Although both races have potential implications for the U.S. scene, their more immediate impact might well come on Dubai World Cup night, March 28.

W Heart Bond became only the second female to win the race formerly known as the Japan Cup Dirt.

The Champions Cup (G1) at Chukyo on Sunday (1:40 a.m. ET) features a pair of exciting sophomores in Godolphin's Narukami and Japan Road winner Luxor Cafe.

The Aga Khan Studs’ homebred Calandagan outdueled favored Masquerade Ball, becoming the first international shipper to prevail in 20 years.

European superstar Calandagan takes on a home team including the past three Japanese Derby (G1) winners in the Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo late Saturday night.

Jantar Mantar rediscovered his old brilliance in Sunday’s Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo, a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

Sunday’s Victoria Mile (G1) turned into a frenetic cavalry charge at Tokyo, and 3-2 favorite Ascoli Piceno just got up in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge event.

Jockey Rachel King had a banner day at Tokyo on Sunday, winning both stakes with U.S. racing implications.

Japanese star Forever Young scored his first internationally recognized Group 1 victory in Sunday’s Tokyo Daishoten (G1) at Oi.

The showdown between American shipper May Day Ready and local favorite Brown Ratchet never materialized in Sunday’s Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Kyoto.

Godolphin’s Lemon Pop concluded his stellar career with a repeat victory in Sunday’s Champions Cup (G1) at Chukyo, just lasting by a nose from the rallying Wilson Tesoro.

Fourth in last year’s Japan Cup (G1) to world champion Equinox, favored Do Deuce spearheaded a clean sweep for the home team in Sunday’s renewal at Tokyo.

If Auguste Rodin can put an exclamation point on his glittering career in Sunday’s Japan Cup (G1), the Aidan O’Brien trainee would furnish two major storylines.

Challenging conditions at Kyoto on Sunday brought out the best in Blow the Horn, who charged through lashing rain to score his biggest win in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1).

Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior had already established his credentials as a globetrotter by winning Australia’s Cox Plate (G1), but Sunday’s Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo confirmed his entry into the pantheon.

Trainer Daisuke Takayanagi made headlines recently for his Kentucky Derby (G1) venture, and now he has a Breeders' Cup candidate.

With last year’s champion, Lemon Pop, leading the Japanese charge on the Saudi Cup (G1), Sunday’s February (G1) at Tokyo had a more open look. Even so, few could have foreseen the magnitude of the upset in store.

A promising field has turned out for the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Racecourse in Japan, the second leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Showing why he’s rated the world’s best horse, Silk Racing Co.’s Equinox imposed his authority despite an extremely wide trip in Sunday’s $3.6 million Takarazuka Kinen (G1).

Songline successfully defended her title in Sunday’s Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo, a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) that is expected to be on her agenda.