Japan’s Best Gather for Arima Kinen

The biggest and best of the Japanese turf congregate at Nakayama this afternoon for the G1 Arima Kinen, the Grand Prix of Japan, whose participants are selected–in part–by the public. 

Making his final career appearance today is Just a Way (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), who will look to follow in the hoofprints of his sire, successful in this event back in 2005. Anointed the world’s best with a rating of 130 following his smashing victory in the G1 Dubai Duty Free S. at Meydan Mar. 29, the bay cut back to a mile and landed this country’s premier race at that distance, the G1 Yasuda Kinen June 8. One of three Japanese raiders for the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Oct. 5, Just a Way was an excuse-free eighth and was last seen finishing four lengths behind Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) in the G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Nov. 30. 

“He’s back to his best. He’s night and day compared to his last race,” warned jockey Yuichi Fukunaga. “I’ve got a lot of good memories with him but I’m hoping we have one more here. It would be great if he can finish his career on a high–because he’s certainly in the physical condition to do it.” 

Epiphaneia, a son of GI American Oaks victress Cesario (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}), hit the board in all three legs of the Japanese Triple Crown in 2013, finishing runner-up in the G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Japanese Derby before running away with the G1 Japanese St Leger. He’ll be having just his third start this prep after staying on to be fifth in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) ahead of his four-length tally in the Japan Cup last time out. 

“It’ll come down again to how well he can settle,” admitted trainer Katsuhiko Sumii. “But he’s had two races this fall, so mentally–as well as physically–he should be easier to prepare. The racetrack doesn’t exactly suit him by all means, but he’s in good condition. We’re praying he can run like the way he did in the Japan Cup.” 

Gold Ship (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) won the Arima Kinen at age three in 2012 and was a distant third to the runaway Orfevre (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in defense of his title 12 months ago. Victorious in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in late June, the popular gray was runner-up in the G2 Sapporo Kinen Aug. 24, but was a well-beaten 14th in the Arc last time out. 

Gentildonna (Jpn), one of seven in the race for 2006 Arima Kinen hero Deep Impact (Jpn), also bids farewell to the races today. The 5-year-old overcame traffic in the stretch to become the third Japanese winner of the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic this past March and was runner-up in the Tenno Sho Nov. 2, but could do no better than fourth as the 5-2 favorite when in search of a third consecutive score in the Japan Cup a month ago. 

“They’re going to hold a ceremony for her after the race, and I wanted the fans to have one last opportunity to see her,” trainer Sei Ishizaki commented. “She’s worked abreast last week and this week, so she is ready to give it everything she’s got.”

Of the 16 runners in the Arima Kinen, only To the World (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) and Epiphaneia are not grandsons or granddaughters of Sunday Silence.