Deep Expectations

One of the most popular races on the Japanese calendar, the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring), at 3200 meters, is the Japan Racing Association's longest race. Deep Impact (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) holds the course and track record for his Tenno Sho score in 2006, and while progeny of the champion sire have conquered almost every major contest in the country, this race has eluded them. The Deep Impact-sired Kizuna (Jpn), who already emulated his sire with a win in the G1 Japanese Derby two years ago, looks to reverse that trend. The now 5-year-old was fourth here as the favorite 12 months ago but was later found to have suffered a fracture, and was sidelined for the rest of the season. Kizuna was third in his seasonal debut, the G2 Kyoto Kinen, Feb. 15, and went one better when second in the G2 Sankei Osaka Hai three weeks ago while carrying 4 1/2 pounds more than the winner. Kizuna is partnered by Yutaka Take, who was aboard Deep Impact nine years ago. 

Admire Deus (Jpn) (Admire Don {Jpn}), off the board in his two prior attempts at the highest level in last year's G1 Japanese 2000 Guineas and Japanese Derby, appears to be blossoming into top form. He has won both his outings this year at the Group 2 level and bested last year's Tenno Sho second and third, Win Variation (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Hokko Brave (Jpn) (Marvelous Sunday {Jpn}), in the G2 Nikkei Sho Mar. 28. The 4-year-old chestnut races beyond 2500 meters for the first time. Admire Deus's trainer, Mitsuru Hashida, said, “He settles well and he's good in races with late speed. Jockey Yasunari Iwata added, “I think more distance will be a plus. He had a lot left last start; a lot more than the margin would indicate.” 

This year's renewal of the Tenno Sho sees female participation for the first time in five years, and headlining the trio of mares is Denim and Ruby (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). The 5-year-old stepped up to 3000 meters for the first time last-out in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten Mar. 22, when she was second to Gold Ship (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), who has nursed a hoof ailment since that contest. Denim and Ruby, second in the G1 Japan Cup of 2013, seeks her first Group 1 win, and looks to become only the second female to score in this prestigious contest and the first since Leda (Jpn) in 1953.