The 2022 Arima Kinen field is official. We’re 12 days out from the race and what a Christmas Day present Japanese horse racing has for us. Unlike the Japan Cup in November the Arima Kinen will feature Japan’s best stayers.
Headline act of the 2022 Arima Kinen is Titleholder. The four year old is returning from a failed attempt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October of this year. Prior to that Titleholder took out the G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) and the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m), a double not completed since Deep Impact in 2006. Alongside Titleholder in the betting is three year old Equinox. His biggest achievement was his recent win in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn over 2000m. Back in May he was 2nd in the Japanese Derby, so the 2500m of the Arima Kinen won’t be too much of a stamina shock.
The remaining headliners include 2022 Japan Cup winner Vera Azul, defending Arima Kinen champion from 2021 Efforia and Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Geraldina. Efforia is a surprising 3rd favourite currently, given that his two races this year (at G1 level) have yielded a 9th and a 6th. Beyond the five horses named already there are still realistic hopes in the shape of Boldog Hos, Breakup and Deep Bond.
Below is the full field for the 2022 Arima Kinen to be held on Christmas Day 3:25pm (Tokyo Time). Lew Dub’s Personal Best will not be doing a video preview for the race as there has been insufficient interest in the past and it is Christmas time.
Equinox
Titleholder
Vera Azul
Efforia
Geraldina
Boldog Hos
Deep Bond
Justin Palace
Breakup
Akai Ito
Aristoteles
Win Mighty
Boccherini
Last Draft
Izu Jo no Kiseki
Potager
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