Late-runners dominate betting in bulky Victoria Mile

The last time the 5-year-old mare Namur raced in Japan, she beat males in the Grade 1 Mile Championship last November.

Since then, she has enhanced her international reputation, finishing third in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin last December, and second by a nose in the Group 1 Dubai Turf in the United Arab Emirates on March 30.

Those three races make Namur the favorite to win Sunday’s Grade 1 Victoria Mile for fillies and mares at Tokyo Racecourse. The $1.62 million Victoria Mile drew a field of 15. The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

A winner of 5 of 15 starts, Namur tends to run from off the pace, which could make traffic an issue in the Victoria Mile. Last year, Namur finished a troubled seventh in the race.

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On Sunday, Namur starts from post 10, which should help jockey Yutaka Take gain a stalking trip.

Namur may race near Masked Diva, a winner of 4 of 7 starts who also runs from off the pace. Masked Diva was second by a length to Liberty Island in the Grade 1 Shuka Sho for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles on turf last October in her final start of 2023.

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This year, Masked Diva has finished sixth of 16 as the favorite in a Grade 3 at a mile at Tokyo on Feb. 4, but rebounded to win a Grade 2 at a mile as the favorite at Hanshin on April 6.

Joao Moreira rode Masked Diva at Hanshin and retains the mount for the Victoria Mile.

Post time is 2:40 a.m. Eastern on Sunday or 11:40 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Namur and Masked Diva will dominate the betting. Umbrail, second in the Grade 1 NHK Mile for 3-year-olds last May, and second to Masked Diva at Hanshin, is capable of a top three finish.

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