Two-year-old fillies take center stage in the prestigious Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, a Grade 1 turf event covering about one mile with a whopping top prize of US$433,405. Despite its name, this race will be held at Kyoto on Sunday at 1:40 a.m. EST (Saturday at 10:40 p.m. PST) due to renovation work at Hanshin. Over the years, the race has undergone various changes, and this year's running is considered its 76th. In a significant development, 14 years after opening to foreign-based horses, the 2024 lineup features a landmark - the first competitor from abroad, May Day Ready from the U.S., who comes with an impressive resume of three wins and a second in international Grade 1 competition, achievements unmatched by any of the Japanese runners. And she will be ridden by the legendary Frankie Dettori.

Standouts from Japan

The Grade 3 winner Brown Ratchet, by Kizuna out of Forever Darling, showcases a keen racing sense. A Northern Farm-bred filly and a half sister to the globe-trotting Forever Young (third in this year's Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic), Brown Ratchet easily topped colts in her debut over 1 1/8 miles at Nakayama. She then competed in the fillies-only Artemis Stakes (G3) over the Tokyo mile, adapting well to varied paces and displaying a strong late drive, clocking 11.2 seconds and 11.0 seconds over the final two furlongs. Proven in both directions, she is expected to take well to the Kyoto outer course with leading jockey Christophe Lemaire in the saddle.Run for Vow, a Lord Kanaloa filly, returns from a win over the Kyoto mile in the Nov. 9 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes (G2). She was up against colts but traveled well midfield in a relatively slow pace and neatly pulled away with 200 meters to go. Slow away in her first two starts, she has improved at the break, and a faster pace this time will test her stamina. Yuichi Fukunaga, aiming for his first top win as a trainer, has already notched 15 wins since opening his stable in March, including two graded races.Dantsu Elan, also by Lord Kanaloa, debuted with a win over the Niigata mile and then posted 3-1 in two 1,400-meter tests at Kyoto, most recently winning the Kyoto Sho Fantasy Stakes (G3). In the Fantasy Stakes over sloppy going, she was able to race from further back and save something for the finish, a style that should serve her well over a furlong longer this time. Trainer Masaru Honda is confident, stating that her trackwork since the Fantasy Stakes has been good.

May Day Ready

In a country dominated by dirt races, May Day Ready's experience over turf is unique. All four of her starts have been on grass, at different tracks. After debuting with a win at Sarotoga, she conquered Kentucky Downs and continued her streak with a win in the Jessamine Stakes (G2) at Keeneland. Before skidding to a not-too-shabby second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar, she has proven herself more times than any on the home team over distances of a mile and 1 1/16 miles, on both fast and slightly heavy tracks. Trainer Joseph Lee, who has lived in Japan and has been traveling to and from the country for years, knows his way around. May Day Ready has been well acquainted with her new surroundings since arriving in Japan on Nov. 20. Calm, composed, and curious, the big question is whether her talent will translate well in her first performance over a clockwise track. "Her exercise this morning (Saturday) went well and we're very happy," Lee said. "Frankie (Dettori) came and watched the filly work and said that she looks to be in good form too. In tomorrow's race, we're going to leave it up to Frankie, but anything could happen in a race, so we just hope that she can give her best and come back safely."

Vip Daisy

Also unbeaten in her two career starts, Vip Daisy, sired by Satono Diamond, handled the fast pace well in her debut at Chukyo. Next, she displayed versatility in the Shigiku Sho at 1 1/8 miles at Kyoto on Oct. 12. Patient amid the early slow pace, she let loose and clocked 33.3 seconds over the final three furlongs to win. Looking good in work, she posted a time of 51.8 seconds up the Ritto hill on Nov. 27. "From her two races, I'd say she can do well from any position," says trainer Takeshi Matsushita. "I'm looking forward to the race."

Teleos La La

The Miho-based Teleos La La, a striking filly weighing close to 1,100 pounds, has raced exclusively over 1 1/8 miles, with her most recent start over the Kyoto outer course. Both her wins were wire-to-wire, with excellent final 3-furlong times. This will be her first mile, and if she can handle a faster pace, her late speed should serve her well. "With it being the second meet in a row at Kyoto, the times shouldn't be too fast, which is a plus," says trainer Toshiaki Tajima.

Other Runners of Interest

Caught Alliciant, by Saturnalia, is 1-2 from two starts over the mile, with her most recent being the Niigata Nisai Stakes (G3). If she can nail the break and handle the trip from Miho, this girl likely has latent potential that will stand her well in her first race to the right.The Ritto-based Arma Veloce aced her debut and leapt to the Grade 3 level, competing against colts in the Sapporo Nisai Stakes and missing the win by a nose. Versatile, she should be able to adapt well to her first mile this time out.Mistress, from the Yoshito Yahagi stable, won her debut over the Niigata mile and scored a second in the Artemis Stakes (G3) at Tokyo. This will be her first race to the right, but she was on her right lead from the top of the straight home last out. Closer to home and a flat stretch should prove additional advantages.Pay heed to Shonan Xanadu. She scored a 2-1 in her first two starts, both over the Kyoto mile. She returned on Oct. 26 after a 4-month spell to finish third in the Artemis Stakes over the Tokyo mile. She's Ritto-based, primed and ready.All fillies will carry 121 pounds, and the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies is the 11th race on Kyoto's Sunday 12-race card with a post time of 1:40 a.m. EST.