2011 Japan Cup Dirt - The Locks Picks the Winners

Last week was the Japan Cup, this weekend is the Japan Cup Dirt which is another Grade 1 race worth over $2 million.  Race is run at the Hanshin race track near Osaka going 1 1/8m (1800m). Although most JRA races are run on the turf, there are still some very good horses in this race. Including the runner -up in the Dubai World Cup and the winner of this race last year in Transcend.  Transcend rebounded well from that race with 1 win and 1 second since coming back from the UAE. Transcend hasn't been worse than 2nd in last 8 races.  Espoir City won this race in 2009 and has competed in the BC Classic. EC loves the distance with 6 wins and 1 second in 7 races and likes Hanshin with a perfect 2 for 2 record on the track.  Transcend and Espoir City will be the top 2 favorites and they will be difficult to overlook.  However, will need to consider others as well as pace will be a definite factor in the race.  


Tosho Freak will set the pace with Transcend and Espoir City wanting to chase the pace.  Depending on how fast Tosho Freak will go will set the fate for Transcend and Espoir City.  If setting too fast fractions then look for horses coming off the pace like Nihonpiro Ours  or Miracle Legend.  Nihonpiro Ours has not been out of the money in its 13 race career including 2 wins on the Hanshin dirt.   Had the fastest last 3 f time in the key Miyako Stakes in last race.  Miracle Legend will come off the pace and will benefit from fast fractions from the leaders.  Miracle Legend has 8 wins in its 15 race career including winning last 3 all at 1800m...actually all of this 4yo fillies wins have come at 1800m.   


The Locks are:


◎ #12 Nihonpiro Ours ニホンピロアワーズ
○  #11 Miracle Legend ミラクルレジェンド
▲ #16 Transcend トランセンド
△ #6 Espoir City エスポワールシチー


$1 Exacta #12 over all

$1 Trifecta Box 12.11.16.6