Japan's Fans Vote for Elite Race's Runners

The Gr1 Takarazuka Kinen is one of only two races in Japan where horses are elected by votes from fans. This year's top choice went to Chrono Genesis (Bago-Chronologist, by Kurofune) who attracted over 137,000 votes, reports japanracing.jp. First run in 1960, the race is for 3YOs and up over 2200m, and was extended to include international runners in 1997. In 2021, there are no runners from overseas, however the winner does get automatic entry to both the Breeders' Cup Turf in November and the Gr1 WS Cox Plate in October, a path taken by Lys Gracieux (Heart's Cry-Liliside, by American Post) after she won in 2019. Of the 15 nominations, the favourites include Chrono Genesis who won last year by 6-lengths. Unbeaten 4YO mare Lei Papale (Deep Impact-Shells Lei, by Kurofune) is also heading into the race off a short break, while 4YO entire Aristoteles (Epiphaneia-Blue Diamond, by Deep Impact) ran fourth last start in the Gr1 Tenno Sho over 3200m in May. Of interest to our readers, Lys Gracieux recently foaled a colt by Arrowfield Stud's 2021 return shuttler Maurice (Screen Hero-Mejiro Frances, by Carnegie).