Japan narrowly beats Crystal Ocean in Juddmonte International, earning a Breeders' Cup Classic berth

Japan, third in the English Derby in June, won the biggest race of his career in Wednesday’s Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York Racecourse in England, earning a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

Japan (5-1) prevailed by a head over 11-10 favorite Crystal Ocean after the pair ran together for the final 300 yards of the race at 1 5/16 miles on turf. The race was so close the margin seemed more like a long nose than a head.

Japan, ridden by Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O’Brien, took the lead in the final strides from Crystal Ocean, who was ridden by James Doyle for trainer Michael Stoute.

Crystal Ocean stalked the O’Brien-trained pacesetter Circus Maximus for a mile before taking the lead with less than a quarter-mile remaining. Circus Maximus faded to finish seventh in a field of nine.

The $1.28 million Juddmonte International was Japan’s first start against older horses. Owned by the Coolmore syndicate, Japan, by Galileo, has won 5 of 8 starts.

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The Juddmonte International was Japan’s third consecutive stakes win, preceded by the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris for 3-year-old colts and fillies at Saint-Cloud Racecourse in Paris on July 14.

O’Brien said races such as the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Sept. 14 and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Oct. 6 are goals for Japan.

Earlier on the Wednesday program at York, Logician remained unbeaten in four starts by winning his group stakes debut in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings at 1 1/2 miles. Trained by John Gosden, Logician could start in the Group 1 St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster on Sept. 14.

Nunthorpe: Ten Sovereigns favored

Ten Sovereigns, a 3-year-old trained by O’Brien for the Coolmore partners, will be favored to win his second consecutive Group 1 race against older sprinters in Friday’s $485,360 Nunthorpe Stakes at five furlongs at York.

The winner of the Nunthorpe Stakes receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

Ten Sovereigns was a disappointing fourth as the even-money favorite in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup for 3-year-old sprinters at Royal Ascot in June, but rebounded to win the Group 1 July Cup at six furlongs against older horses at Newmarket on July 13.

The Nunthorpe will be shortest career start for Ten Sovereigns, a colt by No Nay Never who has won 4 of 6 starts. Moore has the mount. Ten Sovereigns was 3-2 with bookmakers as of Wednesday morning over the 5-year-old Battaash, who was 9-4.

Battaash, fourth in the Nunthorpe the last two years, won the Group 2 King George Stakes at five furlongs at Goodwood Racecourse as the 1-4 favorite on Aug. 2. He was second to Blue Point in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at five furlongs on turf at Royal Ascot in June. Blue Point has since been retired to stud.

The most popular horse on Friday’s card is the veteran stayer Stradivarius, who will be a heavy favorite to win his ninth consecutive start in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at about two miles.

Trained by Gosden, Stradivarius won the Lonsdale Cup in 2018 to secure a bonus of approximately $1.2 million for sweeping four marathon races in the same year. He is eligible for the same bonus with a win on Friday against four rivals, including Dee Ex Bee.

Stradivarius and Dee Ex Bee were first and second by a neck in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup at two miles on July 30.