Horse Racing: Ōsaka Hai

On the books, three-time G1 winner Efforia towers above the competition in the expected field of 16 for this Sunday's (3 April) G1 Osaka Hai (2000m). Returning from his winning run in the G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) on 26 December, Efforia takes on his fifth start over 2000m, but it will be his first time at Hanshin and there's new talent on the…

On Sunday, veteran poise and decades of racing experience were on display as Take surveyed his surroundings and handled the rapid test of speed with aplomb. Finishing a neck's length behind Stars on Earth was Danon the Kid, who was piloted by Kazuo Yokoyama. His father, Norihiro Yokoyama, rode Matenro Leon to a fourth-place finish. Maria Elena…

A good many of Japan's best middle-distance gallopers not named Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) are among a 16-strong field that was drawn Friday for the G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin Racecourse. And while the reigning Horse of the Year and towering G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic winner is recovering from his trip to the Middle East, a few of those…