New bonus in Japan

The Japan Racing Association is offering a bonus of $1.13 million to a horse who wins this year's Japan Cup or Japan Cup Dirt if that horse has already won one of several other major international races.

The bonus for a Japan Cup victory would go to this year's winners of the Dubai World Cup, the Arc, the Breeders' Cup Turf or Classic, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, the English Derby, Irish Derby, French Derby, or Takarazuka Kinen. The Japan Cup Dirt bonus applies to this year's winners of the World Cup, Kentucky Derby, Preakness, or Belmont Stakes.

In addition, a horse who has won the Arlington Million, the Canadian International, the Cox Plate, Irish Champion Stakes, or the Grosser Preis von Baden and follows with a Japan Cup victory would earn a bonus of $869,000. A horse adding a Japan Cup Dirt triumph to this year's Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup, Pacific Classic, Whitney Handicap, Woodward Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup, or Travers would also collect $869,000.

Thus, Electrocutionist, Hurricane Run, Sir Percy, Dylan Thomas, Darsi, Deep Impact, and The Tin Man are eligible for the Japan Cup bonuses. Electrocutionist, Bernardini, Jazil, Lava Man, and Invasor qualify for the Japan Cup Dirt bonuses.

The 1 5/16-mile, $2.4 million Japan Cup Dirt will be run on Nov. 25, with the 1 1/2-mile, $4.6 million Japan Cup scheduled for the following day, both at Tokyo racecourse.