Japan: Leadership of older horse division up for grabs in Arima Kinen

The older horse division in Japan needs a new leader following the recent retirement of Equinox, the superstar who won the Grade 1 Japan Cup in his farewell start last month.

Sunday’s Grade 1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama Racecourse will establish some ranking for the group as 2024 approaches. Finding the winner in a field of 16 in the $6.7 million Arima Kinen will not be easy, but the season-ending classic should be a dandy betting race.

Shahryar, third behind Auguste Rodin in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita, is the most familiar name in the lineup along with Tastiera, who won the Grade 1 Japanese Derby in May. More recently, Tastiera was second in the Grade 1 Japanese St. Leger in October, beating Sol Oriens, winner of the Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas in April who also is part of the Arima Kinen field.

Stars on Earth and Do Deuce, third and fourth in the Japan Cup on Nov. 26; and Justin Palace, second to Equinox in the Grade 1 autumn running of the Tenno Sho Stakes on Oct. 29, are others with excellent credentials.

The Arima Kinen, run at 1 9/16 miles, has a post time of 1:40 a.m. Eastern on Sunday, or 10:40 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Shahryar was beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Auguste Rodin in the BC Turf at 1 1/2 miles, closing from sixth in a field of 11. The BC Turf was Shahryar’s best result since a second in the 2022 Japan Cup, but extended a losing streak to six races since the Group 1 Sheema Classic in Dubai in March 2022.

In the Arima Kinen, Shahryar drew favorably in post 2, which should help his closing style.

The Arima Kinen is the first start against older horses for Tastiera and Sol Oriens, who should be able to handle the distance without difficulty.

Tastiera edged Sol Oriens by a head when they were first and second in the Japanese Derby at 1 1/2 miles.

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