Two from U.S. land in Japan

Interpatation and Just as Well, two of the three American-trained horses who will be running in the $5.9 million Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on Nov. 29, arrived in Japan at Narita International Airport near Tokyo in good order on Monday. After a 17-hour journey from New York with a stopover in Anchorage, the two horses were transported to the Japan Racing Association Horseracing School Quarantine Center in Shiroi, about 40 miles from Tokyo Racecourse.

The two will remain in quarantine at Shiroi, which is equipped with a seven-furlong dirt training track, until next Wednesday, when they move to Tokyo Racecourse.

"No problems at all with transportation" said Robert Sigoulin, the assistant to Interpatation's trainer Robert Barbara who accompanied the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic winner on his trip. "He won't go to the track [Tuesday], but will just walk around the stable area. We'll pick up the pace of his training each day." Interpatation concluded the American portion of his training schedule with a 1:01.12 breeze on the Belmont training track on Monday, Nov. 9.

As for the Northern Dancer Stakes winner, Just as Well, "The horse is relaxed after the trip, in great shape," reported Barry Wiseman, assistant to trainer Jonathan Sheppard. A half-brother to 2008 European juvenile filly champion Rainbow View, Just as Well had worked six furlongs in 1:13.40 breezing at Fair Hill on Saturday before leaving for Japan.

The third American horse in the 1 1/2-mile Japan Cup, the Neil Drysdale-trained Marsh Side, was scheduled to leave for Japan from Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday.