The 2013 G1 Japanese Derby winner and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe fourth Kizuna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is expected to make his long-awaited return in Sunday's G2 Kyoto Kinen. The 5-year-old hasn't been seen since May, when he ran a disappointing fourth in the G1 Tenno Sho and was later discovered to have suffered a stress fracture in his hind leg. The previous year, Kizuna defeated subsequent Japan Cup hero Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) in the G1 Tokyo Yushun [Japanese Derby] before embarking on a history-making trip to France as the first 3-year-old from Japan to tackle the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The dark bay posted a dazzling victory in his prep race, the G3 Prix Niel, holding off the likes of Ruler Of The World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Spiritjim (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}). Three weeks later, he ran a creditable fourth behind an unapproachable Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}).
Kizuna will face 10 rivals Sunday at Kyoto racecourse, including another former 3-year-old Arc contender in Harp Star (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). The filly missed the break at Longchamp last year and had tons of ground to make up turning for home, yet she displayed an impressive turn of foot to finish sixth. She was a fast-finishing fifth to Epiphaneia in the G1 Japan Cup on her next start.
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