Chrono Genesis, Contra Check meet in Japanese Oaks

Chrono Genesis, third in the Japanese 1000 Guineas on April 7, and Contra Check, the winner of the Grade 3 Flower Cup in March, are the leading contenders in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese Oaks at Tokyo Racecourse, a classic race that lacks a standout in a field of 18.

Chrono Genesis and Contra Check have each won 3 of 5 starts in their careers. Chrono Genesis was a Grade 3 winner at a mile at Tokyo on Feb. 11 in her first start of the year.

The Japanese Oaks, formally known as the Yushin Himba, is run at 1 1/2 miles on turf and will be a stamina test for Chrono Genesis, who has never run beyond 1 1/8 miles.

Contra Check, who has won three of her last four starts, faces a similar situation regarding stamina. The Flower Cup was run at 1 1/8 miles, her longest start.

Loves You Only and Danon Fantasy have solid credentials. Loves You Only is unbeaten in three starts and will have her graded stakes debut in the Japanese Oaks. She won a minor stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Hanshin Racecourse on April 7.

Danon Fantasy, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2018 in Japan, was fourth in the 1000 Guineas, her second loss in six starts. Danon Fantasy won the Grade 2 Tulip Sho at a mile March 2.