Japan; Liberty Island looks to prove she's best in Japanese Oaks
Regarding the current 3-year-old fillies in Japan, there is Liberty Island and the rest.
Liberty Island was the unanimous choice for champion 2-year-old filly of 2022 and began her current season with a win in the Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas at a mile at Hanshin Racecourse in April. She will be a strong favorite to win for the fourth time in her fifth start in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo Racecourse.
The distance is new for Liberty Island, and should be within her range.
By Duramente, Liberty Island is out of Yankee Rose, an Australian-bred mare who won the Group 1 Champion Stakes against 3-year-old males at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney in 2016 and was later third that year to the world-famous Winx in the Group 1 Cox Plate at the same distance at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne. The Cox Plate is Australia’s leading weight-for-age race.
Liberty Island, who will be ridden by Yuga Kawada for trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida, is part of a field of 18 in the $2.35 million Japanese Oaks. Kawada is likely to have Liberty Island in her customary position off the pace through the first mile.
Kona Coast, Perifania and Harper, second through fourth behind Liberty Island in the 1000 Guineas, are part of the Japanese Oaks field, a race formally known as the Yushin Himba.
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Perifania has had three starts, with the 1000 Guineas her only appearance in a Grade 1. She was third in the Group 2 Tulip Sho at a mile at Hanshin Racecourse in March, finishing behind Mozu Meimei and Kona Coast. Mozu Meimei is not part of the Japanese Oaks field.
Harper closed from sixth of 18 to finish 2 3/4 lengths behind Liberty Island in the 1000 Guineas.
The Japanese Oaks 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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