Japan: Chrono Genesis heads field in Takarazuka Kinen

The Japanese older mare Chrono Genesis has been raced sparingly in the last year. It is usually worth the wait.

This year, Chrono Genesis has had one start, finishing second by a neck to Mishriff in the Group 1 Sheema Classic in Dubai in March. Mishriff won the $20 million Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia in February.

Chrono Genesis, 5, had five starts in Japan in 2019 and 2020, winning three Grade 1 races in that span.

Sunday, Chrono Genesis will have her first start of the year in Japan in the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Hanshin Racecourse, a race she won in 2020.

:: Click here for free PPs for the Hanshin Racecourse card

Trained by Takashi Saito for Sunday Racing Co. Ltd., Chrono Genesis is likely to be around even-money against 12 rivals in the $2.61 million Takarazuka Kinen. The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

Chrono Genesis had only two starts in the second half of 2020, finishing third in the Grade 1 autumn running of the Tenno Sho at 1 1/4 miles at Tokyo Racecourse in November. She ended the year with a win in the Grade 1 Arima Kinen at 1 9/16 miles at Nakayama Racecourse in late December.

Jockey Yuichi Kitamura rode Chrono Genesis in recent starts, but is sidelined with an injury. Christophe Lemaire, the leading rider at Japan Racing Association tracks, has the mount in the Takarazuka Kinen.

The field is determined by a fan ballot, and Chrono Genesis led the polling with more than 137,000 votes. Aside from Chrono Genesis, fillies and mares will dominate the betting.

The undefeated 4-year-old filly Lei Papale won her Grade 1 debut in the Osaka Hai at 1 1/4 miles in an 11-1 upset on April 4 at Hanshin Racecourse. A six-time winner, Lei Papale is quick enough to lead.

:: Join DRF Bets and play the races with a $250 First Deposit Bonus. Click to learn more.

The 5-year-old mare Curren Bouquetd’or was third in the Grade 1 spring running of the Tenno Sho at two miles on May 2 at Hanshin Racecourse and will attract some support.

The leading male in the race is Aristoteles, a 4-year-old colt who won the Group 2 American Jockey Club Stakes at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Nakayama Racecourse in January and was fourth in the spring running of the Tenno Sho.

The Takarazuka Kinen has a post time of 2:40 a.m. Eastern on Sunday, or 11:40 a.m. Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.