2026 Belmont Stakes: Post Positions, Contenders, and Fair Odds
The 2026 Belmont Stakes, the final jewel of the Triple Crown, is set to take place on June 6 at Saratoga Race Course. With the post-position...
Calandagan is the top-rated horse globally, holding the Longines World's Best Racehorses Ranking and Cartier Horse of the Year title.
He has won three straight Group 1 races: the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Qipco Champion Stakes.
Japanese horses have dominated the Japan Cup since 2005. No foreign horse has placed in the top three since 2006.
Key contenders include Yushun Himba (Japanese Derby) winners Croix du Nord (2025), Danon Decile (2024), and Tastiera (2023).
Why this matters: Calandagan's participation challenges Japanese dominance and offers a high-stakes betting opportunity for racing enthusiasts. His performance could redefine international participation in the Japan Cup.
Calandagan's presence in the Japan Cup marks a significant challenge to the home-country dominance in this prestigious race. Despite trainer Francis-Henri Graffard acknowledging the difficulty of competing against Japanese horses on their turf, Calandagan's credentials position him as a formidable contender.
The field includes notable competitors such as Croix du Nord, Danon Decile, and Tastiera. Danon Decile previously defeated Calandagan in the Sheema Classic, adding another layer of intrigue to the race.
Betting Strategy:
For those looking to bet on the race, America's Best Racing suggests focusing on exotic bets like the exacta and trifecta. Logical horses to consider behind Calandagan include Masquerade Ball, Croix du Nord, and longshot Sunrise Earth.
$4 exacta: Calandagan with Croix du Nord, Masquerade Ball, and Sunrise Earth ($12).
$1 trifecta: Calandagan with Croix du Nord, Masquerade Ball, and Sunrise Earth, with Croix du Nord, Masquerade Ball, and Sunrise Earth ($6).
Q: Who is Calandagan?
Calandagan is the world's top-rated horse, known for winning multiple Group 1 races in Europe.
Q: When and where is the Japan Cup?
The Japan Cup takes place on Sunday, Nov. 30, at Tokyo Racecourse.
Q: Which Japanese horses are Calandagan facing?
He is competing against three Japanese Derby winners: Croix du Nord, Danon Decile, and Tastiera.
The Japan Cup presents a compelling international horse racing event with Calandagan aiming to break the Japanese horses' long-standing winning streak. Key actions for readers:
Stay Informed: Follow racing updates on [UPI.com?ref=yanuki.com target="_blank"](https://www.upi.com?ref=yanuki.com) and [America's Best Racing's TikTok?ref=yanuki.com target="_blank"](https://www.tiktok.com?ref=yanuki.com) and [Instagram?ref=yanuki.com target="_blank"](https://www.instagram.com?ref=yanuki.com) accounts for complete coverage.
Consider Betting Strategies: Explore exotic bets, focusing on horses like Masquerade Ball, Croix du Nord, and Sunrise Earth to place behind Calandagan.
Acknowledge the Challenge: Understand the historical dominance of Japanese horses in the Japan Cup and the significance of Calandagan's attempt to break this trend.
Do you think Calandagan will break the Japanese horses' winning streak? Share your predictions below!
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