Nine horses from Japan bound for the Breeders’ Cup are scheduled to arrive at Santa Anita on Tuesday to continue their preparations
for the championships Nov. 3 and 4, according to the track’s stall superintendent
Jeff Metz.
Japan: Durezza away to win Grade 1 Kikuka Sho.
Among Japan’s expected contingent are Grade 1 Dubai World Cup
winner Ushba Tesoro and UAE Derby (G2) victor Derma Sotogake, who came to the
U.S. this year for the Kentucky Derby and finished sixth but has not raced
since. Ushba Tesoro came back from six months on the bench to win a Grade 2
race last month at Funabashi to run his winning streak to six. Both are
expected to race in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The other horses scheduled to arrive are Songline, Meikei Yell, Win Marilyn, Shahryar, Jasper Krone, Ecoro Neo and Win Carnelian, according to Metz.
Two years ago at Del Mar, Japan collected its first-ever wins
in a Breeders’ Cup. Marche Lorraine lit up the toteboard in the Distaff when
prevailing by a nose at 48-1, and Loves Only You won the Filly & Mare Turf
at 4-1.
According to Metz, an additional 42 horses from Europe are
scheduled to arrive at Santa Anita next Sunday.