Runners in the ¥1,085,000,000 (approximately US$7.18 million) Arima Kinen (G1) are chosen by fans.
Voting results for the 69th running of Japan's year-end championship race at Nakayama Racecourse Dec. 22 were announced by the JRA Dec. 5. Masaaki Matsushima's Do Deuce tops the ballot with 478,415 votes—the highest number in history.
Bred by Northern Farm and trained by Yasuo Tomomichi, Do Deuce won the Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) at 2, Japanese Derby (G1) at 3, and Arima Kinen at 4. Although he lost his form earlier this year when fifth in the Dubai Turf (G1) at Meydan March 30, and sixth in Takarazuka Kinen (G1) at Kyoto June 23, he bounced back this autumn to win the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1) at Tokyo Oct. 27 and the Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo Nov. 24.
Do Deuce will try to become the fifth back-to-back winner of the Arima Kinen and earn a bonus of ¥200,000,000, (US$1.32 million), which is available to a horse who sweeps the Tenno Sho Autumn, Japan Cup, and Arima Kinen in a single season.
The connections already have announced that the Arima Kinen will be the final career start of Do Deuce, who will begin his stud career at Shadai Stallion Station next spring. The farewell ceremony will be conducted at Nakayama Racecourse Dec. 22 after the races.
