Lord Del Rey

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...