Japan starts international bonus plan

The Japan Racing Association has announced a bonus plan that would award the winners of either the Japan Cup or the Japan Cup Dirt up to $1 million if they can precede that victory with a score this year in any one of 19 selected races.

If a horse wins the Breeders' Cup Turf, French Derby, Epsom Derby, Irish Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, or Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, his owner will receive a $1 million bonus for winning the $4 million Japan Cup at Tokyo on Nov. 30. If a horse who finished second in any of those races wins the Japan Cup, his owner will receive $544,000. A horse who wins the Arlington Million, Canadian International, Irish Champion Stakes, Grosser Preis von Baden, or Cox Plate would claim $837,000 for winning the Japan Cup.

In the case of the $2.1 million Japan Cup Dirt, to be run at Tokyo on Nov. 29, the $1 million/$544,000 bonus applies to winners of the Breeders' Cup Classic, Kentucky Derby, and Dubai World Cup. Winners of the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup, Whitney Handicap, Pacific Classic, or Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Japan Cup Dirt would receive $837,000.