil her kick a bit earlier today, due to the lack of speed, but this filly is one that can do it. She competes with the best and is here today to expand her reputation. L Fenner get in the saddle today and she is listed at 17-1.

The number 11 horse is Flushing Waters. He is sired by High Chaparral. The 5 yr old comes into today’s event having run 5^th in a NG stakes race. The 5yr old seems to be off his form lately, but looks to use some of his speed to trick this field. Trainer PM states “we enetered todays race because I believe pace makes race. I think we have something up our sleeves for today’s race .We gonna try some tactics today to see if we can reverse this horses recent form. He is a graded placed horse; we just have to build his confidence back up.” Flushing Waters has a tough task here today. His toward the front running style will serve him better today, but will he be able to use his old back class to hold off the list of dominating closers. He will need the perfect race today, but be weary of horses on the lead with no pace around them. He is listed at 16-1 and get Simmons today.

The # 12 horse today is Septcic Squall. The 3 yr old colt is trained by Jaklad of the URC Residency. Septic Squall comes into the race after a disappointing effort in the Gr3 Carlton Fisk Handicap. The son of Septieme Ciel sat 4^th midway through, but retreated back as they straightened for the lane. Trainer Jacklad told the BTB “we tried him 4 times now against his elders. We think the last race was a combination of the track being good and he’s still learning what it takes to face the elders. We’re getting him ready for his 4 yr old season, by giving him another chance today.” Septic Squall is the #15 ranked 3yr old in the world. As a 2yr old, Septic Squall finished 6^th, missing by only 2 lengths in the prestigious World Cup Juvenile Turf (Gr1). As a 3yr old, Septic missed taking the Gr1 Sydney Derby by a ½ length. Jacklad states “that was a frustrating race for us. We thought he was going to notch his first Gr1 victory that day.” Septic Squall will be facing a difficult task today, but today may be the day he matures into an older horse. Look for Septic Squall to be sitting mid pack today, which could be to his advantage. Septic Squall may try to also change his tactics today and use some of his tactical speed into front running speed. He is listed at 25-1 and beckons B.Parker to the irons today.

Kirby’s Best Yet is the # 13 horse. He is a 4 yr colt trained by Kirby. The 4 yr old son of Kingmambo exits an 8^th place finish in the BB Turf. In that race, Kirby’s Best Yet ran 3^rd through the 6f marker. When Jockey Stivers asked the colt for his run, he didn’t put forth his best effort. He finished a retreating 8^th, losing by 13 lengths. Kirby told 1340 Sim Radio that “We we’re perplexed at his effort. We had him scoped after the race, but he came back fine. We tried to put some sharp works in him for today and we hope it pays off.” Kirby’s Best Yet has one solid thing going for him today. In a race with dominating closers, Kirby likes to be near the lead. A class horse that is allowed to gallop along through the early part of the race is a dangerous one. Kirby’s Best Yet has that ability as evidenced by a couple of his earlier races. In the Gr1 Sand Castle Golden Turf Classic back in March, Kirby beat some of the best horses in the world, taking the race by a commanding 2 ¾ lengths. His victims that day were: Rapid Grey, Rosenthal, Lex Luthor and Severe Warning. It was his career best race and speed number (113). Kirby told us “He won the English Derby as a 3 yr old and we knew he was going to be a good 4 yr old. When he won the Sand Castle, we thought he was ready to take over the division.” Kirby seems to have gotten untracked a bit from that time earlier in the year. He comes into the race having won the Gr2 Shimko Classic by 4 lengths in August. Kirby’s Best Yet can fire a good one today based on his running style. He will be able to watch any kind of front running speed in front of him. He is ready to fire big again; it’s just a matter of today being the day. His running style helps a lot today. He gets Roser in the saddle today and listed at co-favorite at 6-1.

Computer has been acting up lately, so I’ll stick to short version. There is absolutely no speed in this race whatsoever. There will be a severe charge of horses turning for home.

Smokeglack’s Anaylsis:

Top 5 in order:

1)      The Gun Went Off– Loved his last, if duplicates,wins.

2)      Mon Coup– Big time filly can take on boys with no problem. Must fire similar effort as BB.

3)      Questing Beast-capable of big race today. Looks to bounce of poor BB race.

4)      Impacted– Improving 3 yr old looks to start knocking heads against division best.

5)      Borius Phanthom– Solid consistent horse can get job done today if runs to last. Wouldn’t surprise at all.