Photo by: Hollywood Park

Trainer Masaaki Koga Jockey Victor Espinoza Owner Masamitsu Terauchi Breeder Masamitsu Terauchi Recent Race History Date Race Finish 05.21 Japanese Oaks (GI) 3rd 04.09 Japanese 1000 Guineas (GI) 4th 03.11 Annemone Stakes 1st

Starter Analysis

The Japanese filly Asahi Rising has been one of the top stories leading up to the American Oaks; primarily, can she duplicate the dominant display that her countrymate Cesario displayed last year? As talented as she may be, it's difficult to put her in the same class as Cesario at this point. Her three victories show only one stakes win among them, and that was in a listed event. She has shown improvement in her last two, beaten less than two lengths in a pair of Grade One Japanese races. Her overseas form indicates pretty strongly that she likes to be on the lead, which could find her battling from the get-go with morning line favorite Attima. Love the sporting nature of the Japanese connections to come so far to take a shot, but the feeling is that she going to get a less than ideal trip. Opening price of 5-1 is a little low; look for her to drift up slightly.

Pedigree Analysis :: Bay filly, 3; by Royal Touch - Asahi Mercury (Minagawa Manna)

Asahi Rising is by the Sunday Silence stallion Royal Touch.