Six Top-Level Winners Face Off in Takarazuka Kinen

The June 23 Takarazuka Kinen (G1) at Hanshin Racecourse is one of two annual events in which fans vote for the horses they want to see run. This year, they didn't get their top wish, but the field is deep with talent nonetheless and offers a guaranteed spot in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) to the winner.

Star filly Almond Eye led the voting but is taking a pass on the 2,200-meter (about 11-furlong) test. But the next three in the balloting—Rey de Oro, Kiseki, and Al Ain—will take their place in the lineup. They will be joined by fellow top-level winners Makahiki, Suave Richard, and Lys Gracieux.

Suave Richard and Rey de Oro finished third and sixth, respectively, in the Dubai Sheema Classic Sponsored by Longines (G1) in their last start, while Al Ain and Kiseki finished 1-2 in the March 31 Osaka Hai (G1) over the Hanshin course.

Lys Gracieux won the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) in November at Kyoto and finished third in her most recent start, the April 28 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) at Sha Tin in Hong Kong. Makahiki was fourth in the Osaka Hai and has not won a race since 2016.

Christophe Lemaire, set to ride Rey de Oro, said the 5-year-old son of King Kamehameha should be better than his run at Meydan.

"He was too excitable in Dubai and doesn't seem to like night races," Lemaire said after the barrier draw for the Takarazuka Kinen. "He was keen underway in spots and was lagging at the end. He's always relaxed in Japan, so I'm confident."

Suave Richard's trainer, Yasushi Shono, also expressed confidence the travel was a good experience for his 5-year-old by Heart's Cry.

"The margin between him and the winner (in Dubai) directly reflected their racing positions," Shono said. "He showed he was competitive enough. His movement is as usual, and he looks good all around. I feel he's matured somewhat since racing overseas."

Rey de Oro drew gate 2 in a small—for Japan—field of 12. Suave Richard was installed in gate 11 with Mirco Demuro to ride.

Lys Gracieux, a 5-year-old Heart's Cry mare, is the only female in the field and will start from the outside.

"She does get excitable during the trip to the track, so it's good that the distance to the track is short this time," assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said of Lys Gracieux. "She's raced in all sorts of conditions, and the Hanshin 2,200 meters is good for her, so I'm looking forward to it."

The Takarazuka Kinen is run right-handed around one narrow turn and a sweeping second bend on the Hanshin turf. It closes the grade 1 season in Japan, with top-level racing absent until the Sept. 29 Sprinters Stakes (G1) at Nakayama.