Japan Cup (G1) - America's Marsh Side arrives, back again for Japan Cup

Marsh Side

Marsh Side, one of three American horses scheduled to run in the Japan Cup, arrived at Narita Airport on Thursday. The 6-year-old horse was then transported to JRA Horseracing School Quarantine Center in Shiroi City, completing a 12-hour trip from his home stable.

Marsh Side walked around the stable area on Friday and seems to be in fine form with great appetite.

"He's in very good condition," said assistant trainer Marcelino Olguin. "(Japan Cup) is expected to be a tough race. We'll give it our best to get the best result."

Marsh Side also traveled to Japan last year to run in the Japan Cup, only to be scratched at the last minute due to illness. Since, Marsh Side has run six times in 2009 - five Grade 1, one Grade 2. His best finish was a runnerup showing in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap in June at Belmont Park.

The Gone West son, out of Pleasant Colony, is 5-for-24 with three second-place and one third-place finish for his career. Trained by Neil Drysdale and owned by Robert Evans, Marsh Side has a lifetime earning of $1,829,870.