Sprinters Star as Grade 1 Turf Racing Returns to Japan

Japan's first grade 1 turf event of the year, the March 29 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyuo Racecourse, has a sense of déjà vu about it as the top three from last autumn's Sprinters Stakes (G1) return for another go.

But the race will look very much out of the ordinary as the first top-level event in the history of Japanese racing to be run before empty stands. Spectators continue to be barred from the stands as part of the ongoing effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.

While the stands are empty, the gate will be full for the 1,200-meter (about six-furlong) dash. The 18-horse lineup includes Tower of London, Mozu Superflare, and Danon Smash, the trifecta from the Sept. 19 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama, as well as 2019's champion 3-year-old filly, Gran Alegria.

Tower of London, a 5-year-old by Raven's Pass, was idle for some five months after the Sprinters Stakes win, returning March 7 to finish third in the Yukan Fuji Sho Ocean Stakes at Nakayama.

"He'd been returning from a long layoff in the Ocean Stakes last start and he was carrying 58 kilos (almost 128 pounds) and broke from the far inside gate," said Tower of London's trainer Kazuo Fujisawa, after drawing the post 9 for the Takamatsunomiya Kinen. "I think third place was a good showing … He did well last year and he had ample time off before preparing for this race. He has come along well, in good spirits, and his condition looks fine."

Mozu Superflare, a 5-year-old Speightstown  mare, has failed to make an impact in two starts since the Sprinters Stakes and owner Hidetaka Otonashi said the layout at Chukyo concerns him. "She likes to get way out in front and hold on, so the long stretch of Chukyo with the hill at the end is going to be tough for her," he fretted.

Danon Smash, a 5-year-old son of Lord Kanaloa, traveled to Hong Kong in December, finishing eighth in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1) at Sha Tin, then returned to win the Ocean Stakes.

Those looking for up-and-coming types will cast an eye on Gran Alegria, a regally bred but lightly raced daughter of Deep Impact. She won last year's grade 1 Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas), then finished fifth in the May 5 NHK Mile Cup (G1) before going on vacation. Out of the grade 1-winning Tapit  mare Tapitsfly, the filly returned to win the Hanshin Cup (G2) in December and has been idle since. The Takamatsunomiya Kinen will be just her seventh start and first at this short a trip.

"She's a very good-natured horse and easy to train," trainer Kazuo Fujisawa said of Gran Alegria. "There are a lot of sprint specialists in the field. She's an Oka Sho champion and I've cut her distance by a furlong each time so I do think she'll be able to handle it well."

Among the others: Mozu Ascot, a 6-year-old son of Frankel, returns from a victory in the Feb. 23 February Stakes (G1) at 1,600 meters at Tokyo Racecourse; and Normcore won the Victoria Mile (G1) last May at Tokyo Racecourse in record time of 1:30.5 but has not raced since finishing fourth in the Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1) at Sha Tin in December.