Satono Diamond, Kitasan Black in Tenno Sho showdown

Satono Diamond has won his last four starts in Japan since September, a streak of victories exclusively in Grade 1 and Grade 2 stakes.

Kitasan Black has won three of his last four starts, including the Japan Cup last November. The lone loss during that span was a second by a neck to Satono Diamond in the Grade 1 Arima Kinen last December.

The two meet for the second time Sunday in the Grade 1 spring running of the Tenno Sho at two miles on turf at Kyoto Racecourse. The race may better define the rankings of Japan’s older horse division.

The $2.61 million Tenno Sho drew a field of 17 Japan-based runners. Satono Diamond, 4, is likely to be favored on the strength of his winning streak and career record of seven wins in nine starts. Satono Diamond won the Grade 2 Hanshin Diashoten at 1 7/8 miles on turf March 19 in his lone start this year.

Kitasan Black, 5, has won 9 of 15 starts, and won his first start of 2017 in the Grade 1 Osaka Hai at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Hanshin on April 2.

Cheval Grand is capable of threatening the two market leaders. Cheval Grand was third in the 2016 Japan Cup and second in the Hanshin Diashoten.

The unexposed runner is the 4-year-old Sciacchetra, who has won three of his last four starts in his six-race career. The Tenno Sho is the Grade 1 debut for Sciacchetra, who won the Grade 2 Nikkei Sho at 1 9/16 miles on turf at Nakayama Racecourse on March 25.