Do Deuce Leads Fan Vote for Takarazuka Kinen

There are two major races in Japan in which the runners are selected by fan voting, and one of them is Takarazuka Kinen (G1) at Kyoto Racecourse June 23. Voting results were announced June 6 by the Japan Racing Association and Do Deuce (JPN), a 5-year-old horse by Heart's Cry (JPN), occupied first place with 238,367 votes, eclipsing the past highest record established by Equinox (JPN), who earned 216,379 votes in 2023. Do Deuce has won the Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) at 2, Japanese Derby (G1) at 3, and Arima Kinen (G1) at 4. The fans' darling, who was beaten fifth in the March 30 Dubai Turf (G1T) at Meydan last time out, holds an entry for the Oct. 6 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at Longchamp. Liberty Island (JPN), winner of the Japanese Triple Tiara for 3-year-old fillies in 2023, took the second place with 195,182 votes, but will not run in the Takarazuka Kinen as she suffered a minor injury on her off-foreleg when third in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T) at Meydan. Bellagio Opera (JPN), winner of the March 31 Osaka Hai (G1) at Hanshin, took third place with 141,489 votes and Justin Palace (JPN), fourth-place finisher in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T), took fifth place with 137,979 votes. Both are intended runners in the Takarazuka Kinen.