Japan: Three choices in Autumn Tenno Sho return off layoffs
Masquerade Ball, Meisho Tabaru, and Tastiera are the comeback boys in Sunday’s Grade 1 autumn running of the Tenno Sho at 1 1/4 miles at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan.
Masquerade Ball has not raced since a second-place finish by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 1 Japanese Derby at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo on June 1.
Meisho Tabaru, a 4-year-old colt, won the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at 1 3/8 miles at Hanshin Racecourse on June 15 in his latest appearance. He is expected to take his customary position at the front.
Tastiera has not started since a win in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on April 27.
Masquerade Ball, Meisho Tabaru, and Tastiera are three of 14 starters in the $3.72 million Tenno Sho, a key prep race for the Grade 1 Japan Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo on Nov. 30.
There are two races named Tenno Sho on the Japanese stakes calendar. A two-mile race with that name is run in the spring.
Sunday’s Tenno Sho is Masquerade Ball’s first start at 1 1/4 miles since he finished third behind Museum Mile in the Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas in April.
Museum Mile, sixth in the Japanese Derby, is part of the Tenno Sho field and merits attention based on a win in the Grade 2 Asahi Hai St. Lite Kinen at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Nakayama on Sept. 15.
Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile are the only 3-year-olds in the Tenno Sho field.
The 5-year-old horse Tastiera was second in the 2024 autumn running of the Tenno Sho. Tastiera was a Grade 2 winner at 1 1/4 miles in Japan in March 2023 and won the Japanese Derby in May of that year.
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