On Dec. 7, the JRA announced 4,075,363 votes were cast to select runners for the Dec. 24 Arima Kinen (G1) at Nakayama, which closed Dec. 3.
Equinox and Liberty Island, the first and second finishers of the Nov. 26 Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo, received the most votes at 342,637 and 327,184, respectively; neither of them will run in the Arima Kinen. Equinox has run his last race, retiring to stud duty, and Liberty Island has started to enjoy her winter holiday.
Justin Palace, who received 291,113 votes and ranked third on the ballot, is training for the Dec. 24 race. The 4-year-old Deep Impact colt won the April 30 Tenno Sho Spring (G1) at Kyoto and was runner-up to Equinox in Tenno Sho Autumn (G1) Oct. 29. Jockey Takeshi Yokoyama will be in the saddle for the upcoming race.
Toru Kurita, who trains Title Holder, has confirmed the Arima Kinen will be a swan song for the 5-year-old by Duramente. A winner of three grade 1s, he received 246,436 votes and will take to stud duty at Lex Stud in Hokkaido in 2024.
Sol Priens, who received 239,000 votes, is an intended runner for the Arima Kinen. Regular rider Takeshi Yokoyama, who has been in the tack for the past five starts, including his Satsuki Sho (G1) victory at Nakayama April 16, will not have the return ride; Yuga Kawada is booked to partner the 3-year-old colt by Kitasan Black.
