Date: 14th August 2022
Race Type: Group 3
Track: Niigata Racecourse
Distance: 1600m
Prize Money: ¥87,960,000 (US$765,000)
The Sekiya Kinen is a Grade 3 horserace reserved for thoroughbreds aged three and above. The race runs over a distance of 1600m and takes place on the Niigata Racecourse. The Sekiya Kinen was won by Lotus Land in 2021.
The Sekiya Kinen has been taking place since 1966 but was granted a Grade 3 status in 1984. Initially, the race distance was 2000m, which was reduced to 1800m four years later, and in 1975, the distance was finally reduced to 1600m.
This year, the race is scheduled to take place on 14th August and has prize money of around $765,000, while the race winner gets $357,000 from the purse.
Among the line-up, prominent runners include Win Carnelian, the favourite and winner of the Yonago Stakes and Tanigawadake Stakes in June and May, respectively. Another strong runner on the field will be Air Fanditha, the winner of the Rakuyo Stakes in February 2022. While the recent runs haven’t been very favourable for the runner, it remains to be seen how he fares at the Sekiya Kinen on Sunday.
Another notable entrant to watch out for is Elusive Panther, the favourite to win in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen but finished in 8th place. The horse won the Tokoyu Shimbun Hai in February and November Stakes last year.
