Croix Du Nord arrives at Sunday's JPY651 million G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) at Hanshin Racecourse carrying the weight of history. Victory would make the Takashi Saito-trained colt the first horse to complete Japan's older-horse spring Triple Crown, having already claimed the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) in April and the G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in May. The feat would also surpass the achievements of his sire Kitasan Black, who won the same two races in 2017 before finishing ninth in the Takarazuka Kinen.

Saito reports his charge in good order heading into Sunday's assignment. Croix Du Nord worked 1200m over Ritto's woodchip course, recording 1m 24.1s overall with a 36.9s final 600m, including 11.6s for the closing 200m. The trainer acknowledged the colt returned from his Tenno Sho Spring campaign — won by a nose over Wurttemberg — in need of freshening rather than recovery.

"He went to the farm after that and came back to the stable on May 20. More than being tired, he was just a bit loose," Saito said. "But he's coming on for his work and should be in good condition just before the race." The trainer identified the key variable plainly: "What matters is just tightening him up a little in body and mind."

The Rivals

Last year's Takarazuka Kinen winner Meisho Tabaru is the most obvious threat. He surged clear by three lengths in that edition and finished second to Croix Du Nord in the Osaka Hai after attempting to make all, only to be reeled in late. The rematch carries obvious intrigue.

Three-time Group 1 winner Regaleira, a daughter of Suave Richard, resumes after finishing fourth in her Arima Kinen defence. Christophe Lemaire takes the ride — the same partnership that won the 2023 G1 Hopeful Stakes (2000m) on the mare.

Danon Decile, the 2024 G1 Tokyo Yushun winner, has been consistently placed without winning since his G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) success in 2025, finishing third in each of his last three starts — the Japan Cup, Arima Kinen and Osaka Hai. Trainer Shogo Yasuda pointed to misfortune as a factor last time out. "He got a bit squeezed with horses losing speed and going back through the field, and was quite unlucky at the fourth corner," Yasuda said, adding that Danon Decile had shown improved balance compared to his Arima Kinen run.

Museum Mile, the 2025 G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) champion, was spelled after that win and returns under Damian Lane seeking a third Group 1 victory.

Whether any of them can deny Croix Du Nord his place in the record books will be answered at Hanshin on Sunday.