Naruo Kinen

The Naruo Kinen (in Japanese: 鳴尾記念) is a Grade 3 middle-distance race for three-year-olds and older horses in the JRA. It is run over 2,000 meters at Hanshin Racecourse in June. The race often serves as a trial race for the Takarazuka Kinen later in the month.

History
The first race was held in 1951. The race is held once a year was held twice a year from 1951 to 1953. The race was run over a variety of longer distances before being contested over 2,000 meters for the first time in 1997. The distance was 1,800 meters from 2006 to 2011.

The race was run at Chukyo Racecourse in 1959, and at Kyoto Racecourse in 1966, 1969 and 1990.

From 1955 to 1985, the race was for horses over 5 years old, however the requirement was changed to 4 years old in 1987.

Notable winners of the Naruo Kinen have included Ten Point, Bubble Gum Fellow, Tamamo Cross and Lovely Day.

Weight
53 kg for three-year-olds, 57 kg for four-year-olds and above.

Allowances:


 * 2 kg for fillies / mares
 * 2 kg for southern hemisphere bred three-year-olds
 * 1 kg for southern hemisphere bred four-year-olds

Penalties (excluding two-year-old race performance):


 * If a graded stakes race has been won within a year:
 * 2 kg for a grade 1 win (1 kg for fillies / mares)
 * 1 kg for a grade 2 win
 * If a graded stakes race has been won for more than a year:
 * 1 kg for a grade 1 win

Previous winners

 * 1951: Takakurayama
 * 1951 (autumn): Track O
 * 1952: Hiro Homare
 * 1952 (autumn): Queen Narubi
 * 1953: Queen Narubi
 * 1953 (autumn): Bostonian
 * 1954: Royal Wood
 * 1955: Royal Wood
 * 1956: Sekai O
 * 1957: Sekai O
 * 1958: Sekai O
 * 1959: Katsura Shuho
 * 1960: Tokitsu Hiro
 * 1961: Caesar
 * 1962: Great Stan
 * 1963: Ryu Forel
 * 1964: Goukai
 * 1965: Ballymoss Nisei
 * 1966: Eight Crown
 * 1967: Apo Onward
 * 1968: Yama Pit
 * 1969: Fine Rose
 * 1970: New Kiminonawa
 * 1971: Tama Hope
 * 1972: Fi Dor
 * 1973: Shinzan Misaki
 * 1974: Strong Eight
 * 1975: Naoki
 * 1976: Taiho Hero
 * 1977: Ten Point
 * 1978: Erimo George
 * 1979: Captain Namura
 * 1980: Lindo Pleben
 * 1981: Hashi Kranz
 * 1982: Marubutsu Winner
 * 1983: Kyoei Ascent
 * 1984: Hashi Rodi
 * 1985: Nishino Raiden
 * 1986: Ron Spark
 * 1987: Tamamo Cross
 * 1988: Yaeno Muteki
 * 1989: Mr. Cyclennon
 * 1990: Kachiuma Hawk
 * 1991: Nice Nature
 * 1992: Takeno Velvet
 * 1993: Ruble Act
 * 1994: Star Man
 * 1995: Kanetsu Cross
 * 1996: Maruka Diesis
 * 1997: Bubble Gum Fellow
 * 1998: Sunrise Flag
 * 1999: Suehiro Commander