With the Japan Cup (G1) and Champions Cup (G1) in the books, Japanese racing looks to the future Dec. 14 with the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1), first of three December grade 1s for 2-year-olds.
The lineup for the 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) at Hanshin Racecourse is a handicapper's head-scratcher.
Eight of the original nominees have made only two previous starts. Two have only one past-performance line. For the first time since 1997, there are no graded stakes winners to be found. And the lack of experience is an issue since the most experienced filly usually has done well in recent years, while longshots have fared poorly.
The puzzle deepens with popular big-race rider Christophe Lemaire, who always attracts support, being absent while riding in the Longines Hong Kong International Races.
All of that said, attention focuses on two undefeated fillies—Alankar and Margot Love Me—and Arbanne, who is 2-for-3.
Alankar, by Epiphaneia, won her first start at Fukushima Racecourse at 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) July 5 and stepped up to take the Nojigiku Stakes Sept. 20 over the course and distance of Juvenile Fillies. Her dam, Sinhalite, won the 2016 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1).
"There are some concerns with the big field, how well she'll take the bit, the start, and how in tune she'll be with the rider," said Alankar's trainer, Takashi Saito. "But she has a lot of talent and I have my hopes up."
Margot Love Me, a Real Steel filly out of the War Front mare Can't Buy Me Love, got started late but won right out of the box Oct. 11 at Kyoto Racecourse, opening eyes by going 1,400 (about 7 furlongs) meters in 1:20.2. She won again in the Shiragiku Sho Nov. 30 over the same course at 1,600 meters.
"Even though she doesn't have a strong constitution and she isn't the best eater, she won both her starts and I think the latter one was her better one," her trainer Shinya Kobayashi said. "I'm hoping she can do well if she brings out her strength, her early speed."
Arbanne, a daughter of Admire Mars, finished second on debut in June and returned to score her first win two months later at Niigata Racecourse. She doubled up on that with a victory in the Saffron Sho at Nakayama Racecourse Sept. 28.
Looking for clues beyond the obvious
Star Anise finished second in the Chukyo Nisai Stakes (G3) in her third start Aug. 31. She has plenty of speed in her bloodlines. Her sire, Drefong, was a champion sprinter for trainer Bob Baffert with a 2016 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) victory to his credit and her dam, Epice Arome, defeated the legendary sprinter Lord Kanaloa in the 2012 Centaur Stakes (G2).
She steps up to 1,600 meters for the first time, but trainer Tomokazu Takano said, "I don't have the impression that she's restricted to sprints."
Lasting Snow finished second, then won, at Sapporo Racecourse in August and won again in the Rindo Sho on yielding ground at Kyoto in October.
The Hanshin race is followed by the Dec. 21 Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) and the Dec. 27 Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse. Both are open to both colts and fillies.
