Verxina wins Victoria Mile

Verxina wins Victoria Mile

TOKYO, Japan - Verxina (C), ridden by Hiroyuki Uchida and owned by former major league pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki, gallops to win the Victoria Mile at Tokyo Racecourse in Tokyo on May 12, 2013. Whale Capture (L) and Meine Isabel (R) finished second and third, respectively.

Whale Capture nets 1st G1 title

Whale Capture nets 1st G1 title

TOKYO, Japan - Fourth pick Whale Capture (R) harpoons her first career Grade 1 title in the Victoria Mile at Tokyo Racecourse on May 13, 2012, defeating favorite and 2010 filly's Triple Crown champion Apapane. To the left is seventh choice Donau Blue, who came in second.

Whale Capture nets 1st G1 title

Whale Capture nets 1st G1 title

TOKYO, Japan - Fourth pick Whale Capture (front R) harpoons her first career Grade 1 title in the Victoria Mile at Tokyo Racecourse on May 13, 2012, defeating favorite and 2010 filly's Triple Crown champion Apapane. To the left is seventh choice Donau Blue, who came in second. (Pool photo)

5 Japanese whaling ships set sail for Antarctica

5 Japanese whaling ships set sail for Antarctica

KITAKYUSHU, Japan - Relatives wave goodbye to crew members of five Japanese whaling ships at Shimonoseki port, Yamaguchi Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 17 as they set sail for Antarctica to conduct so-called ''research whaling.'' The expedition plans to capture about 400 minke whales to collect data on the whales' age, maturity and habitation habits, according to the government. Most of the whale meat will be sold on the market.

Whale Capture nets 1st G1 title

Whale Capture nets 1st G1 title

TOKYO, Japan - Fourth pick Whale Capture (front R) harpoons her first career Grade 1 title in the Victoria Mile at Tokyo Racecourse on May 13, 2012, defeating favorite and 2010 filly's Triple Crown champion Apapane. To the left is seventh choice Donau Blue, who came in second. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

Whale Capture nets 1st G1 title

Whale Capture nets 1st G1 title

TOKYO, Japan - Fourth pick Whale Capture (R) harpoons her first career Grade 1 title in the Victoria Mile at Tokyo Racecourse on May 13, 2012, defeating favorite and 2010 filly's Triple Crown champion Apapane. To the left is seventh choice Donau Blue, who came in second. (Kyodo)

5 Japanese whaling ships set sail for Antarctica

5 Japanese whaling ships set sail for Antarctica

KITAKYUSHU, Japan - Relatives wave goodbye to crew members of five Japanese whaling ships at Shimonoseki port, Yamaguchi Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 17 as they set sail for Antarctica to conduct so-called ''research whaling.'' The expedition plans to capture about 400 minke whales to collect data on the whales' age, maturity and habitation habits, according to the government. Most of the whale meat will be sold on the market.