Japan: Croix du Nord tops fan voting for Takarazuka Kinen
Already a two-time Grade 1 winner this spring, it is no surprise that Croix du Nord topped the fan balloting that partially determines the field for Sunday’s Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan.
The field for the $3.5 million Takarazuka Kinen at 1 3/8 miles is determined by a fan vote and money earnings. Croix du Nord, a 4-year-old colt who has won 7 of 10 starts, will be favored in a field of 18.
Earlier this year, Croix du Nord won the Grade 1 Osaka Hai at 1 1/4 miles at Hanshin in April, and the Grade 1 spring running of the Tenno Sho at two miles at Kyoto Racecourse on May 3.
Last year, Croix du Nord won the Japanese Derby, but was 14th in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris in October.
Trained by Takashi Saito, Croix du Nord is a closer who is ideally drawn in post 5 in the Takarazuka Kinen. His regular rider, Yuichi Kitamura, has the mount.
The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on Oct. 31, and the Group 1 Cox Plate in Australia. The Cox Plate will be run at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne this year while the race’s historic home, nearby Moonee Valley, undergoes renovation.
The Takarazuka Kinen field includes Meisho Tabura, who won the 2025 running of the Takarazuka Kinen, and was second by three-quarters of a length in the Osaka Hai, his first start this year. Meisho Tabura, winless in three starts since the 2025 Takarazuka Kinen, has a tough draw in post 16 on Sunday.
Danon Decile, winless in four starts since the Group 1 Sheema Classic in Dubai in March 2025, drew the inside post. Danon Decile was third by 1 3/4 lengths in the Osaka Hai, also his first start of the year.
Similar to Croix du Nord, Danon Decile runs from off the pace.
Post time for the Takarazuka Kinen is 2:40 a.m. Eastern on Sunday or 11:40 p.m. Pacific on Saturday.
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