Starine wrote: ↑Sat Jun 01, 2019 8:15 pm
Why
are they running her at a mile? Just because it's a prestigious race?
Good point.
Let me try to explain it.
Almond Eye's biggest goals this year are supposed to be the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1 2000m at Tokyo in October, JPY 150 million for winner) and the Japan Cup (G1 2400m at Tokyo in November, JPY 300 million for winner), while another overseas trip still remains a possibility.
One may say that she is now just prepping for her main goals that are set for later this year.
In the first half of the year, there only remain two G1 races that are available for her.
http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/schedul ... penTab=Jun
As you may see in the above link....
One is the G1 Yasuda Kinen, for 3yo&up, 1600m turf at Tokyo, JPY 110 million for winner
The other is the G1 Takarazuka Kinen, fans' dream race for 3yo&up, 2200m turf at Hanshin, JPY 150 million for winner.
So I don't think that her connections chose Yasuda over Takarazuka becuase of either the prestige or the purse.
They must have believed that Almond Eye could win the Yasuda rather comfortably handling the shorter distance, without risking hitting her bottom.
Other point could be that Tokyo turf tends to be firmer and less tiring than Hanshin Turf.
Now let's see if they made a right decision!!
Does she have the speed to beat the boys at a mile on the rock hard turf?
This is going to be an interesting race.
May they all come home safely. 
)