Fukushima Race 12 - #2 De Fideli
This lightly raced colt is bursting to win a race. He has placed at both runs this campaign, last start clocking a career-best figure when a fast finishing third in a tougher race.
At his peak now, draws a much better gate, and finds an easier assignment. It is worth noting his only other win was here at this trip, and with even luck he can bring up his second success today.
In a race that drops away quickly, United Hearts looks the biggest danger. The entire was runner-up last time off a very wide draw, beaten just a head over 1000m. He has the inside this time and looks tough to stop if he runs up to that latest effort.
Hanshin Dirt Race 10 - #3 Sail On Sailor
This is a very honest three-year-old from the Tanaka stable coming back from a 19-week spell. He opened the last campaign in a Listed race over today's journey at Chukyo Dirt and did a fine job to finish second after racing up on the speed. He was dropped back to an allowance race at his only other run of the prep and easily accounted for his rivals at Fukushima Dirt, where he again travelled up on the pace.
This looks a perfect first-up assignment. In-form rider Yuga Kawada will have the colt right in the firing line from gate three and he should be too good for these.
Stable Ask flashed home to grab second when fresh from a spell in a similar race to this a fortnight ago. She draws a better gate today and with the race fitness edge poses a genuine threat.
Tokyo Race 10 - #2 Anegohada
A most durable filly who is still in her maiden preparation and lining up for the 13th time. In this marathon campaign she has managed to fill three minor placings at stakes level, the latest three runs back when third in the CBC Sho over 1200m at Kokura.
Trainer Shozo Sasaki gave her an eight-week freshen-up before her latest outing, a very close second over today's course and distance when she chimed in late and just missed. Expect her to improve off that run and with the aid of a perfect draw she can add another win to her impressive record.
Grass Miyarabi has won two of her last three, most recently five weeks ago here at this journey. Today's field is a bit deeper, but she is progressive and capable of another big run.
Tokyo Race 12 - #3 L'Evangile
Champion jockey Ryan Moore partners this smart colt who will appreciate a massive drop in class this afternoon.
The three-year-old tackled the Grade 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai over 2200m at Chukyo when resuming last start and didn't run on after making a positive move before the turn. He proved his quality last preparation, leading until the dying stages when a close second at Listed level at Hanshin. Second-up last prep he scored a tough win at this circuit.
