Japan nails Crystal Ocean in Juddmonte

Improving 3-year-old, Japan, nailed his superior, Crystal Ocean, in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York racecourse, on Wednesday.

This tightly fought win, ensures him a guaranteed start in the 2019 Breeders' Cup Classic.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge is an international series of 86 stakes races, whose victors receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Santa Anita Park, in Arcadia, California, Nov 1-2.

As part of benefits of the Challenge series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Japan to start in the Breeders' Cup Classic, which will be run at 1 ¼ miles on dirt. Breeders' Cup will also provide a $40,000 travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.

BERTH

Japan becomes the sixth horse to gain a berth this year, joining Inti, Seeking the Soul, Maximum Security, McKinzie, and, Higher Power.

Japan (5-1), trained by Aidan O'Brien for Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor, began the year as his stable's leading Investec Derby (G1) candidate and even though his preparation was interrupted by a minor setback that delayed his comeback until 16 days before the Epsom Classic, he finished third, half a length behind stablemate, Anthony Van Dyck.

He confirmed his prowess with just a neck over Crystal Ocean, the Longines IFHA highest rated horse on earth.

PACEMAKER

Ridden prominently from the outset, he engaged early in the straight with pacemaker, Circus Maximus, to take the lead with over two furlongs to run.

When Japan caught up, it was a nail-biter before giving way. Elarqam and King Of Comedy filled the next spots.

Japan, a bay son of Galileo (IRE) out of the Danehill mare Shastye (IRE), completed the about 1 ¼ miles in 2:07.77 over a course listed as good, securing a sixth success in the Juddmonte for O'Brien, equalling the record held by Sir Michael Stoute.