Tin Cup Chalice and the road to the Japan Cup Dirt (GI)
posted November 26, 2008

Sunday, December 7th will mark the 9th running of the Grade I Japan Cup Dirt, a mile-and-an-eighth test for horses 3-yr-old and up. A few factors make this race unique:

Location - Hanshin Race Course, about 30 minutes from the city of Osaka. Hanshin is a ‘right-handed’ course - so they’ll be running clockwise. It is not a course of even grade, there is a slight rise exiting the backstretch, a slight decline entering the homestretch and another rise approaching the finish. The course is not a true oval: The first turn is tight but sweeps less than 180 degrees before straightening into the backstretch. The second turn is wider and greater than 180 degrees in its arc.

The Field - Facing a slew of horses bred and trained in Japan will be three American runners: Bobby Frankel’s MAST TRACK, ’08 winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup (GI), recently 5th in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI); Rick Dutrow’s FROST GIANT, the ’08 Suburban winner(GI) who was eased in the Woodbine’s GI Northern Dancer Turf Stakes; Mike LeCesse’s TIN CUP CHALICE, the 3-year-old New York-bred gelding who’s taken 8 of 9, including a sweep of the OTB Big Apple Triple, and the GII Indiana Derby.

Thorofan is keeping tabs on Mike and Tin Cup. Check in regularly for Mike’s updates on the quest to find the winner’s circle once again.

Trainer’s Journal
Monday, December 8th

Tin Cup ran his heart out like always, but there were many factors against him - mostly the quality of the horses he was facing. The track was playing slow and tiring. It had rained 2 days prior and the track was a bit cuppy. I also think you have to train differently for this course. The Japanese drill and drill and drill, particularly on the uphill training course. They actually breeze up a 2% grade. The pre-race ceremony may have taken a little out of him as he was a little hot in the paddock.

He was very tired after the race but he came out of it looking good. He'll leave Japan in a couple of days and after quarantine he'll return to the farm for the winter. We will probably start some light training again in February, and he’ll have his first race of ’09 at Finger Lakes sometime in April. I think he can be a top horse in the states next year but like always we will start him out slowly and build him up. He’ll tell us the level at which he wants to race.

It’s been an incredible few weeks here in Japan, and once again I’d like to thank everyone for the support. We wish everyone a great holiday season, and we hope to see you all again in ’09.

-Mike LeCesse

Kane Hekili winning the '08 Japan Cup Dirt

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Trainer’s Journal
Friday, December 5th

A banquet was held for all the owners, trainers and associates. It was amazing! They introduced us and had us walk out on stage. They also played a video that showed all the entrants. It was stirring to see our little guy up on such a big screen.

We attended a press conference and there were about 35 reporters all asking questions. This sport is on par with baseball here! The media have been paying a good deal of attention to Tin Cup, more so than Frost Giant or Mast Track, probably because of his improbable story. As well, Scott, Michale and I are the only owners/trainers that have made the trip. I get the feeling TC is being considered a ‘wise guy’ horse, still a long shot - but a good bet because of how well he is training. The post position draw has been held and we’ve got the 8 post in a 16 horse field. Returning champion VERMILION will certainly be the favorite although I have not yet seen any morning line odds. Handicapping is a little difficult here as the past performance sheets are a bit different.

Overall Tin Cup continues to handle things well. He has gained 4kgs. (about 9lbs.) this week. We will do some more gate work today. I’m happy to say that things are looking good.

-Mike LeCesse

Heading to the track after schooling in the gate

Scott Van Laer trying to read Japanese past performances

Tin Cup Chalice with Edgar Prado astride.

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Trainer’s Journal
Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Just a quick note to say that Edgar Prado will ride Tin Cup Chalice this coming Sunday. Ultimately, we would have wished Pedro Rodriguez would be in the irons but the quest to acquire his visa and passport has simply taken too long. It’s a bittersweet moment. We’ll miss Pedro but are confident with Edgar taking the mount. He is over here in Japan now so we have a few days for he and Tin Cup to get to know each other better. Also here’s a few pictures of Tin Cup at Hanshin courtesy of Scott’s wife Michale. Again thanks for the support and keep posted

-Mike LeCesse

Additional note: Thorofan has contacted Edgar Prado’s agent Bob Frieze. Bob offers the following comment.

"He's a nice colt and we are honored to be on him. Hope we can win it.  You can't win if you're not in the race, and Edgar's sure not going to hurt his chances. He's ridden there two or three times before and enjoys riding in Japan." 

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Trainer’s Journal
Monday, December 1, 2008

I’d have to say that spending Thanksgiving in Japan was not at all like at home, especially the food. It was a very different experience but one I enjoyed none-the-less. I’m staying at The Righa Royal hotel, and it is the best that Osaka - Umeda has, at least I believe so. There are 20 restaurants, an Olympic-size pool and too many other things to mention. The culture here is quite different, but everything is really nice and the people are very polite. The JRA (Japan Racing Association) has supplied us with an Interpreter to help us with our needs, so that's come in handy.

Tin Cup was moved to Hanshin last Wednesday. The track here is so nice and clean, in fact it’s perfect! These facilities are the best I have ever seen. My assistant trainer, Jan Keuer thinks the rooms are like the Red Roof Inn. So far there are only two horses stabled here, Tin Cup Chalice and Casino Drive. All the others are scheduled to arrive this coming Tuesday and Wednesday. We gave Tin Cup a workout and he went 5F in 59.1. He did switch leads well but not as well as I’m used to seeing. The clocker said he was ‘moving fast,’ and that he has not seen another do it that well. I think he likes him.

This past Sunday was the Japan Cup Turf, from Tokyo. We went front-side to watch and they had 30,000 people here just for the simulcast! Next Saturday and Sunday they expect 50 - 70,000 people to attend the races. Scott (Van Laer) and his wife Michale are flying in today. So, it will be nice to have a few extra hands around. Thanks again to everyone back in the states for all the support, and keep posted for another update sometime toward the end of the week.

-Mike LeCesse

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Trainer’s Journal
Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Hello,
I just got into Japan and its beautiful here! I think all is well so far with Tin Cup. Jan (Keuer) contacted me and said that so far everything has gone pretty good. The horse shipped well and there were no problems. On the other hand, my flight was delayed for 3 hours but all went well and I finally made it. The JRA (Japan Racing Association) has just been great with all the arrangements from booking the flight to the accommodations for Tin Cup. The track is a little deep but it’s perfectly maintained. Right now we’re having a bit of trouble acquiring Pedro Rodriguez’s Visa. Pedro is TC’s regular rider and we were hoping he could have made the trip with me, and been on the horse as we train up to the race. It will be a big disappointment if he is unable to come over. I’ve contacted Edgar Prado’s agent Bob Frieze in regard to having Edgar take Pedro’s place in the event he doesn’t get his visa and passport. Right now we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

Keep posted. I’ll be sending back more updates as we get closer to the race. Thanks to everyone for all the support, and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

-Mike LeCesse