The 62nd Yasuda Kinen - Handicapper's Report on the Japanese Contenders

This year's Yasuda Kinen features two outstanding milers from Hong Kong-Glorious Days (AUS, G5, by Hussonet; rated 119M) who comes off a runner-up effort in the Champions Mile (G1, 1,600m) and Lucky Nine (IRE, G5, by Dubawi; 118S), winner of the 2011 Hong Kong Sprint (G1, 1,200m) in December and third-place finisher in the 2012 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1, AW, 1,200m) in March. Meanwhile, the opposing Japanese field, while consisting of a number of grade-race winners, lacks a dominant favorite that has proved to be a standout within the mile-distance category. Details on some that are considered to have a good chance in this race are as follows:

Pelusa

Beginning with those who have dropped back in distance, Pelusa (JPN, H5, by Zenno Rob Roy; 120I) is one of Japan's prominent middle-distance horses. He was runner-up to Buena Vista (JPN) in the 2010 Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1, 2,000m) and third behind Tosen Jordan (JPN) and Dark Shadow (JPN) in the same race last year. He was second in his only start this season, but the placing could have well been reversed with better pace and positioning. The issue with this horse is that he has never raced under 1,800 meters and, although proving well competitive against championship level, has in fact not scored a win in the past two years. He is well suited to Tokyo Racecourse, and if the drop in distance to a mile should work his way, the son of Zenno Rob Roy is considered the strongest candidate among the Japanese field.

Rose Kingdom

Rose Kingdom (JPN, H5, by King Kamehameha; 117L), who finished second in the 2010 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1, 2,400m) and won the 2010 Japan Cup (G1, 2,400m, promoted from second), is also dropping back in distance after being regularly used in middle distances during the past couple of seasons. However, he has a record of becoming a two-year-old champion in 2009, having claimed the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1,600m) and should put in a good performance if he adapts well to his first mile-race challenge in over two years.

Real Impact

Eishin Apollon

Key runners among those who have specialized in mile distances include Yasuda Kinen's defending champion Real Impact (JPN, C4, by Deep Impact; 116M) and Eishin Apollon (USA, H5, by Giant's Causeway, 118M) who claimed the Mile Championship (G1, 1,600m) last November. Both two G1 milers, however, were not up to form in their previous start, the Milers Cup (G2, 1,600m), resulting in their heavy defeat in the race.

Sadamu Patek

Other notable runners include Sadamu Patek (JPN, C4, by Fuji Kiseki, 112.M) who won the Keio Hai Spring Cup (G2, 1,400m), a step race towards the coming G1. The Fuji Kiseki colt, who was also a runner-up in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000m) as a three-year-old, claimed his first grade-race title over 1,400 meters by a comfortable 3/4-length margin and has the potentials to put his late speed into play for another victory this time.

Silport

Silport (JPN, H7, by White Muzzle; 113M) is the winner of the other step race, the Milers Cup. Although the mile course with its long uphill at Tokyo Racecourse is a challenge for this runaway front-runner, the ability to dictate the pace to his advantage and the tenacity to keep his foes at bay will be the key to another success.

Strong Return

Strong Return (JPN, H6, by Symboli Kris S; 115M) won the Keio Hai Spring Cup last year then followed up with a runner-up effort in the Yasuda Kinen. Although his career was hindered by leg injury during the latter half of the season, he comes off a close fourth in this year's Keio Hai Spring Cup, his comeback start since being sidelined in October, and can hope for improvement in his second start of the season. His late charge in the last Yasuda Kinen was impressive.

Apapane

Although Whale Capture (JPN, F4, by Kurofune), who won the Victoria Mile (G1, 1,600m) in May, will not be included in Yasuda's line-up, multiple-G1 winner, Apapane (JPN, M5, by King Kamehameha; 114L), is scheduled to start in a bid to bounce back from a disappointing fifth in her previous start in the Victoria Mile.

* Notes and Abbreviations
1. Weight: 1 pound = approximately 0.453 kg
2. Rating: Please add four pounds to the ratings because of weight allowances for fillies and mares, when comparing the ratings of fillies and mares to the ratings of colts, horses and geldings.
3. Abbreviations:
Gender and Sex: C = Colt (2-4 Y/O), H = Horse (5 Y/O & UP), G = Gelding, F = Filly (2-4 Y/O), M = Mare (5 Y/O & UP)