Johar Going for Japan Cup, Mandella Says

(from Santa Anita notes)
Johar, who made history with High Chaparral as the first to produce a dead-heat in the 20 years of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, will make his next start in the Japan Cup (Jpn-I) at Tokyo Racecourse on Nov. 30, trainer Richard Mandella said Wednesday.

"For sure he's going," Mandella said of the 4-year-old Gone West colt, who dead-heated with High Chaparral in the $2 million John Deere Turf at 1 ½ miles on Saturday. "We plan to ship around the middle of next month."

Johar was one of four winners saddled by Mandella on the eight-race championship card, a Breeders' Cup record.

The Japan Cup, with a purse of 476 million yen ($3,966,666 in U.S.) is for 3-year-olds and up at about 12 furlongs on the grass. The winner's share is $2,083,333 (U.S.), while second is worth $833,333; third, $525,000; fourth $316,666; and fifth, $208,333.

Johar, owned by The Thoroughbred Corp., earned $763,200 for his share of the Turf victory, increasing his career total to $1,494,496.

Mandella hopes to have Johar's regular rider, Alex Solis, aboard for the Japan Cup. "I imagine he'll go, if his schedule allows," Mandella said.