Japanese Racing Experience

[scanman]

Nice post/pics Kitan. Haven't been racing in Japan, yet, but am really looking forward to it. Someday!!!

[SundayStar]

they certainly love their horseracing in Japan. one thing i really appreciate about TVG is their coverage of Japanese racing. except for some reason they didn't show the Arima Kinen last weekend . Satono Diamond should be a force next year.

[Alabama Stakes]

Looks like a blast. probably easy to see over the other patrons heads too.

[ADJMK]

Great pics Kitan. I bet you feel like a big bettor when you step up and bet a win ticket for 1,100 yen($10)

[Pants II]

Great pics. Ohi looks amazing.

[Kitan]

Chapter three today at Kyoto Racecourse was a truly unique experience. Spent the morning in awe staring at famous Buddhist statues (google Sanjusangendo to see what I mean) before hopping on a train traveling into the countryside, where suddenly the grandstand appeared out of nowhere as we approached the station. Nothing overly special compared to the previous two tracks, but it has the lone circular parade ring in Japan, a large pond in the infield, and a great undulation (both rise and drop) approaching and on the far turn. It is also much smaller---"only" 54k was the most that packed for one of the G1 features in the fall (79k attended the Tenno Sho in May) and the crowd today was much less than that (midweek and not in the Tokyo area) while still being quite full. Made it much more comfortable to move around and watch the races, including a G3 featuring a few who have regularly contested G1s. Comfort didn't seem to help the wallet, though, as these trips are becoming quite costly from a wagering perspective...

[Kitan]

#5 Fiero (finished 3rd): 3 times placed in G1 miles and contested the Hong Kong Mile in both 2014 and 2015.
#6 Air Spinel (winner): 3rd in the Japanese St. Leger and 4th in the Japanese Derby last year.

Replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih9REtf6810