Danon Smash, Tower of London square off in Sprinters' Stakes

The five-time stakes winners Danon Smash and Tower of London can win the first Grade 1 race of their career in what looks to be a competitive running of the $2.2 million Sprinters’ Stakes at six furlongs on turf at Nakayama Racecourse in Japan on Sunday.

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Danon Smash is likely to go favored. Trained by Takayuki Yasuda, the 4-year-old Danon Smash won the Grade 3 Keeneland Cup at six furlongs at Sapporo on Aug. 28. He was fourth in the Grade 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at six furlongs on turf at Chukyo Racecourse in March behind Mr Melody.

A Kentucky-bred, Mr Melody was eighth in his only subsequent start, the Grade 2 Sankei Sho Centaur Cup at six furlongs on turf at Hanshin on Sept. 8, finishing behind Tower of London. Mr Melody is part of a field of 16 in the Sprinters’ Stakes.

Tower of London, a 4-year-old colt trained by Kasuo Fujisawa, has won three Grade 2 races in his career.