Black-Type Analysis: Can Calandagan Overcome Japan Cup Foes?
Updated: November 28, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Sunday, Tokyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, JAPAN CUP-G1, ¥960,400,000, 3yo/up, 2400mT
Field: Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Croix Du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Cosmo Kuranda (Jpn) (Al Ain {Jpn}), Deep Monster (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Sunrise Earth (Jpn) (Rey De Oro {Jpn}), Ho O Biscuits (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Jpn}), Seiun Hades (Jpn) (Silver State {Jpn}), Struve (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), Admire Terra (Jpn) (Rey De Oro {Jpn}), Yoho Lake (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Brede Weg (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Masquerade Ball (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Shin Emperor (Jpn) (Siyouni {Fr}), Durezza (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}).
TDN Analysis: Although Calandagan is the highest-rated horse in the world at the moment, conquering the Japan Cup will not be a breeze. A trio of Japanese Derby winners also line up in 2025 victor Croix Du Nord, Danon Decile (2024) and Tastiera (2023). Also, joint-second in the 2024 Japan Cup were Durezza and Shin Emperor, and that duo have returned to go one better on Sunday.
Click here for the complete field.