Japan’s racing year is coming to an end with a brilliant Christmas Day as Japan Cup (G1) winners Vela Azul will be looking for another top level win in Arima Kinen (G1).
Arima Kinen, along with Takarazuka Kinen (G1), allows fans to vote for the horses they want to see compete at 2,500 meters (about 12 1/2 miles). This year, their wishes are granted with things like Owner , Efforia, fecesand children Geraldina set to queue.
However, many eyes will be on Vela Azul, the 5-year-old son of Eishin Flash who had the first 19 starts produced only three wins, all in unannounced races. The situation suddenly changed when Vela Azul was transferred from grass to grass this year. He won his first start on the lawn, finished third in the next two, and then won both the June Shares at Tokyo Racecourse and the Kyoto Daishoten at Hanshin in October.
By the time he lined up for the Japan Cup on November 27, astute Japanese fans had caught up and made him the third favorite. He overcame traffic problems to win the nation’s iconic race.
Ryan Moore rode Vela Azul to win the Japan Cup but Kohei Matsuyama, who participated in the victory at the Kyoto Daishoten, was back with Arima Kinen. They will start from gate 6 on the 16 horse field.
“The Japan Cup is a tough race,” said Kunihiko Watanabe, coach of Vela Azul. “But he did a great job winning the game when he got back on the field. In the end, the draw and the track that he did went well. I think it was a really learned race. of him having raced before on dirt.”
Watanabe said Vela Azul showed no signs of ill health following the attempt. If he wins on Sunday, Vela Azul will be the first horse since Deep impact in 2006 to win the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen in the same year.
Despite the ascension of Vela Azul, Titleholder, the 4-year-old son of stiffness , was voted #1 as fans forgive him for finishing 11th in his most recent start — the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1). To the disappointment attributed to that unfavorable ground, he defeated both Takarazuka Kinen and Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1).
Owner wins Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin Racecourse
Titleholder coach Toru Kurita said: “He is making progress slowly but surely. “This year there are strong 3-year-olds and Efforia should try again. It’s a scary squad. Me and my staff did everything we could to get him ready to give a great performance. well-deserved performance. Then it all comes down to the rider.”
Efforia, 4 years old by epiphany , won the 2021 Arima Kinen. It was his sixth win in seven starts — a one-second loss in Tokyo Yushun (Japan Derby, G1). That’s good news for his supporters. The bad news is his 2022 record: ninth in Osaka Hai (G1) April 3 and sixth in Takarazuka Kinen June 26.
The younger generation is represented mainly by Equinox, a 3-year-old by black kitisan. He’s only had five starts recorded but three of those were wins, including Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) on his previous outing and two seconds, including Tokyo Yushun .
Equinox after victory in Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo Racecourse
The Japanese racing royal family is represented by Geraldina. 4-year-old girl 6 times won first prize in grade 1 Maurice out of seven wins in grade 1 Gentildonna . Despite the green blood, Geraldina was slow. After finishing seventh in the 2020 Juvenile Hanshin (G1) competition, she was relegated to the lower levels of competition until this year.
Given another chance, she won the Sankei Sho All Comers (G2) at Nakayama Racecourse on September 25 and then won the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) at Hanshin on November 13. In the following tournament, she topped a class field that included the next Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1) winner win Marilyn.
Deep linking also returned from the Arc where he placed 18th. He is second to Efforia in the 2021 Armina Kinen after showing in 14th place in the Arc.
In comparison with other people: Boldog Hos (JPN)a 3 year old child due to Screen Hero was last seen runner-up at Kikuka Sho (Japan St. Leger, G1); Justin’s Palace, a Deep Impact dark horse, second in 2021 Hopeful Stakes (G1) and third in Kikuka Sho; and Farewell‘s 4-year-old son novelistplaced second behind Vela Azul in the June Bet and have won both games since.
The race begins at the outer end of the vast Nakayama Racecourse layout, proceeds right-handed across the ramp and loops around the inner ring for a second pass in front of the stands.
