By Alan Carasso
Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) will pass the upcoming G1 Takarazuka Kinen and will instead be trained towards an appearance at the Breeders' Cup meeting at Del Mar in November, according to a report in the Sankei Sports (SANSPO) daily sports newspaper.
A ¥160 million ($1,404,800) purchase as a yearling at the 2017 JRHA Select Sales, the 2019 G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner has been ambitiously campaigned this season, with a popular victory at home in the G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200mT) in February ahead of a game third-place effort behind Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and likely Takarazuka Kinen favorite Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (2410mT) the following month. The mare's international travels most recently took her to Hong Kong, where she led home a Japanese 1-2-3 sweep of the G1 FWD QE II Cup (2000mT) at Sha Tin Racecourse Apr. 25 (see below).
According to the Sanspo report, Loves Only You will be spelled in the cooler climates of Hokkaido near-term before amping up preparations for a potential trans-Pacific journey. Tentative plans call for a return to Hong Kong for the Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting in December.
【今秋も海外遠征】#ラヴズオンリーユー 宝塚記念の出走は見送り。今夏は北海道で休養することになりましたが、矢作調教師によると秋の海外遠征に備えて「少しずつ準備を進めている」とのこと。今のところは🇺🇸ブリーダーズCから🇭🇰香港カップに向かう予定のようです。https://t.co/SZBCKWn5QM pic.twitter.com/Pprm4s4Vxt
— Stay Dream (@StayDream21) June 8, 2021
Loves Only You would become the third Japanese-based horse to compete in the Filly & Mare Turf and would be following a similar path to Nuovo Record (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who was 11th in the 2016 renewal at Del Mar before annexing that track's GIII Red Carpet S. less than three weeks later. She made her next start in Hong Kong, finishing fourth to compatriot Satono Crown (Jpn) (Marju {Ire}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase. Japan's Red Desire (Jpn) (Manhattan Cafe {Jpn}) was a close fourth to Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect) at odds of 5-1 in the 2010 F/M Turf at Churchill.
A full-sister to G1 Dubai Turf hero Real Steel (Jpn), Loves Only You has a career record of 13-6-1-3 and earnings of $5,196,190.
WATCH: Loves Only You too strong in the FWD QE II Cup
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
