3:01 p.m. As you can see from the successfully uploaded "Murmur," Cow has finally regained connection to the server through FTP software after nearly 3 hours of struggle.

Cow and I have been trying and retrying setting up the FTP software despite our countless times of failures. Of course I went searching on the web to seek for help and came across one line in some blog mentioning that the password to set on the FTP was supposed to be the same as the password to log in to the server. We had been setting up using our initial password which we probabaly had changed along the way in the past decade...

We've reset the password and wa-la! Connection has been established. Give me back my 3 hours, will you?

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Caterpillar

2:03 p.m. While Diedre has been gathering attention overseas by winning the Nassau Stakes (G1), JRA has announced the barrier draw for Kokura Kinen.

Currently most favored Mer de Glace has drawn post number 8, Ice storm 5,and Ice Bubble, 2. Looks like these names are suggesting some sort of "ice"e; link, though of course this race wouldn't finish with just the top three favored horses. Why? Because it's Kokura Kinen.

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3:18 p.m. I have been upgrading the OS on my own lap-top, too while fighting cold symptoms and heat wave at the same time. What I want to say is that I wasn't in a proper condition to digest all my work and call the race. Still, I've done the best I can do for Kokura Kinen.

I would key Ice Storm on a wheel of Retro Rock, Mer de Glace and Cadenas. With the opening week of Kokura under this weather, I can easily imagine a Deep Impact descendant fever.

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Caterpillar

7:13 p.m. I fell asleep and didn't go running. It was too hot anyway. My call for Kokura Kinen had also missed in the sense that Yutaka stayed in the middle, not going up front.

As Mer de Glace won, he would probably be entering some mid-range G1 this fall but it won't be easy to win. Almond Eye would be there and she's a tough horse to beat.

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Caterpillar

2:52 p.m. Everyone enjyoing summer vacation? I'm only assuming from the ranking that the O-bon vacation has started, hoping you're all having a break from modern, busy life.

The fact that Hayayakko won the Leopard Stakes yesterday was sensational in a sense that he became the first albino thouroughbred to win a grade race in Japan. Though personally, the result of this race only seemed to hi-light the high performance of Chrysoberyl who had left Delma Louvre (Leopard Stakes 2nd place winner) 3 lengths behind in Japan Dirt D'erby.

Anyway, take care everyone. This heat seems to go on for a while.

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Caterpillar

3:25 p.m. The main race for this week would be Sekiya Kinen in Niigata, but I'm not going to call it. I never liked Sekiya Kinen since it was run on Nakayama, and I don't like it now either.

My interest already flies to Sapporo Kinen a week ahead. I was thinking about the members when I came across the news that Roger Barows has been detected of an injury.

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Caterpillar

6:06 p.m. It has been announced by the trainer of Roger Barows that an echo check has revealed DFT (digital flexor tendinitis) in the left foreleg of Roger Barows and after a discussion with its owner, retirement has been decided considering post-Deep Impact.

Deep Impact descendants have generally been susceptible against injuries, and I remember worrying about Roger Barows getting hurt after I'd seen his high performance and the race racord at this year's D'erby. What I feared has unfortunately come true.

In other words, that gives us another one down from our list of the Arc challengers which leaves only Fierement and Kiseki. Blast Onepiece, I don't think will try after that miserable loss of Meguro Kinen.

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Caterpillar

(THU) August 8th, 2019

6:41 p.m. Have caught cold again or rather, hadn't fully recovered from the last one yet. It's good I could stay home for the O-bon vacation. Not that I could rest with the 24/7 radio noise.

I've dragged myself out to get a 300-yen mouse at the nearest Daiso, because the touchpad of my old lap-top is not even recognized on this upgraded Windows10. Microsoft and Dell both seem to turn a blind eye to a long-time user as myself since neither of them have released any files to fix this problem. Humph.

Also as a long-time fan, I would love to see Shinji Kawashima win a Sekiya Kinen with Mieno Succeed. However, her rivals are not easy to beat.

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Caterpillar

6:37 p.m. Pulled up the top page of netkeiba.com to check out the barrier draw for Elm Stakes and the top news reports Win Bright is ranked number 1 for the first 6 month's JPN Thoroughbred Ranking. Yay.

Grimm has drawn post number 12 while Mozu Attraction drew 4 and Lien Verite, 14. Grimm is the most favored of course, and I guess it couldn't be helped from the past results that horses that go up front is more closer to winning this race. It's going to be a game of guessing right which horse he tows along.

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Caterpillar

3:37 p.m. Am at work place although I'm supposed to be enjoying my vacation... Well, since I'm here I'll write about my call for Elm Stakes.

I would have to key Grimm. I can't help it. He's outstanding considering the competitors. On the wheel would be Dream Kirari, Mozu Attraction, Time Flyer (just in case) and Highland Peak. Dream Kirari and Highland Peak has already performed well on Sapporo dirt 1700m. I wonder why they're not so favored?

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Caterpillar

4:35 p.m. I've been wanting to wash my sneakers for a couple of months now and have finally completed the task. It took more time than I'd expected and as a result, I've missed the Elm Stakes. Some time after I turned on the TV, the screen showed the result of the race with my key horse Grimm nowhere to be seen.

Dream Kirari weren't in the top 5 either, so I guess that means the lap went too fast for the two. Will have to go to JRA's official website to check out the video.

I made it in time for the Sekiya Kinen. Mieno Succeed had done her best but Christophe just wouldn't let an easy win pass by. Come on, you don't know what hardships Shinji Kawashima has been through! Show some mercy, Christophe!

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Caterpillar

9:15 p.m. There's no time to bicker about Elm Stakes, though. Sapporo Kinen is coming up next with an amazing gathering of top horses, such as Fierement, Wagnerian, Sungrazer and Crocosmia. Oops, Blast Onepiece, too.

I'm sure Fierement would be the most favored, but the odds are going to be split. It will also become an interesting race as a step for the fall G1 series.

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Caterpillar

3:24 p.m. I've checked out the past results of Sapporo Kinen. Basically, it seems to be on the favored side unless the most favored has obvious damage from G1 races, like Logo Type or Toho Jackal. Harpstar was a 3-year-old and must have had some damage from her classic races, but the shortened distance was rather to her advantage and she was in the "concentrated stage" of a Deep Impact descendant, a time one should not go against. Additionally, her weight was 54kg. Fillies seem to have advantage, thanks to the weight.

This year, the most favored would probably be Fierement, a 4-year-old as well as a Deep Impact descendant who still seems to be in its "concentrated stage," so perhaps I shouldn't go against him. But the thing is, when does this "concentrated stage" end?

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Caterpillar

6:13 p.m. My upgraded version of Windows10 has been such a nuisance. It has not only been eating up the RAM memory more than it should, but also downloading and installing Windows Update on its own. No wonder my lap-top's response was delayed. How dare you, Windows10! Not without MY permission!

Am willing to go through a thorough search to make the burden of my poor little lap-top at least a little less. She's mounted with only 4GB of RAM memory, you know.

In the meantime, Gran Alegria has been announced to switch to short distance races entering Sprinters' Stakes as a step for Mile Championship, while the win odds are beginning to split for Sapporo Kinen. Go, split.

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Caterpillar

5:22 p.m. The last day of my O-bon recess. Horse race news reports that Blast Onepiece has performed well in training, leaving a 3-year-old 500 million class partner 1 length behind. Wow, what an outstanding performance against a lower-class horse!

Though I can't simply ignore this bastard because he's performed well in the past when shortening the distance. Besides, his new rider Kawada probably won't take the position in tha back like Ikezoe had, or it won't make sense to change the rider. Better keep a watch on him.

Taking in account the course of the typhoon, the track might become soft. Perhaps a horse like Crocosmia may be an interesting option in that case however, she might still have left-over damage from Victoria Mile.

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Caterpillar

1:49 p.m. Back to work, checking out the barrier draw for Sapporo Kinen.

Fierement drew post number 9, Wagnerian drew 12, and Blast Onepiece 1. If Lord Vent d'Or takes the lead and the lap slackens like 2017, Blast Onepiece would have the advantage of the barrier draw. Don't think Christophe would let him get away with it without a fight, though.

Just noticed that Lord Vent d'Or's rider was Yokoyama Jr., not his dad. The lap might not slacken, then.

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Caterpillar

2:28 p.m. Okay, I've done my best with calling Sapporo Kinen and I'm planning to buy tickets, of course.

To cut the long story short, I keyed Wagnerian and cut out Blast Onepiece. Will fix Wagnerian on the 1st place of a trifecta wheel with Fierement and Sungrazer on 2nd, Fierement, Sungrazer, Persian Knight and Sakura Empereur on 3rd. Will not buy Fierement - Wagnerian or Fierement - Sungrazer since the payout would not be enough to satisfy me.

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Caterpillar

4:12 p.m. So I should have stayed on the alert for Blast Onepiece...

Yuichi's decision to go up front was right and I think he did a good job but well, nothing could be done against horses that breaks out from the inside. Also have to admit Kawada had done a great job in sticking along the rail. Since he had the inner post, the best was to stick to the rail and wait till the right moment to break through. As for Fierement, 3rd place was included in their plan, so no problem. It only shows that his performance will improve in his next race.

I admit my faults, it's just that I don't like Blast Onepiece winning.

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Caterpillar

4:27 p.m. It seems I'm always a bit late. I remembered only this morning, that post numbers 1 and 2 were the lucky posts in Sapporo Kinen. This is probably because the horses starting from outer posts are forced on the loss in distance. In fact, horses starting from posts either 1 or 2 have all finished within 3rd place in tha past 3 years and, Blast Onepiece started from post number 1 this year.

Another thing I realized too late was that Kawada possibly was not asked to ride Kiseki in the Arc. If so, he would have to make the best out of Blast Onepiece in order to ride in the Arc. That's why he took the safest option to win Sapporo Kinen. I forgot there was a certain difference between "Kawada quality" and " Ikezoe quality."

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Caterpillar

3:46 p.m. After Sapporo Kinen, the summer races shift to sprint races and grade races for 2-year-olds. Older horses start to prepare for the upcoming G1 races in the fall, and step races will start running from the first week of September.

This week Keenland Cup will be run in Sapporo, which is now a minor step race for the first autumn G1 race, Sprinters' Stakes. I should check it out regardless of whether I'm interested or not.

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Caterpillar

2:36 p.m. Over the sea Cheval Grand is up to his next challenge in International Stakes, held in York, U.K.

The race will be run around 11:35 tonight Japan Time and I will probably be on my way home from a karaoke party with my friends. Carrying 60kg weight will not be easy for Cheval, though the extended distance from his previous race and the small number of competitors can become a follow wind. Good luck, ol' boy!

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Caterpillar

3:48 p.m. Unfortunately, Cheval Grand has sunk in 8th place. The lap must have been too slow for him, judging from the positions of Japan and Crystal Ocean.

But there's been a big news involving the Arc. Yutaka Take is going to ride Bloom in the Arc! Bloom is a 3-year-old trained by A. O'brien and has come in 4th place in the U.K. D'erby. Now this is going to be quite exciting!

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Caterpillar

4:59 p.m. The barriers for Keenland Cup has been announced, so let's take a look. Danon Smash drew post number 13, Tower Of London drew 7, and Linate drew 16. It depends on the lap but Yutaka might have a hard time with Linate, drawing the outmost barrier.

Meanwhile there's been news about Goldship's first generation who's entering the Sapporo 2-sai Stakes held next week. His name is Satono Gold. I'm personally not fond of the owner, though would love to see the horse race.

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Caterpillar

2:54 p.m. Even though I'm not good at sprint races, that doesn't mean I could turn around and run away from them. If I don't overcome what I'm not good at, I'll never become good at something.

So here's my call for Keenland Cup. It's annoying just to think Kawada is going to do well but will key Danon Smash, all things considered. On the wheel would be Tower Of London which is also annoying, Aster Pegasus, and Linate. I would love to add Happy Hour, just because of his trainer.

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Caterpillar

5:42 p.m. The payout was low as I'd expected... To be honest, I hadn't taken the track condition into account and thought maybe I should have added Dea Regalo, but well, that turned out to be unnecessary.

Judging from the result, the soft track condition did advantage Danon Smash and Linate after all. Anyway, a win is a win.

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Caterpillar

3:34 p.m. The main race this weekend among the three race tracks Sapporo, Niigata and Kokura, would probably be Niigata Kinen, the one Blast Onepiece won last summer.

This year it's gathering attention because Leyenda, Rey de Oro's younger brother is entered. However, my attention is on Sapporo Nisai Stakes where two of Gold Ship's descendants, Satono Gold and Blackhole are appearing. It's one of the many enjoyments of horse race to see your favorite horses's children run on turf.

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Caterpillar

3:41 p.m. Apart from my attention, I would call Niigata Kinen this week. One reason is that it's a grade race for older horses, not 2-year-olds. My piled up datum will be of use in older horse races.

Another reason is that I was able to figure out Blast Onepiece would win last year. If I could do that last year, I might well be able to do it again.

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Caterpillar

2:20 p.m. Wagnerian's autumn plans have been annuonced that he'd be entering Tenno-sho, then Japan Cup. Suave Richard has also been announced to start his autumn races from Tenno-sho yesterday. There are horses coming to Tenno-sho from All-Comer like my Win Bright, and must not forget that Almond Eye is waiting to stretch her legs.

Given that, Tenno-sho would have quite a line-up of great horses! On the other hand, I wonder how Etario is doing?

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Caterpillar

4:46 p.m. Aaaand today, Makahiki has been announced to enter Tenno-sho.

Looking more exciting, isn't it. Though I still wonder what became of Etario as I haven't had the time to look up on him.

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Caterpillar

4:45 p.m. The barriers for Niigata Kinen has been announced. Leyenda has drawn post number 9, while You Can Smile drew 7 and Cadenas drew 6. The top three favored horses have all gathered around the middle.

I've been checking the weather in Niigata all through the week thinking that there might be a chance for Clincher if the track becomes soft. The forecast had been showing umbrella marks until yesterday, but now it has turned to sunny marks and it's raining here in Tokyo instead.

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Caterpillar

4:58 p.m. The odds seem to be moving. Around noon when I checked it, Centelleo had been the 2nd favored followed by Cadenas while You Can Smile hovered somewhere around 6th or 7th. Now, You Can Smile has jumped up to 2nd favored and Centelleo has dropped to 6th.

Will key Leyenda to play it safe, though I'm not quite sure if this is actually a safe option. On the wheel would be Satono Kingdom (lucky draw), Acuto, Franz and Centelleo. I'm thinking it would be an instantaneous force contest.

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Caterpillar