2024 Japan Cup: One-line assessments

Saturday night’s 44th running of the Japan Cup (G1) has attracted a terrific international cast of 14, including European celebrities Auguste Rodin and Goliath.

Carded as the 12th race at Tokyo, the Japan Cup is set to go off at 1:40 a.m. ET overnight Saturday into early Sunday morning.

Here’s a one-liner for each contender, in post position order. For more details, check out the in-depth preview on Brisnet.com.

#1 Goliath – The one to beat as the devastating winner of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1), easily dispatching the likes of Bluestocking, Rebel’s Romance, and Auguste Rodin.

#2 Blow the Horn – Winner of the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) arguably benefited from yielding turf that day and has questions to answer after his prep flop.

#3 Do Deuce – Early favorite, a former champion juvenile and 2022 Japanese Derby (G1) winner, delivered an electric late rally in the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1). 

#4 Justin Palace – Pair of placings in 2023 to world champion Equinox put this Group 1 veteran squarely in the mix.

#5 Struve – Upwardly-mobile type can be forgiven his poor run in the Takarazuka Kinen in light of the ground, but he remains with something to prove at this level.

#6 Danon Beluga – Difficult to envision how the 1800-meter specialist improves on his losses in the past two Japan Cups.

#7 Shin Emperor – Better-than-appears third-place efforts in this year’s Japanese Derby and Irish Champion (G1) hint of longshot potential.

#8 Auguste Rodin – Six-time Grade/Group 1-winning son of Japanese legend Deep Impact hopes that optimal conditions will set the stage for a triumphant career finale. 

#9 Cervinia – Leading three-year-old filly has claims as an impressive winner of two classics, although she’d be only the third member of her demographic to win this.

#10 Durezza – Victor of last year’s Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1) sports intriguing collateral form as the fifth-placer in the Juddmonte International (G1) at York.

#11 Karate – Appears totally out of his depth.

#12 Sol Oriens – Last year’s Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (G1) winner and Japanese Derby near-misser hasn’t been as effective since.

#13 Fantastic Moon – Two-time German Group 1 star will get his preferred firm turf.

#14 Stars on Earth – Former champion filly and dual classic heroine is entitled to factor if back to her best, as exemplified by her third to Equinox here a year ago. 

Enjoy the Japan Cup!