Japan: Trovatore searches for better fortune in this year’s Yasuda Kinen
For the second consecutive year, Trovatore starts in the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen for turf milers in Japan on a two-race winning streak in Grade 3 races at Tokyo Racecourse
Last year, Trovatore had a rough outing in the Yasuda Kinen, failing to settle and finishing 17th of 18.
This year, the outlook is more optimistic. Trovatore is rated as one of the primary contenders in the $2.16 million race at Tokyo Racecourse. Trovatore won the Grade 3 Shimbun Hai at a mile in February, and the Grade 3 Epsom Cup at 1 1/8 miles on May 9.
In both races, Trovatore closed from well off the pace. A similar trip may be the 5-year-old horse’s only chance to win the Yasuda Kinen. Trovatore, who will be ridden by Christophe Lemaire, drew the outside post in a field of 17.
“He’s better mentally, and Christophe Lemaire has advised well about the horse,” trainer Yuichi Shikato told Japan Racing Association publicity. “With these things in mind, I think he can run better than he did last year.”
Trovatore has won 8 of 16 starts and 3 of 6 starts at Tokyo Racecourse, an enviable record compared to two other highly-rated runners in Gaia Force and Seiun Hades.
Gaia Force, who has one win in five career starts at Tokyo Racecourse, was second by 1 122 lengths in the 2025 Yasuda Kinen, his third appearance in the race.
Gaia Force was fourth in the Yasuda Kinen in 2023 and 2024.
Last October, Gaia Force won the Grade 2 Fuji Stakes at a mile at Tokyo.
In his lone start this year, Gaia Force was sixth of 11 in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at 1 1/8 miles in Dubai on March 28.
Seiun Hades, a winner of 5 of 18 starts, was fifth of 15 in the Grade 1 Osaka Hai at 1 1/4 miles at Hanshin Racecourse on April 5 as a 63-1 outsider. This is his first start at a mile since February 2022 as a 3-year-old.
Seiun Hades won the Grade 3 Epsom Cup at 1 1/8 miles at Tokyo in May 2025, but has lost his last four starts at distances ranging from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/2 miles.
The winner of the Yasuda Kinen receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 31.
Post time for the Yasuda Kinen is 2:40 a.m. Eastern on Sunday or 11:40 p.m. Pacific on Saturday.
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