Nov. 25 (UPI) -- International forces mounted their most serious assault on the Japan Cup in many years, but it didn't make any difference, as locals swept the first five placings in Sunday's 44th running, the acme of weekend horse racing. Japan also hosted the only 2-year-old action likely to impact the 2025 Kentucky Derby , while Del Mar and Churchill Downs kept the wheels on the bus going round in weekend action in North American. Advertisement In relative order of importance: The Japan Cup