U.S. tops Japan nominees

The United States leads the way in foreign nominees for both the Japan Cup and the Japan Cup Dirt. The Japan Racing Association announced Friday that 24 of the 49 foreign-based horses named to the $4.32 million Japan Cup are trained in America, as are 18 of the 25 foreign nominees to the $2.25 million Japan Cup Dirt.

The Japan Cup, a 1 1/2-mile turf contest to be run on Nov. 30 in Tokyo, has attracted the attention of both Falbrav and Sarafan, who duked it out to the finish in last year's controversial running. Among the Americans showing interest are Breeders' Cup Turf pre-entries Balto Star, Deeliteful Irving, Storming Home, and The Tin Man as well as defending Canadian International champ Ballingarry. European Breeders' Cup entries Sulamani, High Chaparral, Islington, and Yesterday join Arc runner-up Mubtaker and Ange Gabriel.

The defending Breeders' Cup Classic champ, Volponi, has been named to the Japan Cup as well as the Japan Cup Dirt, a 1 5/16-mile event to be run on Nov. 29. He could be joined by Classic pre-entries Dynever, Evening Attire, Medaglia d'Oro, Perfect Drift, Pleasantly Perfect, and Hold That Tiger.

Among the numerous bonus schemes connected to the two races are a $1 million award to any horse who wins both the Breeders' Cup Turf and the Japan Cup. The same bonus will apply to any horse who wins both the Breeders' Cup Classic and the Japan Cup Dirt.