Japan Classic GR 1 12F $4M 3yr/up
Japan (JPN)
Sunday, November 23, 2025 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID : 3505501
Japan Classic
Grade I / Group 1*CPU – Purse : $4,000,000
Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older
12 Furlongs | ~2400 Meters | One Mile and a Half Firm Turf
1 FRANKS STAR FORTY GB 5M dkstables29 F Gossett odds 3/1
FRANKEL (GB) x FORTY NINER x SEA THE STARS
Two words “Generational Talent”. This one is not finished yet even though already a HOF’er as with a win here it pushes it closer to being the all time Sim earner with lots left in the tank to achieve it. Can’t see him losing here it’s like watching Secretariat running it’s last race and everyone else is running for 2nd and not sure why the odds aren’t 8/5 or less?
2 AFTERGLOW OF DAY GB 5M asrstar16 N Labreche odds 7/1
DUBAWI (IRE) x DANEHILL x STORM CAT
Mostly a mile runner looking to cash in on a cheap payday 4th or 5 th with the 4M purse. That I just don’t see has the stamina even though bloodline suggests it and getting long in the tooth at 5 and wear and tear starting to take it’s toll. A slow pace for this stalking style is what would be needed to succeed.
3 BLACK BASILICA IRE 4G woettemares V Jef odds 7/1
ST MARK’S BASILICA x SATONO ALADDIN x KITTEN’S JOY
15 ranked 4 yr old out of mare Happy B’day Woette with stamina in spades looks to bounce back from a 6th place in the GR 1 Ark DeComic and again facing Franks Star Forty where he was 7 lengths back. Jock V.Jef retains the mount and better bring his A game and try to be closer to the pace this time to bring home the win. Minus last start owner Woette has worked this one nicely this 2025 Campaign and will be interesting to see what 2026 brings after this year end run.
4 INTERIM WINNER KY 4M cjt10 GD Mate odds 44/1
SPEIGHTSTOWN x DUBAWI (IRE) x CAMELOT (GB)
Never ran a STKS or Graded Race lifetime and don’t see this one being a factor, not sure why it entered here but will get it’s 15 mins (or shall I say 30 secs) as I see this one take the lead then get swallowed up by the field after the first turn.
5 ZUNA KVASIR JPN 5M musse2 J Ledwith odds 5/1
KIZUNA x KING KAMEHAMEHA x MONTJEU
1 offspring of sire Kizuna and from GR winner producing mare Akna King. Solid winner at 10F but Owner/Trainer Musse has lengthened him out to 12F with higher company and has shown results. Career SPD 118 in the GR 1 Grand Carlos, mid pace runner could surprise as Ledwith retains the mount and handled a superb ride last time out at this very PP.
6 NEIGHBOR NANCY JPN 4M bluegrassstate Z Kentucky odds 6/1
LORD KANALOA x SEA THE STARS x SADLER’S WELLS
First time GR 1 runner has had a busy season as this will be his 12th start. Winner of 4 of 5 past starts came in hot last race with a career 118 SPD in the GR 2 Spankie at 11.5F from way back to romp 5 lengths. Granddaughter of HOF’er Wexford County looks to become only the 2nd GR 1 winner in the family tree and although I don’t see it here, next season should be in the cards.
7 CRUISIN IN DUBAI FR 4G uptothemark D Givins odds 10/1
SIYOUNI x GALILEO (IRE) x DUBAI MILLENNIUM
GR 3 winner last time out at this distance and has veteran jock and soon to be HOF’er D.Givins to tackle his highest quality field yet. Just off the pace is where this one likes to be and the 7 hole shouldn’t detract as he’s won from here before. If nothing else experience will be gained for the upcoming 2026 season.
8 TETE OPPROBRE JPN 5G racelord5 B Wu odds 9/1
HARBINGER x GALILEO (IRE) x RED RANSOM
If this was an off track race I’d be at the window putting down hard earned money to win on him, But it’s NOT! Has faltered badly when needed a big result at this distance and GR (9th and 5th) by double digit lengths behind. Upside is he’s a pacesetter and could be trying to steal this one start to finish as he has done in all his wins which by the way is a race tying 12.
9 SCHWARTZ D’HAUS IRE 4M amoled J Wilson odds 11/1
BLACKBEARD x MONSUN x THEATRICAL
Best offspring from GR 1 mare SCHAUSPIELHAUS will be looking to get back on track after 3 disappointing GR 1 results past 3 starts and could be tough as will be facing some that were there, here again! Fresh new face in jock J.Wilson hopes to supply an answer and challenge from what could be a wore out colt being pushed for his 5th race in 5 months at much higher levels.
10 INFINITE LUMINANCE AUS 4M will0 M Zeus odds 9/2
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) x GALILEO (IRE) x DUBAWI (IRE)
Fresh off the BB Turf win, he looks to be I believe the first to take Euro Bowl and Breeders Bowl Turf in the same season as it will be a tall ask on 3 weeks rest. Again also asking to go the furthest wide (20 PP in BB) be it only PP 10 is going to make the job tougher and sweeter if successful. Always a threat as he has gone ITM lifetime and only 1 show in 13 career starts which is also the lowest in this field. I see a potential battle down the stretch toe to toe as this one will be sitting on the heels of the pacesetter waiting to pounce if he has anything left in the tank.
LR Hotwire
1: 1. Franks Star Forty – gotta go with the HOF’er just think it’s a steal at 3/1
2: 10. Infinite Luminance – hoping it lives up to the hype and even better story if it wins
3: 3. Black Basilica – flipped a coin and this one won, just kidding like the fact that it’s faced Franks Star Forty and came close