By Alan Carasso
A field of 12 middle-distance horses, led by reigning champion Japanese 2-year-old filly Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}), heads to the post for Sunday's G2 Mainichi Okan (1800m) at Tokyo which will serve as a prep for the 2000-metre G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) to be held at the same track in three weeks' time.
Winner of her three appearances at two, including the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Filles, the daughter of US Eclipse Award winner Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}) suffered a shock defeat in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) in April, but bounced back to win the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) when last seen May 21 (video gate 2). The mount of Christophe Lemaire, Soul Stirring is favoured ante-post at 6-5.
Makahiki (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) won last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and G2 Prix Niel in France, but has yet to return to winning ways in 2017 despite a pair of credible efforts, including a close fourth to Kitasan Black (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}) in the G1 Osaka Hai Apr. 2 (video, gate 14).
The 2016 G1 Dubai Turf winner Real Steel (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is winless since, but was a good second to Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in last year's Tenno Sho, while Satono Aladdin (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) gets back to work for the first time since surging late to win the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at this track June 4 (video).
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