Tenno-sho horse racing

Tenno-sho horse racing

KYOTO, Japan - Fenomeno (C) wins the spring Tenno-sho for the second straight year at Kyoto Racecourse in western Japan on May 4, 2014. At right is runner-up Win Variation.

Fenomeno wins Tenno-sho

Fenomeno wins Tenno-sho

KYOTO, Japan - Fenomeno, jockeyed by Masayoshi Ebina, gallops to victory in the spring Tenno-sho at Kyoto Racecourse in Kyoto on April 28, 2013. The second choice won the race for his first Grade 1 title in 3 minutes, 14.2 seconds on the 3,200-meter turf course.

Eishin Flash wins Tenno-sho

Eishin Flash wins Tenno-sho

TOKYO, Japan - Eishin Flash (R), ridden by Mirco Demuro, gallops to victory at the Tenno-sho at Tokyo Racecourse on Oct. 28, 2012. Fifth choice Eishin Flash covered the 2,000-meter turf track in 1 minute, 57.3 seconds, under the gaze of the imperial couple. To the left is favorite Fenomeno, which finished second.

Deep Brillante wins Japanese Derby

Deep Brillante wins Japanese Derby

TOKYO, Japan - Deep Brillante (back) crosses the finish line to win the 79th Japanese Derby, the second leg of the Triple Crown, at Tokyo Racecourse on May 27, 2012. Deep Brillante, who went off as the third pick, held off fifth choice Fenomeno (front) by a nose to finish the 2,400 meters in 2 minutes, 23.8 seconds.

Deep Brillante wins Japanese Derby

Deep Brillante wins Japanese Derby

TOKYO, Japan - Deep Brillante (back) crosses the finish line to win the 79th Japanese Derby, the second leg of the Triple Crown, at Tokyo Racecourse on May 27, 2012. Deep Brillante, who went off as the third pick, held off fifth choice Fenomeno (front) by a nose to finish the 2,400 meters in 2 minutes, 23.8 seconds. (Kyodo)