Date: 25th September 2022
Race Type: Grade 2
Track: Nakayama Racecourse
Distance: 2200m (Turf)
Prize Money: ¥145,120,000 (US$1,262,000)
The Sankei Sho All Comers is a Grade 2 race open to thoroughbred runners age three and above, with a 2 kg weight allowance for fillies and mares. The race is held at Nakayama Racecourse and has a distance of 2.2km on the turf racetrack at Nakayama.
This time, the race is being held on 25th September and has total prize money of US$1,262,000, from which the winner will take US$583,000. In 2021, Win Marilyn won the race.
The Sankei Sho All Comers was introduced in 1955 as a principle race. It was promoted to a Grade 3 status in 1984, while the distance was also increased to 2000m. In 1995, the race was promoted to a Grade 2 status, and later the distance was increased to 2200m.
Sankei Sho All Comers serves as a trial run for the Tenno Sho, the longest Grade 1 race held in Japan. It has a distance of 3200m and is held in spring and autumn.
During the last ten years, favourite milers have delivered thrice. Last year Win Marilyn was the second favourite, after coming in third place in the Sapporo Kinen in August 2021.
Favourites for the race can be strong milers with good recent forms in 2000m runs. A good example would be Weltreisende, the winner of Grade 3 Naruo Kinen held in June at Chukyo Racecourse. The runner improved his spot from the second favourite to secure first place in the 2000m race.
Another strong contender with good recent form is Daring Tact. The five-year-old finished third in the 2200m Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen, held in June earlier this year at Hanshin Racecourse.