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Three Americans accept Japan Cup Dirt invitations
Jess Jackson, principal owner of Horse of the Year and Dubai World Cup romper Curlin (Smart Strike), had mentioned the Japan Cup Dirt as a possible target earlier this year. He has not worked since his fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic, however, and his future remains undetermined. Bred, owned and trained by Bobby Frankel, Mast Track has had a tough time since his Hollywood Gold Cup score. Third in the Pacific Classic (G1), the four-year-old bay wound up eighth in the Goodwood S. (G1) and battled a quarter-crack in advance of his fifth-place effort in the October 25 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Frost Giant began his career with Aidan O'Brien in Ireland, where he captured the Killavullan S. (Ire-G3) and Kilternan S. (Ire-G3). Privately acquired by a partnership spearheaded by IEAH Stables in late 2006, the chestnut was transferred to Richard Dutrow. Frost Giant raced only once in 2007 but reached career-best form this season when garnering the Suburban. In his only subsequent start, he was eased in the September 7 Northern Dancer S. (Can-G1) on yielding turf at Woodbine. New York-bred sophomore Tin Cup Chalice boasts an eight-for-nine career mark. The first horse to sweep the Big Apple Triple of the Mike Lee S., New York Derby and Albany S., the Michael Lecesse pupil suffered his first defeat when just missing by a neck in the Step Nicely S. at Belmont. The gelding rebounded next time out in the Indiana Derby, scoring in trademark front-running style in his graded debut. The Japan Cup Dirt represents a quantum leap in class, for he will be tackling older stakes foes for the first time. According to japanracing.jp, more international horses may still accept invitations to the Japan Cup Dirt.
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