Lynx Tip was beaten 2 1/2 lengths in the Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas at a mile at Hanshin Racecourse on April 13, closing from last of 18 to finish behind two highly touted rivals in Arma Veloce and Embroidery. Lynx Tip ran out of ground late that day, but distance may not be a problem when she starts against those rivals, and 15 others, in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese Oaks at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo Racecourse. Of the 18 entrants, 17 are starting at the extended distance for the first time. The longshot Lesedrama was sixth in an allowance race at 1 1/2 miles at Tokyo in February, but she rebounded to win the Grade 3 Flower Cup at 1 1/8 miles at Nakayama Racecourse in March. Lynx Tip has won once in four starts, a maiden race at 1 1/8 miles at Kyoto last December, and will need a career-best performance to win the $2.31 million Japanese Oaks, which is formally known as the Yushun Himba. :: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for international racing, including Australia From a pedigree perspective, Lynx Tip is suited to the Japanese Oaks distance. Lynx Tip is by Kitasan Black, Japan’s Horse of the Year in 2016 and 2017 and a multiple Grade 1 winner at 1 1/2 miles and farther. Lynx Tip is out of Dance With Kitten, a Kentucky-bred mare and the dam of Dual Wielder, who was third in a Grade 2 in Japan at 1 1/2 miles in April 2024. As of Friday, Embroidery was the 5-2 favorite in early betting, closely followed by Arma Veloce (3-1) and Lynx Tip (7-2). The closer Embroidery has won 4 of 5 starts, including her debut in a maiden race at 1 1/8 miles at Niigata Racecourse last July. Arma Veloce, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2024 in Japan who also runs from off the pace, has won 2 of 4 starts. She won her debut in a race for first-time starters at 1 1/8 miles at Sapporo last August and clinched her title with a win in the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at a mile last December. The Japanese Oaks has a post time of 2:40 a.m. Eastern on Sunday. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.