Vivlos can end Japan skid in Takarazuka Kinen

The $6 million Dubai Turf at Meydan Racecourse in March has defined the career of Vivlos the last few years. Vivlos won the Group 1 Dubai Turf in 2017 and was second in the same race a few months ago.

Vivlos is based in Japan, where the 5-year-old mare is winless in four starts since the Grade 1 Shuka Sho in October 2016. On Sunday, Vivlos appears well positioned to end the drought in the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Hanshin Racecourse.

The $2,644,357 Takarazuka Kinen is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering a fees-paid berth for the winner to the BC Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3. The Takarazuka Kinen winner would also be considered a logical candidate for the Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on Nov. 25.

Vivlos is part of a field of 16 that will lack a heavy favorite. Satono Diamond, who won the Grade 1 Ari-ma Kinen in December 2016, can rebound from a series of losses that includes a 15th-place finish in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly, France, last October, and a seventh in the Group 1 Osaka Hai in Japan in April.

Kiseki, who won the Grade 1 Japanese St. Leger last October, is in a similar situation, winless in his last two starts. Kiseki was ninth as the favorite in the Grade 2 Nikkei Sho at Nakayama Racecourse in March, his only start this year.

The field has one shipper in the Hong Kong-based Werther, who is trained by John Moore. Werther won the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong last November, but is winless in his last four starts.