Twelve runners are declared for the June 28 Teio Sho, the domestic group 1 and championship dirt race at Oi Racecourse, open to National Association of Racing and Japan Racing Association horses. The feature summer race at the urban Tokyo track carries a total purse of ¥138,500,000 (US$963,639).
While heavyweight Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Ushba Tesoro is absent from the field and currently on respite in preparation for a fall campaign, other star contenders include: T O Keynes, winner of the Teio Sho and JRA Champion Dirt Horse in 2021; the Teio Sho winner from last year, Meisho Hario; Jun Light Bolt, 2022 Champions Cup (G1) victor; Notturno, 2022 Japan Dirt Derby winner; and Crown Pride, 2022 winner of the UAE Derby (G2).
Promised Warrior will also make a bid in the strongest field thus far of his light career. The 6-year-old son of Majestic Warrior, hampered by injury early in his career, comes in off a five-race winning streak since October 2022, including the Tokai Stakes (G2) Jan. 22 and the Antares Stakes (G3) April 16.
The Teio Sho is one of the most important events on the Japanese dirt racing schedule, most of which is conducted under the auspices of the NAR. That organization, composed of local racing jurisdictions, is working with the JRA to improve the visibility and value of competition on dirt tracks as the country has experienced recent success in major international events on that surface.
