Indy Champ (Jpn)

A diverse group of 17 runners Sunday in Hanshin's G1 Mile Championship, the second leg of the Japan Autumn International Series. Headlining the 1,600-meter test, Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) accounted for a pair of Goup 1 wins in her two latest starts--the Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo in June followed by Nakayama's Sprinters S. Oct. 4. The daughter of Grade I-winning Tapitsfly (Tapit) won last season's G1 Oka Sho over the same course and distance of this weekend's Mile. "She was in great condition for the Sprinters S., and...

Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), third in last year's renewal of the G1 Yasuda Kinen, returns to take another crack at Sunday's 1,600-meter Tokyo feature, a 'Win and You're In' to the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. Victorious over this turf course in the 2,400-meter G1 Japan Cup in 2018, she added two more Group 1s last season in the Dubai Turf in March prior to the Tenno Sho (Autumn) in October. Her 2020 debut was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, she once again made short work of...

Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who wrapped 2019 with a trio of Group 1 wins-the June 23 Takarazuka Kinen, Oct. 26 Cox Plate in Australia and Arima Kinen on Dec. 22 back in Japan, was named Japan's Horse of the Year, as the 2019 champions were announced early Tuesday morning, Nikkan Sports reported. The U Carrot Farm runner also earned the Japanese Champion Older Mare award and beat out 2018 Horse of the Year Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in both categories. Lys Gracieux will be honored at...