G1 – 1600m – Turf
Horse Racing
Season
Yasuda Kinen – Form Comments
| 1 | Keiai Nautique | Winner of 2018 G1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo. Has best 5th in 5 starts since, all at graded level. Tends to run midfield. Not promising in this company. |
| 2 | Aerolithe | Likely popular pick. Runner-up this race in 2018. Tends to lead or run on pace. Raced predominately in 1600-1800m range. Returned after 3 1/2-month layoff for 5th in G1 Victoria Mile on 12 May. Improvement expected. Best results on firm turf. |
| 3 | Sakura Empereur | 8-year-old normally raced at 2000m and up, being given first mile. Has good late speed and can run over any going. Never won at Tokyo. Could surprise. |
| 4 | Sungrazer | Drawn wide and finished 5th in this race last year. Raced over 2000m in last 4 starts, returning to mile for first time since 2018 Yasuda Kinen. Has yet to win G1 but has finished competitively. Good late speed. Can race over any going. |
| 5 | Indy Champ | Taking on first G1. Raced nearly exclusively over mile. Has 4 wins at distance, 1 at Tokyo in G3 on 3 February. Finished 4th last out in G2 at Kyoto on 21 April. Tends to run midfield or slightly ahead. Has won over slightly heavy ground. |
| 6 | Guanciale | 7-year-old consistently finishes in money over mile. Finished 2nd last out in G2 at Kyoto on 21 April. First G1 race since May 2015. Runs close to pace. Won open-class mile at Tokyo last November but lacks kick. |
| 7 | Mozu Ascot | Winner of last year’s Yasuda Kinen, 7th in 2018 G1 Hong Kong Mile. Seventh in only start this year, a G2 at the mile on 21 April. Improvement expected. Can run from any position. Could surprise. |
| 8 | Stelvio | Winner of 2018 G1 Mile Championship at Kyoto. Finished last in G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) last out. Return to mile a plus. Proximity of track a plus for this Miho-based son of Lord Kanaloa. Has 2nd in G3 mile at Tokyo. Can run from any position. |
| 9 | Smart Odin | Chronically late out of the gate. Has won from 1400-2200m up to G2 level. Excellent late speed and extra distance a plus, but not promising in this company. |
| 10 | Fiano Romano | 5-year-old taking on first G1, after winning G3 mile at Nakayama last out on 30 March. Races close to pace. Has wins in 1400-1800m range, but none racing to left. Could surprise if pace is high. |
| 11 | Entscheiden | Had 3 straight wins over mile in upper-level conditions races, two of them at Tokyo, before moving to graded-stakes level in February. Missed break last out to finish 11th in Tokyo 1400m on 11 May after 2 1/2 months off. Can run from any pace. Good late speed. Could surprise if breaks well. |
| 12 | Lord Quest | Chronically late out of the gate. Finished 12th in Tokyo G2 over 1400m last out on 11 May. Has good late speed, but not expected to measure up here. |
| 13 | Persian Knight | Sixth in this last year after late break. Finished 5th in G1 Hong Kong Mile. Poor starter, but could do well if breaks well. Return to Tokyo a plus. |
| 14 | Almond Eye | Without a doubt, heavy favourite. On 7-race winning streak, including 5 G1s. First mile since April 2018, but has 3 wins at mile, including top level. Can race from any position. First race since returning from G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) win on 30 March. Looked good in track work on 22 May. Best results on firm turf but has won over slightly heavy ground. |
| 15 | Danon Premium | Seen as Almond Eye’s biggest rival. Is 6 wins for 7 starts, all wins at graded-level other than debut race. Three wins at distance, including one at Tokyo. Won last out in G2 mile at Kyoto on 21 April. |
| 16 | Logi Cry | Best two 3rds in last 5 starts. Won G3 over mile at Tokyo in October but failed in previous two G1 bids. Likely outclassed. |
Others
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