G1 Takarazuka Kinen

Legendary jockey Yutaka Take bettered his own record when winning his sixth G1 Takarazuka Kinen and second aboard Meisho Tabaru (Gold Ship) at Hanshin on Sunday. The 57-year-old previously claimed the race with Inari One (1989), Meijiro McQueen (1993), Marvelous Sunday (1997), and Deep Impact (2006). The "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in October featured a full field of 18, and, shortly before the bell, a deluge turned the course from good to firm to yielding. Second in the betting at 29-10 behind...

A berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in the autumn was on the line in Sunday's 2200-metre G1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin, and 10-1 chance Meisho Tabaru (Gold Ship) landed a mild upset in pillar-to-post fashion. He is the second Japanese horse to punch his ticket to the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar this month, after Jantar Mantar (Palace Malice) won last Sunday's G1 Yasuda Kinen, a "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. The seventh pick in the 17-horse field, Meisho Tabaru was steered immediately...

Sunday, Chantilly, France, post time: 16:05, PRIX DE DIANE LONGINES-G1, €1,000,000, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT Field: Cankoura (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), D'Ores Et Deja (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Shes Perfect (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Merrily (No Nay Never), Rosa Salvaje (Ire) (Maximum Security), Better Together (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), American Gal (GB) (Kameko), Zia Agnese (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}), Sand Gazelle (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}). TDN Verdict: After two tussles with Zarigana that read like a soap opera, Shes Perfect looks to...

Saturday, Sandown, post time: 14:40, THE BETMGM SCURRY STAKES-Listed, £45,000, 3yo, 5f 10yT Field: Coto De Caza (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Kullazain (GB) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Marty Hopkirk (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Star Of Mehmas (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Hold A Dream (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}), Pearl Of Wisdom (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Proudly Yours (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Town And Country (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Last year's G3 Cornwallis Stakes winner Coto De Caza returns under a penalty for that effort, which might make it tough against some already battle-hardened sprinters in this...

Sunday's G1 Takarazuka Kinen is one of two races run annually in Japan whose lineup is determined by the racing public. The $5-million GI Breeders' Cup Turf qualifier was moved a couple of weeks earlier on the calendar to avoid the very hot weather of the Japanese summer, and a field of 17 have stood their ground. Leading the way by votes is Bellagio Opera, the two-time winner of the G1 Osaka Hai, who finished third in last year's edition. The 5-year-old entire blitzed the 2025 2000-metre Osaka Hai at...

Runner-up to T O Royal (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) when tackling 3,200 metres in April's G1 Tenno Sho (Spring), Blow The Horn (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) made full use of his staying power as he ran out an impressive winner of Sunday's G1 Takarazuka Kinen at Kyoto Racecourse, a 'Win and You're In' event for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. With the victory, he defeated Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) by two lengths to gain the first Group 1 success of his career. Blow The Horn was dropping back fully 1,000...

The fan's pick Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) lived up to his star billing with a facile two-length victory in Sunday's G1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin, a 'Win and You're In' event to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf later this fall. With the top 10 runners in the 2200-meter event selected by fan voting, the 4-year-old was installed the 3-1 second choice behind Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). Titleholder vied for the early lead with Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) before settling in second. Inching closer to the pacesetter in the latter...

Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) justified 4-5 favouritism and took her second consecutive G1 Takarazuka Kinen title at Hanshin on Sunday. The 2200-metre contest is a "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar in November, as well as the Oct. 23 G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley Down Under. Unicorn Lion (Ire) (No Nay Never) led the charge into the first turn while shadowed by Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Chrono Genesis sat third a few lengths back. A touch keen, pilot...