i like a Queen exacta. Mikki Queen over Queens Ring. i don't think Lets Go Donki will get away with an easy lead this time.

something that probably fascinates only me: the daddys of the sire and dam of Rouge Buck are Breeders Cup Classic winners (Sunday Silence and Awesome Again) :)

Hope you cashed, SS... nice pick with MIkki Queen!

PPs, Tokyo Yushun...

http://japanracing.jp/_news2015/pdf/150521.pdf

so who do you like? :)

the top 3 from the Satsuka Sho are back plus a few "new shooters" like Reve Mistral and Satono Rasen look interesting. Duramente looks tough but i think Real Steel turns the tables this time.

really nice win by Duramente. He looks like the real deal.

That was awesome.

So I am starting to look at the Yasuda Kinen and am liking - in no particular order - Vincennes, Keiai Elegant and Sakura Gospel. Fluky looks like the wild card. Will have to check the weather for Fiero. Ah well, plenty of time left.

Tokyo and Chukyo are the only counterclockwise tracks, correct?

Who are you looking at, SS? Anyone?

i don't know. i'll throw 3 names out there - Real Impact, Red Arion and Vincennes.

good luck ;)

It bothers me that I want to like Red Arion here and don't! Good luck to you too.

Barrier draw...

http://japanracing.jp/_news2015/150605.html

In reading the comments from connections I am suddenly curious as to how, in the case of Blaze a Trail, such questions are worded.

He's very pretty any way. :p They sound like they aren't quite sure what to make of him!

Maybe it's me. Maybe I need to sleep and to stop worrying abut this race. :D My newest question mark is Satono Gallant BUT I will likely stick with one of the three I already mentioned.

The morning line...

http://japanracing.jp/_news2015/pdf/150606.pdf

Just had a chance to look at the Yasuda Kinen...

While I do like the ever improving Vincennes, she's way too short for my liking. Will use, but am taking stabs with Satono Gallant and Extra End. Think the pace will be hot and suit.

Maurice wins, followed by Vincennes and Clarente. Reassuring to know I tossed two of the top 3. :D :rolleyes:

Replay...

http://web-cache.stream.ne.jp/web/jr...503050211&ua=4

Full order of finish...

http://japanracing.jp/_news2015/pdf/150607.pdf

it was a nice try by Vincennes. Maurice was just too good. the Takarazuka Kinen (June 28) is the next grade 1 then there's not another grade 1 until October.

I still get chills watching this one (and oh how it makes me miss both Eye Popper and good old Lincoln).

Some field with those two AND Hat Trick, Daiwa Major, Balance of Game, Company, Cosmo Bulk et al, wasn't it? :cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXRM_BJveHw

:) oh yeah. that move he made on the turn was electrifying!

after watching that video, youtube starts playing the 2015 Belmont :p

Early pp's for the Takarazuka Kinen (!!!) @ Hanshin on the 28th...

http://japanracing.jp/_news2015/pdf/150617.pdf

Vincennes withdrawn... too early for picks but I'm hoping that One and Only (my insanely early Japan Cup prediction pick) runs a good one and, for some nonsensical reason, I have had Toho Jackal in my head for the past 24 hours (no not literally :p ).

Looking like a fantastic field... can't wait.

Barrier draw...

http://japanracing.jp/_news2015/150626.html

Am wondering if they ask the connections for the worst possible comments...

Talk about brimming with confidence!

Ocean Blue (7yo, horse)
Yasutoshi Ikee (trainer)

“Never mind how he worked, he’s got so many issues back at the stable that he can’t condition himself.”

Okaaay.

it's funny cuz i was going to comment on Ocean Blue. his last 5 starts: 15th, 16th, 16th, 12th and 12th. all grade 1s and 2s. have they ever heard of class drop??? gee wiz.

:(
Paca Paca Farm ‏@PacaPacaFarm · 1m1 minute ago
Fractures in both forelegs will force Derby winner Duramente(King Kamehameha) to sit out rest of '15 Recovery in 6mo, will resume training

Oh man, that's terrible news. Very disappointing.

Yeah such a shame. Devastating news.

So are you picking Toho Jackal? I think he has a shot. I think Tosen Stardom is likely to be in the money but probably won't win. Lachesis or Gold Ship look like the most likely to win.

No, since he hasn't run against older horses yet I just think this field is too much for him.

Am now stuck between my Japan Cup boy, One and Only (even if he does not quite fit the profile of the winnah), and Lovely Day.

They should both be around 15/1 by post time so not quite sure how to play it but will do something small with one or the other and leave it at that.

Good luck to you! It's a great field, isn't it? :)

M/l...

http://japanracing.jp/_news2015/pdf/150627.pdf

Did a tiny saver on Lovely Day. :)

Jun. 27, 2015 04:34 PM BC82B61170B2 Online Gaming Japan 11 $5.00 WN 16 $5.00 $123.75

Congrats! Not a Lovely Day for Gold Ship. What a disaster at the start.

Nice, MMSC! I had 6 and 16 in the five that I used but not on top :(

Not sure what the guidelines over there are but I wonder how much blame should be placed on the starter. Gold Ship clearly reared and even though he was somewhat back on all fours wasn't settled when the gates opened just a second or two later...

Thanks Kitan and SS and yeah... disastrous start for Gold Ship.

How great was that seeing Denim and Ruby back to her awesome self?!

Very happy seeing Lovely Day getting a G1. :)

Great article about the Takarazuka Kinen and Gold Ship...

http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/n...ws20150703.asp