Another big G1 race coming to us from Tokyo next Sat/Sun when 21 three year old fillies will compete in the Japanese Oaks.

The prohibitive favorite is Liberty Island, the filly who swooped from last to first in the Oka Sho on April 9.  The early betting says she is a lock but we all know by now that there are no locks in horse racing.  I have done no handicapping yet but there is time.

Here is the field without any scratches:

https://en.netkeiba.com/race/shutuba.html?race_id=202305021011

Developing some interest in Kona Coast who ran 2nd to Liberty Island [currently below 2/1] in the Oka Sho by 3/4 of a length.  She is now just over 10/1 and is getting a rider upgrade to Damien Lane. 

I would say at this point Kona Coast is a live overlay.

There are bombs galore in this field but I just want to play for the win.   

Hoo boy, Liberty Island is primed for a very big effort and will be prohibitive chalk and the deserving favorite.  She worked a sub 1:11 well within herself earlier in the week.  Race week.  That's wild.

There are 18 entered and the next betting choice is Harper at 9/1 getting Lemaire and Kona Coast has been inching up. Was 10/1 earrlier in the week and is now 13/1.  Every other entry is forget about it pricing.  I'm not a stabber so I cannot sort them out.

My intuition is telling me to stay out of this one and watch Liberty Island win.  She is mighty.

Liberty Island leaves no doubt as she runs away with The Japanese Oaks.  I believe Harper, the actual 2nd choice in the betting ran 2nd.  

Well worth watching her turn it on and stride effortlessly away to the wire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K2D8rMYDGU&t=4s

That was like watching the equine equivalent of Bernie Williams running down a fly ball.You wonder if he can get to the ball and when all is said and done he catches it while slowing down.Decent pace throughout but she was in total control.Effortless.

Bernie Williams is a good comparison.  Very deceptive when covering the acreage in centerfield at the Stadium.  I was such a baseball nut as a kid in the Mickey Mantle era.  I remember vividly my first trip to Yankee Stadium and coming through the tunnel to catch my first sight of the huge, immaculate field. Just amazed.

LIberty Island's  connections want to complete the Triple Tiara but they are talking about taking on the best older horses later in the year.  A possible matchup with Equinox could turn out to be the race of the year.

I think if she had been entered in next week's Japanese Derby she would have given the boys all they could handle and then some.