1 of 2 | Shohei, shown winning the Kyoto Shimbun Hai in May, is one of the many contenders in Sunday’s Grade 1 Kikuka Sho or Japanese St. Leger, final leg of the Japan Triple Crown. Photo courtesy of Japan Racing Association
Oct. 24 (UPI) — Three-year-olds in Japan, 2-year-olds in England and the Cox Plate in Australia nicely fill the final weekend before the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar.
Final entries, post positions and morning-line odds for the 14 Breeders’ Cup races set for Oct. 31-Nov. 1 will be announced Monday.
Meanwhile, action continues in other parts of the world
Around the world, around the clock
Japan
Sunday’s Group 1 Kikuka Sho or Japanese St. Leger wraps up the country’s Classics season, but at 3,000 meters, it takes a little more than three minutes to tie the bow. Neither winner returns from the first two legs and, in fact, only one of the first three finishers from those races is set for the field.
That’s Shohei, who finished third in the Tokyo Yushun or Japanese Derby. He and four other colts made the field through performances in trial races. Yamanin Bouclier and Red Bande enter from the St. Lite Kinen and Eri King, Shohei and Giovanni from the Kobe Shimbun Hai.
Also well regarded are Energico, Excite Bio and Goltzschtal, entering the oversubscribed field on earnings.
England
How well stocked with 2-year-olds is the Ballydoyle yard? Even with some of the top prospects on their way to Del Mar, Aidan O’Brien has three of the six set for Saturday’s Group 1 William Hill Futurity Trophy at Doncaster — and they’re the three favorites in the early wagering.
Benvenuto Cellini exits a romping win in the Group 2 Champions Juvenile at Leopardstown. Hawk Mountain won the Group 2 Beresford at the Curragh in his last. Action comes off a good third in the Group 2 Royal Lodge at Newmarket.
Benvenuto Cellini and Action are by Frankel. Hawk Mountain is by Wootton Bassett. Another Frankel, Juddmonte’s homebred colt Item, is 2-for-2 and steps into deeper waters.
Australia
Last year’s winner, Via Sistina, is back seeking another meal off the Cox Plate. But the 7-year-old mare hasn’t quite looked like the win machine of previous seasons, dropping her last two decisions while third both times.
Beyond her in Saturday’s Group 1, Antino gets some early support but he hasn’t won since the winter break. Romantic Warrior journeyed from Hong Kong to win this in 2023 and surely would be favorite if he had returned this year. Rare multiple winners include Winx, So You Think and Phar Lap.
Back in North America
Keeneland
These meetings just go by too fast. Saturday’s finale features the $600,000 Grade III Bryan Station for 3-year-olds at 1 mile on the turf; the $350,000 Grade III Hagyard Fayette at 1 1/8 miles on the main track; and the $250,000 Bowman Mill for 2-year-olds at 6 furlongs on the dirt.
Churchill Downs
The Twin Spires track picks up the Kentucky baton Sunday with 2-year-old action. The $200,000 Grade III Street Sense is for 2-year-olds and the $200,000 Rags to Riches is restricted to juvenile fillies. Both go at 1 1/16 miles on the main track and are viable options for potential 3-year-old stars not ticketed for the Breeders’ Cup races.
Santa Anita
Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Twilight Derby and Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Autumn Miss for 3-year-old fillies highlight the weekend schedule. The Derby is 1 1/8 miles, the Autumn Miss is 1 mile, and both are on turf.
State-bred action
At Aqueduct, 92 New York-breds are entered for Saturday’s Empire Showcase Day. The slate includes turf and dirt races, nine stakes, a maiden special weight and one maiden claimer.
Saturday is Indiana Champions Day at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Festivities include six heats for Hoosier-bred Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horse racing and a cigar-rolling station with free stogies to the first 400 leaf-rollers.
Mahoning Valley hosts the Best of Ohio Saturday with the focus on 2- and 3-year-old Buckeye-breds.
AloJapan.com