Weight Loss Takes Prized Out of Japan Cup, 2nd Richest Race

Prized, winner of the Breeders Cup Turf race earlier this month, withdrew from the Japan Cup today due to a weight problem.

The 3-year-old colt, who has won four of seven starts this season, including the Breeders Cup event earlier this month, will not run because of weight loss, according to the Japan Horseracing Assn.

Seven foreign entries and eight Japanese horses will go in the 1 1/2-mile turf run on Nov. 26, the world’s second-richest horse race with a top prize of $956,000.

Entries include England’s Carroll House, winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The 4-year-old colt has won three of six starts.

Also running are Ibn Bey, a 5-year-old that won the Preis von Europe in September and Assatis, a 4-year-old colt with three victories in four starts.

The two American entries are Pay the Butler, winner of the 1988 Japan Cup but winless this season, and Hawkster, with four victories in 10 starts.

Horlicks, a 6-year-old mare from New Zealand and France’s Top Sunrise are the other foreign entries.

The Japanese horses will be led by local favorites Inari One and Oguri Cap.