Japan: Do Deuce looks for another Grade 1 win in Takarazuka Kinen

In each of his completed seasons, Do Deuce has won a Grade 1 race in Japan.

The collection of major titles includes the Asahi Hai Futurity at 2 in 2021, the 2022 Japanese Derby, and the Arima Kinen last December.

Do Deuce can add another Grade 1 win to his career achievements if he performs to expectations in Sunday’s $2.65 million Takarazuka Kinen at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Kyoto Racecourse.

The Takarazuka Kinen is the final Grade 1 race in the first half of the year in Japan. The next Grade 1 race, the Sprinters Stakes, will be run in late September.

The Takarazuka Kinen is a Breeders' Cup Win and You're In race, offering a fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Do Deuce, a 5-year-old who has won 6 of 13 starts, has raced once this year, finishing fifth of 16 by 2 1/4 lengths in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at 1 1/8 miles at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates. Do Deuce did not have a clear path in the final furlong and missed third by 1 1/2 lengths.

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In the Takarazuka Kinen, Do Deuce will be favored in a field of 13 that includes Bellagio Opera, Justin Palace, and Blow the Horn.

Bellagio Opera, fourth in the 2023 Japanese Derby, won the Grade 1 Osaka Hai at 1 1/4 miles on turf on March 31 at Hanshin Racecourse in his most recent start. He tends to run from slightly off the pace, while Do Deuce is more of a closer from farther back.

Justin Palace was third in the 2023 Takarazuka Kinen. A closer, Justin Palace was later fourth in the Arima Kinen last December, and fourth in the Grade 1 Sheema Classic at 1 1/2 miles on turf in Dubai in March in his most recent start. He won the Grade 1 spring running of the Tenno Sho at two miles in Japan in April 2023.

Blow the Horn is another well-regarded stayer who was second in this year’s spring running of the Tenno Sho at Kyoto in April in his Grade 1 debut. A win here would be an upset for Blow the Horn.

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

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