In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Hakodate and Hanshin Racecourses:
Saturday, June 15, 2019
5th-HAK, ¥13,400,000 ($124k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1000mT
NILKANTA TESORO (JPN) (c, 2, Speightstown–Vapour {GB}, by Galileo {Ire}), by the sire of 21 winners from 24 to race in Japan, including US-bred GSWs Mozu Superflare and Matera Sky, was offered in utero at Keeneland November in 2016, but was led out unsold at $385K. Subsequently exported and foaled Feb. 17, the chestnut was purchased by Kenji Ryotokuji for ¥54 million ($473,685) at the 2017 JRHA Select Foal sale. The colt's dam is a half to SW Quenched (GB) (Dansili {GB}), herself responsible for Australia Group 3 winner Excess Knowledge (GB) (Monsun {Ger}). The further female family includes MG1SW & 2003 G1 Prix de Diane victrix Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat). B-Kuwata Bokujo
Sunday, June 16, 2019
2nd-HSN, ¥9,550,000 ($88k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m
FIR BOLG (c, 3, Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is a son of Fairytale Ending (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) a full-sister to GSW Aloof (Ire) ($3.9m KEENOV) and a half-sister to SW & GSP Meow (Ire) (Storm Cat), dam of champion and English/Irish 2000 Guineas hero Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1SW Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Virginia-based Audley Farm acquired Fir Bolg in utero for $575,000 at KEENOV in 2015 and returned the colt to KEESEP in 2017, where he fetched $240K. Group 1-winning second dam Airwave (GB) (Air Express {Ire}) is a half-sister to the ill-fated G1SW Jwala (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). B-Audley Farm Equine LLC (VA)
11th-HAK, Hakodate Sprint S.-G3, ¥74.6m ($688k), 3/up, 1200mT
ASTER PEGASUS (c, 3, Giant's Causeway–R Heat Lightning, by Trippi) returns to the scene of his victory in the G3 Hakodate Nisai S. last July, his most recent trip to the winner's circle (see below, gate 6). R Heat Lightning, winner of the 2010 GI Spinaway S., was purchased by Stonestreet for $1.6 million in foal to Bernardini at KEENOV in 2013 and Aster Pegasus repaid some of that bill when hammering for $150K at KEESEP in 2017. Aster Pegasus exits a sharp runner-up effort in the Listed Aoi S. May 25 (video, gate 13). B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY)
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