The Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan on Sunday has drawn such a strong field that Efforia, the country’s 2021 Horse of the Year, could easily be overshadowed by recent Grade 1 and Group 1 winners Panthalassa, Potager, and Titleholder.

Add other runners such as Authority, Deep Bond, and Stay Foolish, and Efforia will need a top-level performance to win the $2.85 million Takarazuka Kinen at 1 3/8 miles. The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on Nov. 5.

She has the least experience in a field of 10. She is a 3-year-old filly racing against older males, and she drew the outside post.

It would seem conditions would be against Royal Dress in a five-furlong handicap at tiny Donald Racecourse in Australia on Sunday. But Royal Dress has recent form that indicates she can overcame her lack of racing, and what seems to be a tough draw, to win for the third time in her fifth start.

Paul Lally:

R1 6-2-3-13

R2 3-11-1-2

R3 3-2-9-8

R4 5-1-10-3

R5 11-5-3-6

R6 4-2-5-11

R7 1-5-13-12

R8 1-12-10-3

R9 6-9-3-8

R10 11-1-6-2

Best Bet R7 N1 Copartner Elites

Longshot R5 N11 Vukan

Play R7 QQP 1-5-13

Andrew Le Jeune:

R1: 2-3-6-1

R2: 3-4-1-11

R3: 2-3-5-1

R4: 12-9-5-11

R5: 1-5-3-6

R6: 4-1-2-11

R7: 5-1-12-13

R8: 9-10-1-8

R9: 6-9-8-3

R10: 4-9-1-6

From wins in a $710,000 sales progeny stakes in January to a Group 1 last month, the quick Australian mare Snapdancer is in the midst of her best season this year.

The victories have come at six and 6 1/2 furlongs, which makes her presence in Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara Stakes at seven furlongs at Eagle Farm Racecourse more of a test.

Snapdancer, trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, has won 6 of 18 starts in her career, but is winless in four starts at seven furlongs.

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Saturday, June 25, 2022)

In the last year, Fanmalia has had a disrupted campaign in Australia that consisted of a six-month layoff in the second half of 2021, a win in his comeback, and five losses this year.

A few of the recent losses have been close, giving Fanmalia a chance for a fifth career win in his 20th start in a one-mile handicap at Tamworth Racecourse on Friday.

Slightly more than three weeks after an impressive debut, Irememberwhen will face winners for the first time in a five-furlong handicap at Moe Racecourse in Australia.

Post positions in a full field of 13 appears to favor Irememberwhen over his principal, and more experienced, rival Smytzer.

Vince Gabbert, who has served in a variety of top management positions at Keeneland for the past 14 years, has resigned from the racing and sales company to focus on the professional soccer team that he has helped launch in Lexington, according to Keeneland.

Gabbert was first hired by Keeneland in 2009 as the company’s vice president and chief operating officer. He was later given the title of vice president of strategic initiatives and legislative affairs and guided Keeneland’s lobbying activities.

Paul Lally:

R1 3-7-1-4
R2 7-1-11-5
R3 1-8-5-10
R4 2-9-1-8
R5 11-5-7-2
R6 2-1-6-4
R7 1-3-5-12
R8 1-4-7-9
R9 5-10-7-1

Best Bet R4 N2 Pleasant Endeavour
Longshot R3 N1 Circuit Seven
Play Race4 QQP 1-2-9

Andrew Le Jeune:

R1: 7-1-11-3
R2: 1-7-11-2
R3: 8-1-5-3
R4: 5-2-9-3
R5: 8-5-12-10
R6: 6-4-2-9
R7: 3-6-1-5
R8: 12-7-1-3
R9: 1-5-7-12

Best: R6 N6 Vamos
Each/way: R5 N8 Baron Zee
Play: R6 Q/QP # 2-4-6

Tom Wood:

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, June 22, 2022)