2016 Sprinters Stakes victor Red Falx (JPN, H6, by Swept Overboard) has been consistent at 1,200 meters on turf, registering three wins and one third out of four starts, but has also proved useful up to a mile, having won the Keio Hai Spring Cup (G2, 1,400m) and third in the Yasuda Kinen (G1, 1,600m) following his third-place finish in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen this year. He will be attempting to defend his Sprinters Stakes title, coming off a four-month break but it should not be an issue as his victory in last year’s race was also following a three-month spell. He has won either coming from way behind or from further up in mid-division and landed three grade-race titles under Mirco Demuro. His rating 116M is as of his third-place finish in the Yasuda Kinen.

Seiun Kosei (JPN, C4, by Admire Moon) is this year’s winner of the Takamatsunomiya Kinen. Positioned near the leaders in his first G1 attempt, the Admire Moon (JPN, by End Sweep) colt responded well from an early move and landed his first grade-race victory at the highest level. Although his last start in the Hakodate Sprint Stakes (G3, 1,200m) resulted in fourth place, Seiun Kosei nevertheless demonstrated his tenacity in a race where he was positioned second behind an extremely rapid pace which covered the first three furlongs in 32.2 seconds, and while most of the front runners faded in the closing stages, the four-year-old chestnut held on gamely although out-finished by the first three. He has good speed to race close to the pace and outstanding strength to hold off his rivals when contested. He can run on fast ground but make best use of his power over softer ground. He is rated 117S as of his victory in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen.

Big Arthur (JPN, H6, by Sakura Bakushin O), after his victory in the 2016 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, came off another grade-race victory in the Centaur Stakes (G2, 1,200m) for the fall Sprinters Stakes in which he was sent to post heavy favorite but disappointed to 12th in the race, owing to a disadvantage at the stretch where he was completely blocked behind a wall of horses. So, while there is no questioning his ability as a G1 sprinter, there remains a concern as to whether he can perform to his best coming off a long break. He races close up front in his races and has won impressively, wire-to-wire, last year in the Centaur Stakes after covering the first half (three furlongs) in 33.1 seconds, so he could be a key runner in the coming race. His rating 117S is as of his victory Takamatsunomiya Kinen and the Centaur Stakes in 2016.

Facing the above proven G1 winners include those coming off the Centaur Stakes which has produced three Sprinters Stakes winners in the past five years.

Fine Needle (JPN, C4, by Admire Moon) captured his first grade-race title in the Centaur Stakes this year. While his break was nothing spectacular, his quick change of gear allowed him to secure a good position early then further increased his speed once entering the straight for the win. Five of his six career wins are at 1,200 meters and his best finishing time of 1:07.1 is second only to Big Arthur among this year’s field. If speed is to be a factor in the coming race, the Admire Moon colt has a good chance for his first G1 title, and though his rider will change from Mirco Demuro, he is in good hands under veteran Hiroyuki Uchida (currently sixth in the jockey standings). He is a front runner and rated 111S as of his win in the Centaur Stakes.

Dance Director (JPN, H7, by Aldebaran) won the Silk Road Stakes (G3, 1,200m) carrying top weights at 57.5kg in January, and was evaluated even higher after Seiun Kosei, who finished second to the Aldebaran (USA, by Mr. Prospector) entire with 55 kilos, subsequently won the Takamatsunomiya Kinen. His third-place finish following a seven-month break in the Centaur Stakes was also impressive as the seven-year-old bay closed in with great force along the outside to nearly reaching the leading two who had taken a much shorter route. He has good late charge that could mow down his rivals from mid-division or way behind, and he is expected to improve in his second start of the fall season. His rating of 112S is as of his victory in the Silk Road Stakes.

Melagrana (AUS, M5, by Fastnet Rock) is a big Australian-bred mare weighing over 500 kilos. She has had six starts since upgraded to open class among which she has won two and heavily beaten in three—all her defeats were over soft goings resulting from heavy rain. Her wins included the Ocean Stakes (G3, 1,200m) in March and her close finish when finishing fourth in the Centaur Stakes with the fastest finish over the last three furlongs (33.1 seconds) was also impressive. She has also proved well suited to the 1,200-meter track at Nakayama, having won all three starts, and as long as the track conditions stay firm, she has a good chance in finishing up front. She will be partnered by JRA’s current leader Keita Tosaki. She has a good finishing speed from mid-division and her rating of 106S is as of her victory in the Ocean Stakes.

Other notable runners include Let’s Go Donki (JPN, M5, by King Kamehameha) who finally captured her second grade-race title in the Kyoto Himba Stakes (G3, 1,400m) this year after struggling to find her winning form since her three-year-old filly classic victory in the 2015 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, G1, 1,600m). The King Kamehameha (JPN, by Kingmambo) mare was also outstanding when timing the fastest finish in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen and beating Red Falx for second place. However, despite sent to post third favorite in the following Victoria Mile (G1, 1,600m), she was overly keen during the trip and beaten to 11th. Comparing the outcome of the two G1 races this year, the sprint distance which flows at a much faster pace seems better suited to the keen and speedy mare. The five-year-old chestnut, who races in mid-field or further back, is rated at 109S as of her runner-up effort in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen.