Hello to everyone who became interested in horse racing because of Uma Musume! 👋😃✨
In about 14 hours from now, at 3:40 PM Japan time, the Takarazuka Kinen will be held!
This race is a major event that concludes the first half of the Japanese horse racing season.
In the past, my favorite horse, Grass Wonder, also won this race! ✨
Now, this year's Takarazuka Kinen has a very interesting lineup. It might be the most exciting lineup in recent years.
Let me introduce you to these amazing participants! ✨
No. 5 Croix du Nord
He is currently the overwhelming favorite.
He has won the Osaka Hai and the Tenno Sho (Spring) this year, and if he wins this race, he will become the first horse in history to win all three of the major titles in the first half of the year for horses aged four and older.
In the Uma Musume game, you get a title for winning all three of these major races, right?
Also, his father, Kitasan Black, won the Osaka Hai and the Tenno Sho (Spring), but lost the Takarazuka Kinen.
Whether Croix du Nord can win the Takarazuka Kinen is something to watch closely.
No. 16 Meisho Tabal
He is currently the second favorite.
He won this race last year. He also finished second in this year's Osaka Cup.
Since both the Takarazuka Kinen and the Osaka Cup are held at the same Hanshin Racecourse, he may be good at this course.
Furthermore, his sire, Gold Ship, was the first horse in history to win this race twice in a row.
Therefore, we can expect great things from him!
No. 2 Museum Mile
He is currently the third favorite.
He won the Arima Kinen and Satsuki Sho last year.
However, due to various accidents, this will be his first race since the Arima Kinen, and he may not be in top form.
However, the Arima Kinen and Takarazuka Kinen are said to be races he performs well in, so we can still have high hopes for him.
No. 17 Regaleira
She is currently the fourth favorite.
She won the Arima Kinen two years ago and the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Japan last year.
This will be her first race since last year's Arima Kinen, so there are concerns about her condition.
However, if she performs at her best, she should not be underestimated.
No. 1 Danon Decile
He is currently the fifth favorite.
He won the Japanese Derby two years ago and last year won a G1 race in Dubai against Calandagan, a strong contender for the title of Europe's strongest horse.
However, he has finished third in three consecutive G1 races recently. While he hasn't won, his performance has been consistent, so he shouldn't be underestimated in this race either.
No. 6 Byzantine Dream
Currently the 7th favorite.
He won the Prix Foy, a Group 2 race in France, last year, and then finished 5th in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. After that, he suffered a defeat in a race in Qatar, and will be competing in a Japanese race for the first time in a while.
His performance in France last year was good, so we have high hopes for him.
You can watch it via the link below.
Don't forget to use a VPN connection! ✨
youtube.com/live/qJo0qeW-0J4…
Now, let's all watch the final big race of the first half of the year, featuring an amazing lineup of competitors☝️
In particular, we should keep an eye on whether Croix du Nord can achieve a historic first‼️ ✨