Wide-Open Yasuda Kinen offers Breeders' Cup Mile Bid

Tokyo Racecourse hosts its fifth straight weekend of grade 1 racing with the June 7 Yasuda Kinen (G1T) for milers, a race that replaces the star power of recent years with some contenders seemingly on the upswing. Some history? Lord Kanaloa (JPN) counted the 2013 Yasuda Kinen among his six grade/group 1 wins. Maurice (JPN) triumphed two years later, the first of his six top-level victories. In 2024, Hong Kong's Romantic Warrior (IRE) filled the Japan niche in his trophy case by relegating Namur (JPN) and Soul Rush (JPN), both grade/group 1 winners, into second and third. Last year, it was Jantar Mantar (JPN) taking the trophy with Soul Rush again third. While that litany of success is peppered with grade/group 1 winners, this year's field is light on that seasoning, instead providing an opportunity for some contenders whose recent records show promise. Admire Zoom (JPN), a 4-year-old Maurice colt, might have been a favorite but was withdrawn five days before the race with a hoof issue. He won the 2024 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1T) and was last seen winning the Yomiuri Milers Cup (G2T). Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said the injury to his right foreleg is a recurrence of a 2025 setback and will require time. He said he hopes to have Admire Zoom back in the autumn. His absence leaves this Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In race for the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) a toss-up. Trovatore (JPN) reported 17th in the 2025 Yasuda Kinen, his only grade 1 start, but has won two straight grade 3 affairs, both on the Tokyo turf, at 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) and 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles). Christophe Lemaire takes the mount and trainer Yuichi Shikato is optimistic. "He's better mentally, and Christophe Lemaire has advised well about the horse. With these things in mind, I think he can run better than he did last year. Firm ground would be good," the trainer said. Gaia Force (JPN), a striking light gray 7-year-old by Kitasan Black (JPN), has plenty of grade 1 experience with 11 starts at the top level. While he has not won any of those races, and finished fourth in both the 2023 and 2024 Yasuda Kinen, he too woke up a bit in 2025 with runner-up showings in the Yasuda Kinen and the Mile Championship (G1T), both times behind Jantar Mantar. He finished sixth in the Dubai Turf (G1T) in his only previous start of 2026. "It'll be his fourth time to take on this race and the Tokyo mile suits him with his big stride. He did finish second last year," trainer Haruki Sugiyama said. Panja Tower (JPN) won the 2025 NHK Mile Cup (G1T). He's been sprinting since that effort, but trainer Shinsuke Hashiguchi said, "I think 1,600 meters is probably his best distance." He also is 2-for-2 at Tokyo and Kohei Matsuyama, fresh from victory in last weekend's Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1T), is back aboard. Kentucky-bred Luxor Cafe, 12th in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, was last seen finishing fifth in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) and tries turf for the first time. "I want to try him on the surface to see how he does," said trainer Noriyuki Hori. Stellenbosch (JPN) got her grade 1 win in the 2024 Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas, G1T) at 1,600 meters, then finished third in both the Shuka Sho (G1T) going 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) and the Hong Kong Vase (G1) at 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) later that year. She struggled in 2025 but has been returned to shorter races and finished second behind Trovatore last time out in the Epsom Cup (G3T) at Tokyo. World's End (JPN), a 5-year-old newcomer to the grade 1 ranks, is intriguing with a record of five wins and three seconds from just 10 starts. By Lord Kanaloa, he exits a victory in a Tokyo Keio Hai Spring Cup (G2T).