Cattleya Stakes

Making his first start since breaking his maiden impressively over 1700 meters (about a mile and a sixteenth) at Sapporo Racecourse in July, Natural Rise (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) swept widest of all into the long Tokyo straight and held off a late bid from Clay King (Jpn) (Nadal) to take out Saturday's Cattleya Stakes (allowance), the first of four races that comprise the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. Natural Rise picks up 10 Kentucky Derby points for the victory. Sent off the 13-5 second betting favorite behind fellow impressive...

A field of 16 juveniles--13 colts and a trio of fillies--will head to the Tokyo 1600-meter start for Saturday's $199,488 Cattleya Stakes (allowance), a contest that serves as the first of four legs on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and offers points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale. American-breds comprise a quarter of the field and Godolphin homebred Snappy Dresser (Union Rags) is the best-backed of the foursome at just over 5-2 in early wagering. A full-brother to MGSW & GISP Caramel Swirl, the May 19 foal debuted in a...

A field of 16 horses--14 colts and a pair of 2-year-old fillies--will head to the gate for Saturday's $206,819 Cattleya S., a 1600-meter allowance test going a single left-handed turn at Tokyo Racecourse that serves as the first of four legs on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Tetsuya Kimura, who will tighten the girth around favored Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in Sunday's G1 Japan Cup, sends out American-bred Sonic Star (Into Mischief). Bred in Kentucky by Nancy Shuford, the dark bay was a $300,000 Keeneland September...