Tenno Sho at Tokyo Racecourse has wide-open field of 15

The Grade 1 autumn running of the Tenno Sho at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan is far different than the same race 12 months ago.

Last year, Equinox won the Tenno Sho as the heavy favorite in a Horse of the Year campaign.

This year, finding the winner of the $2.77 million Tenno Sho at 1 1/4 miles is a difficult venture. In a field of 15, arguments can be made on behalf of several runners, notably Bellagio Opera, Danon Beluga, Do Deuce, Justin Palace, Liberty Island, North Bridge, and Sol Oriens.

The Tenno Sho is the first start for Sol Oriens since a second in the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at 1 1/4 miles in June, a race in which Bellagio Opera was third. In March, Bellagio Opera won the Grade 1 Osaka Hai at 1 1/4 miles.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Two prominent runners have not raced since placing in Group 1 turf races in Dubai in March – Liberty Island, who was third in the Sheema Classic at 1 1/2 miles, and Danon Beluga, who was second in the Dubai Turf at 1 1/8 miles.

Liberty Island was the champion 3-year-old filly in Japan last year after sweeping the Triple Crown for fillies and finishing second to Equinox in the Grade 1 Japan Cup last November.

Of the runners with more recent form, North Bridge is capable of a win on the basis of a victory in a prep race in the Grade 2 Sapporo Kinen in August. North Bridge was third in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin in Hong Kong in April.

There are hints that Do Deuce and Justin Palace can produce a surprise. Do Deuce won the Grade 1 Arima Kinen last December, one of the country’s most prestigious races, but was sixth in the Takarazuka Kinen in his last out.

Justin Palace has not raced since a second a 10th in the Takarazuka Kinen, but was second in the 2023 autumn running of the Tenno Sho and fourth in the Sheema Classic in March.

The Tenno Sho has a post time of 2:40 a.m. Eastern or 11:40 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.