Asia Express, a Florida-bred son of Henny Hughes, took to the turf for the first time in the Asahi Futurity (Jpn-I) Dec. 15 at Nakayama racecourse and kept his perfect record intact with a surprising burst of speed.
Favorite and dual classic winner Gold Ship scored a thrilling come-from-behind tour de force in the Arima Kinen (Jpn-I), Japan's season finale and all-star race Dec. 23 at Nakayama.
Hong Kong group I winner Rulership and dual Japanese classic winner Gold Ship look to be the early favorites for the Arima Kinen (Grand Prix) (Jpn-I), the Japan's biggest race and its season finale, on Dec. 22.
Logotype turned back a strong challenge from favorite Codino and prevailed by a neck in a thrilling upset performance in Japan's top race for juvenile males, the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (Jpn-I), on Dec. 16.
Codino and A Shin Top will bid to close the year undefeated Dec. 16 in Japan's marquee race for juvenile males, the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (Jpn-I) at Nakayama Racecourse.
Four group races are affected by the cancellation. Racing will be held at Hanshin and Kokura racecourses.
The Bob Baffert-trained Preachinatthebar took command on the final turn in Saturday's $300,000 Texas Mile (gr. III) at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, and held on to beat Stockholder by a neck in front of 14,437 fans.
TVG will present six live racing telecasts from Japan beginning Sept. 10 as part of an agreement between TVG and the Japan Racing Association (JRA) granting TVG exclusive Japanese racing telecast and advanced deposit wagering rights in the U.S. Racing will air from 10 p.m.-midnight PT.
Nakayama Racecourse was host to another group I event over the Easter weekend. April 19 saw the fifth running of the Nakayama Grand Jump, (Jpn-I) an international invitational whose field of 16 this year included six foreign participants representing four countries.
Champion Japanese jockey Yutaka Take will be out three to six months as the result of a spill at Nakayama race course on Sunday.
American invader Campanile will face 10 foes in the third running of the Hakayama Grand Jump steeplechase at Japan's Nakayama Racecourse Saturday.
Kazuko Nakamura's Daitaku Yamato upset 11-10 favorite Agnes World Sunday at Nakayama Racecourse, winning the Sprinters' Stakes (JPN-I) by 1 1/4 lengths Sunday. The 6-year-old son of Daitaku Helios completed the six furlongs in 1:08 3/5.
