Japan: Almond Eye favored for repeat in autumn Tenno Sho

Almond Eye will be in a familiar position at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan on Sunday, a heavy favorite for the autumn running of the Grade 1 Tenno Sho at 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Last year, Almond Eye won her sixth Grade 1 or Group 1 race in the autumn Tenno Sho, her final win in a season that included a victory in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates.

Sunday, Almond Eye is part of a field of 12 in the $2.76 million Tenno Sho, which could serve as a prep for the Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on Nov. 29.

A 5-year-old mare, Almond Eye has not raced since a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen at a mile on June 7 in her second start of 2020. Almond Eye won the Grade 1 Victoria Mile for fillies and mares on May 17 at Tokyo.

She was given a rest at a farm during the summer. A nine-time winner, Almond Eye will have her 14th start in the Tenno Sho.

“I haven’t seen any change in her due to age,” trainer Sakae Kunieda told Japan Racing Association publicity earlier this week. “I do feel that she is more laid-back about things now, and that is reflected in her condition a bit as well.

“In the Yasuda Kinen, the competition was strong and though she lost I think she really gave it her best.”

The Tenno Sho field includes the 4-year-old filly Chrono Genesis, who won the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at 1 3/8 miles on June 28 at Hanshin Racecourse; Fierement, who won the spring running of the Grade 1 Tenno Sho at two miles on May 3 at Kyoto in his most recent start; and Danon Premium, who was second to Almond Eye in the autumn running of the 2019 Tenno Sho but 13th in the Yasuda Kinen in June.