From HP barn notes.....
JAPANESE QUARTET TO SHIP FOR TWO RICH FEMALE RACES
Japan, a dominant force in the American Oaks and CashCall Mile at Hollywood Park, will again be well represented this year.
Robe Decollete, winner of the Japanese Oaks, will be flown to California on June 25 for the $750,000 American Oaks on July 7. She will be accompanied by three aspirants in the $1-million CashCall Mile on July 6: Koiuta, Kiss To Heaven and Dia De La Novia.
Japan sandwiched an American Oaks victory by Cesario in 2005 between runner-up finishes by Dance in the Mood in 2004 and Asahi Rising in 2006. Dance in the Mood returned to win the CashCall Mile last year.
Yuichi Fukunaga, who rode Cesario, has taken the call in the Grade I American Oaks at 1 ¼ miles on turf for trainer Shikegi Matsumoto. Robe Decollete is an American-bred daughter of Cozzene.
Dia De La Novia is owned by Carrot Farm and trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, the same connections as Cesario. Kiss To Heaven is owned by Kazuko Yoshida, a member of a prominent breeding family. Koiuta is owned by a famous Japanese singer, Maekawa Kikaku.
Anamato, the first Australian representative in the American Oaks, is scheduled to arrive from Australia Sunday night with groom Susan Kerr. John Connell, assistant to trainer David Hayes, is scheduled to arrive later this week to supervise the Australasian Oaks winner.
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