3:30 p.m. More serious than Stelvio though, is Epoca d'Oro.

Epoca has finally taken the lead yesterday, but the lap for the first 3 furlongs was a drowsy 36.4 seconds. This, I should say, is too slow even taking in the rather soft track condition. The horse could have done better than that, since he'd won Satsuki-sho wrapping up the first 3 furlongs in 35.5 seconds on soft track condition.

If this had been some sort of strategy, I'll understand (although think they must be crazy). But if Epoca couldn't generate that speed (which I fear), it could become critical for the horse.

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Caterpillar

2:03 p.m. Time won't wait and the races go on. This week it's Ohka-sho. The classic races for Reiwa is beginning.

There are 28 fillies entered for Ohka-sho for 18 barriers available at most. I've took a glimpse of the entry list yesterday, and decided to wait until the entry is closed. I don't want to spend time on searching about horses that later disappear from the list.

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Caterpillar

1:38 p.m. An article caught my eye yesterday, about Deep Impact giving up this season's breeding due to a slight pain in his neck.

The news itself wasn't unusual but what nagged in my mind was the words that followed. It said something like, " Deep Impact has brought out many great descendants such as Gentil Donna, Satono Diamond and A Shin Hikari." A Shin Hikari? Why A Shin Hikari? It could have been Kizuna (D'erby champion), or Dee Majesty (Satsuki-sho winner) or Spilberg (Tenno-sho winner) instead of A Ahin Hikari (non-title holder, domestically concerning G1).

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Caterpillar

2:28 p.m. I've been to JRA'S official website but the closed entry form still hadn't been updated yet...

Classic races like Ohka-sho or Satsuki-sho have different announcement schedules, and the barrier draws are supposed to be released by 2 p.m. Thursday. Though they never have, in fact. Beaurocratic work.

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Caterpillar

2:11 p.m. Just as I finished writing yesterday, JRA has uploaded the barrier draw...

Schon Glanz in post number1, Aile Voix in 2, Noble Score in 3, Chrono Genesis in 4, Regard Calme in 5, Ho O Catherine in 6, A Will Away in 7, Gran Alegria in 8, Aqua Mirabillis in 9, Figlia Pura in 10, Meisho Meikei in 11, No One in 12, Juranville in 13, Beach Samba in 14, Danon Fantasy in 15, Shigeru Pink Dia in 16, Red Astel in 17, and Pourville in 18.

That's good for Danon Fantasy, not so good for say, Schon Glanz or Beach Samba, I guess.

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Caterpillar

2:33 p.m. Oh no, no, no. I got too caught up in figuring out my sleeping habit that now am running out of time.

My key for Ohka-sho will be Danon Fantasy as you might have already guessed. Her performance in Tulip-sho was outstanding, I think she can come within 3rd place for this race.

On the wheel would be Aile Voix, Chrono Genesis, Gran Alegria, No One and Shigeru Pink Dia. Maaaaybe not No One on a second thought. My guess is that if Danon Fantasy should lose below 2nd place, the 1st place would be Aile Voix, Gran Alegria, or Shigeru Pink Dia. Aile Voix, preferrable.

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Caterpillar

8:59 p.m. I bought all of them from 1st place to 4th. Wny am I not winning?

I thought Danon Fantasy could hang in there in 3rd place, but then, she's a Deep Impact descendant. She had already lost her motivation when her rider hit the brakes at the back stretch to hold her down... I should have guessed.

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Caterpillar

3:47 p.m. I wanted to review Ohka-sho however, two thirds of my day has been wasted on visiting the usual hospital and waiting in line. Ridiculous.

Want to get right to it though I have a meeting in less than an hour, which means I have to put it off till tomorrow and that my whole day has been mostly wasted as a consequence.

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Caterpillar

3:02 p.m. I haven't finished my review for Ohka-sho yet, but there has been more concerning news for me.

That Dixie Knight is entering NHK Mile Cupinstead of Satsuki-sho. Whaaaat!? I was secretly writing his name down on my list so as not to forget to buy him in Satsuki-sho!

And that Saturnalia's rider is going to change from Mirco to Christophe. Because Mirco is riding Admire Mars, right? Well, this doesn't matter much to tell you the truth.

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Caterpillar

5:05 p.m. All right, so I can finally get started with Satsuki-sho.

What I've been worrying since last year is whether Saturnalia is in the form to win another G1 or not. Since 3 years ago, I've been observing how Hopeful Stakes winners perform in Satsuki-sho, considering the fact it may be promoted in the near future. So far the winners have all sunk in Satsuki-sho. That's what I'm afraid of.

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Caterpillar

4:16 p.m. I've just got started on Satsuki-sho only yesterday and the barrier draw has already been released. Oh yes, it was Thursday.

Admire Mars in post number 1, Satono Lux in 2, Fantasist in 3, Danon Kingly in 4, Lance of Puraana in in 5, Courageux Guerrier in 6, Velox in 7, Nishino Daisy in 8, Meisho Tengen in 9, Schwarz Riese in 10, Last Draft in 11, Saturnalia in 12, Breaking Dawn in 13, Daddy's Mind in 14, Kurino Gaudi in 15, Tagano Diamante in 16, Admire Justa in 17 and Naimama in 18.

Ideal post for Saturnalia. Depending on the horse's condition, he might even sweep the rest.

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Caterpillar

2:41 p.m. I haven't made much progress on calling Satsuki-sho. It's been very stressful and I'm frustrated that I don't have much to say here today.

Just one thing. The win odds have already started moving. Have JRA started selling through the Internet? The ups and downs of win odds is slightly concerning, as Shigeru Pink Dia whose win odds had temporalily shot up last week actually came in 2nd in Ohka-sho.

Right now, Saturnalia is the most favored under the win odds of 1.1(!!), while Velox follows 2nd with 20.7(!!) and Danon Kingley following 3rd with 29.9. What happened to Admire Mars?

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Caterpillar

2:49 p.m. Sigh. I've managed to decide the key horse in what little time I had this week, but still in deep thought about which horse to put on my wheel.

My key horse would be Saturnalia. Don't boo, I know. Was torn between Admire Mars, though eventually decided to take Saturnalia. I thought this horse could be another Almond Eye when I saw him win Hopeful Stakes, I think I ought to trust myself.

The current candidates for my wheel are: Danon Kingly, Lance of Puraana, Breaking Dawn, Admire Mars, Nishino Daisy, and Fantasist. Will have to narrow them down a bit.

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Caterpillar

8:58 p.m. I've reviewed the video of Hopeful Stakes so dutifully yesterday and had decided to key Saturnalia. And then I've had a sudden change of mind and keyed Danon Kingly instead.

Not that it mattered as I hadn't marked Velox at all... Out of the blue. And why has stupid Cow won a trifecta?

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Caterpillar

3:50 p.m. The spring races have only started and I'm already losing my hope. It seems the trend that once was in the spring classics racing schedule has now changed, and this might have changed the consequence. Anyway, must review thoroughly.

This week we have a step race for Yasuda Kinen in June and no G1. It may be a good chance to cool off my confused head before Tennno-sho.

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Caterpillar

2:11 p.m. I've gone through a thorough investigation on the cause of my loss and figured out that it was because I'd underestimated Velox.

Since Veloxhad lost in 4th place in a G3 race, I'd thought he wasn't ready for a G1 yet. If I had looked closer, I might have realized that his loss was only by a nose against Nishino Daisy who came in 3rd place in his next race, Hopeful Stakes, G1. This meant Velox could race in a G1 level, but it had slipped through.

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Caterpillar

1:44 p.m. Unbelievable news have come in today.

One is that Sciacchetra has been met with a critical fracture during his training for the coming-up Tenno-sho. Unfortunately, the horse has been euthanatized as there was no chance of recovery. The sudden death of Sciacchetra has been shocking especially, after the great performance in his previous race, Hanshin Dai-shoten. R.I.P.

The other news is about Almond Eye, that her trainer didn't enter her in the Arc. I took it for granted that she would, so was quite surprised yes, but respect the trainer's decision. It must have been a difficult decision and I admire his courage.

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Caterpillar

3:06 p.m. Right after I'd written about Sciacchetra, the news of Hishi Amazon came in. She was 28, passed with old age. It's funny how we think that our star horses live on forever when they actually don't. It feels like only yesterday when Hishi Amazon had performed a match race against that Narita Brian.

Today's horse race news revealed what might have been behind the scenes concerning Almond Eye's change in schedule. That her club owners might have wanted to have her run in domestic races because they had to pay for the expedition to France. Also that Almond Eye's breeder wanted to send in Saturnalia instead from a business perspective. Money, money, money. It's sad to think some people make decisions based on only money.

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Caterpillar

2:18 p.m. It's not a G1, but the barriers for Sunday's Yomiuri Milers' Cup has been announced so let's take a look.

Stormy Sea in post number 1, Pax Americana in 2, Indy Champ in 3, Mozu Ascot in 4, Koei Tkeru in 5, Danon Premium in 6, Toa Raijin in 7, Guanciale in 8, Keiai Nautique in 9, and Meisho Owara in 10.

It's a good draw for Pax Americana. Of course I remember him, he was my key horse in my first race this year, Kyoto Kinpai. I also remember it was My Style who blew my 150,000-yen triplet.

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Caterpillar

2:08 p.m. It's not a G1 but think I'll call Yomiuri Milers' Cup this week.

My key is Pax Americana. Having won Kyoto Kinpai, I'd trust his potential on Kyoto mile. On the wheel would be Indy Champ, Mozu Ascot, Danon Premium and Guanciale. Not easy, just simple.

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Caterpillar

9:28 p.m. I've been unable to stop grinning stupidly, now that Danon Premium has won Yomiuri Milers' Cup.

The reason? I can't tell until Yasuda Kinen is over, but you might easily guess from the past 10 years' results. He'd probably be favored assuming from today's win odds, possibly second favored after Almond Eye. However, he is very likely to turn into a booby trap. Tee-hee!

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Caterpillar

3:41 p.m. I'm not all that game when I think of the entrees but well, shall start my preparations for Tenno-sho.

Etario is the most favored as of now, no surprise there, followed by Fierement, no surprise here either. And Yuga (Kawada) won't be able to ride Glory Vase due to penalty, while no substitue rider has been announced yet, just for your information.

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Caterpillar

3:50 p.m. Reluctant as I was, I checked out the past 10 years' results of Tenno-sho (spring) to refresh my memory.

Meiner Kitz, Jaguar Mail, Meisho Dontag, Hiruno D'Amour, A Shin Flash, Beat Black (I always get him mixed up with Big Gold), Fenomeno, Hokko Brave, Fame Game, Rainbow Line, Clincher... All are familiar names that gave me blows after blows.

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Caterpillar

1:54 p.m. On the same day when Tenno-sho (spring) is run as the last G1 during Heisei, an international G1 is going to be held in Hong Kong. Gueen Elizabeth II Cup. Lys Gracieux, and Dierdre have entered this race, as well as my Win Bright.

Masami Matsuoka who has been riding Win Bright since the horse's debut says excitement is building up inside him. He has mentioned Win Bright can win a G1 all along and now the time has come. If you say so Matsuoka, I will leave it up to you. So make Win Bright a G1 horse and bring back that champion trophy!

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Caterpillar

2:47 p.m. The barriers for Tenno-sho had been announced. About time, I've been preparing while waiting in the hospital.

Chestnut Coat in post number 1, Etario in 2, Ridgeman in 3, Vosges in 4, Meisho Tekkon in 5, Kafuji Prince in 6, Glory Vase in 7, Perform A Promise in 8, You Can Smile in 9, Fierement in 10, Kento O in 11, Clincher in 12, and Lord Vent d'Or in 13. I understand about Sciacchetra, but isn't 13 horses too less for Tenno-sho?

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Caterpillar

2:38 p.m. What the hell happened!?

There has been a sudden change in the win odds. The most favored was Etario, followed by Fierement and You Can Smile only about 30 minutes ago. I'm positive since I was looking at the form at the time. But now Glory Vase has suddenly shot up to the 2nd favored, followed by Meisho Tekkon, pushing down Fierement to the 6th favored!

Were there any secret information passed around that perhaps Fierement is not in good condition? Must keep a watch on this.

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Caterpillar

2:23 p.m. bite-JAPAN has been pushed up to 2nd place in Air Ranking. Could this be the result of expectations, I wonder? I hope I can live up to it.

My key is Fierement, and it has been so for the past week. He's the only G1 winner in this race, as well as a Kikka-sho winner which is assuring considering the course and the distance. I would key him on trio on a wheel of Etario, Meisho Tekkon, Kafuji Prince and Perform A Promise. As for the trifecta, will key Fierement on 1st, Meisho Tekkon on 2nd, on a wheel of the others. Must make sure not to forget to buy trifectas of Fierement 1st, Meisho Tekkon 3rd.

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Caterpillar

9:18 p.m. Glory Vase... He nagged in my mind until the last minute...

But well, the good news is that my Win Bright has won Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong! Wow, great job well done, Matsuoka! You are a man of his words! Will get on home now to watch the video of the race again!

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Caterpillar

3:28 p.m. Am going out for a karaoke party with some friends from overseas spending their Easter vacation here in Japan. I�fll have to work on my daily project of writing articles before I go, though.

Tenno-sho review comes after that. Have tons of things to do as usual, but think I deserve to enjoy some off time with friends in between.

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Caterpillar

5:56 p.m. Okay, looking into the results of Tenno-sho now. The lap wasn't so tough as expected, I mean, it's a long run, it can't get that fast. Though it wasn't slow througuout the race.

The start was slow but not too slow, and then it literally lagged on the homestretch when the horses passed the stand on their first lap. This allowed the over-3,000-meters long distance race to become another instantaneous speed contest, a race most fit for Deep Impact descendants.

It's a huge disadvantage for Stay Gold, Heart's Cry descendants when it becomes a speed match from the last corner, as they perform better in tough races when the last 3 furlongs are run in more than 35 seconds. Staying way behind in such races is almost suicidal, something Mirco should have known.

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Caterpillar