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Calandagan Takes on Japanese Derby Winners in Japan Cup | Mikal Bridges Struggles with Inconsistency, Plagued by Foul Trouble | Nazar's PPG Wins It in Overtime: Blackhawks Beat Mammoth | Pacers-Clippers Trade: Mathurin and Zubac's Impact | Troy Wins Sun Belt Tournament, Earns NCAA Berth | RMU Men's Hockey Advances to AHA Semifinals After Tense Series | Oregon State Basketball: The End of the Wayne Tinkle Era | Mexico vs. USA: Intense Rivalry at the World Baseball Classic 2026 | Italy vs. Great Britain in 2026 World Baseball Classic: Espresso-Fueled Victory | Calandagan Takes on Japanese Derby Winners in Japan Cup | Mikal Bridges Struggles with Inconsistency, Plagued by Foul Trouble | Nazar's PPG Wins It in Overtime: Blackhawks Beat Mammoth | Pacers-Clippers Trade: Mathurin and Zubac's Impact | Troy Wins Sun Belt Tournament, Earns NCAA Berth | RMU Men's Hockey Advances to AHA Semifinals After Tense Series | Oregon State Basketball: The End of the Wayne Tinkle Era | Mexico vs. USA: Intense Rivalry at the World Baseball Classic 2026 | Italy vs. Great Britain in 2026 World Baseball Classic: Espresso-Fueled Victory

Sports / Horse Racing

Calandagan Takes on Japanese Derby Winners in Japan Cup

The 45th Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse features Calandagan, the world's top-rated horse, against three Japanese Derby winners. This race caps a busy weekend of racing and has a purse of approximately $7.2 million. Calandagan, repres...

What to Know About and How to Watch the 2025 Japan Cup
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Calandagan Takes on Japanese Derby Winners in Japan Cup Image via BloodHorse

Key Insights

  • 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).

In-Depth Analysis

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).

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FAQ

Who is Calandagan?

Calandagan is the world's top-rated horse, known for winning multiple Group 1 races in Europe.

When and where is the Japan Cup?

The Japan Cup takes place on Sunday, Nov. 30, at Tokyo Racecourse.

Which Japanese horses are Calandagan facing?

He is competing against three Japanese Derby winners: Croix du Nord, Danon Decile, and Tastiera.

Takeaways

Discussion

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Disclaimer

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