After a 10-week summer break, racing returns to both at Nakayama near Tokyo and Hanshin near Osaka Sept. 9.
The featured race on opening week at Nakayama is the Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap (G3), a 1,600-meter (approximately one mile) turf race for 3-year-olds and up, set for Sept. 10. Industria, a 4-year-old colt who won the Lord Derby Challenge Trophy (G3) at the same course and same distance in April, is a likely favorite.
Dolce More, a 3-year-old colt who won Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) last December, tries to run the shortest distance ever for him in the Centaur Stakes (G3) Sept. 10, the feature race on opening weekend at Hanshin which is a 1,200-meter (approximately six furlongs) turf race for 3-year-olds and up.
Star horses ready for autumn targets
Equinox , the reigning Horse of the Year, spent the summer at Tenei Branch of Northern Farm and is trained for the Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo Nov. 26.
Do Deuce, who beat Equinox en route to the 2022 Japanese Derby (G1), is trained for the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1) at Tokyo Oct. 29, It is expected he will meet with Stars On Earth, winner of the 2022 Japanese Oaks (G1), in the Tenno Sho Autumn.
Meanwhile, Liberty Island, winner of the Oka Sho (G1) and Yushun Himba (G1) this spring, goes straight to the Shuka Sho (G1) at Kyoto Oct. 15 and tries to complete the Triple Tiara for 3-year-old fillies.
