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 Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses, the latter of which also plays host to the G1 Tokyo Yushun, the world's most valuable Derby:
Saturday, May 25, 2019
11th-KYO, ¥72,000,000 ($657k), Open Class, 3yo, 1200mT
MARIA'S HEART (f, 3, Shanghai Bobby–Maria's Dance, by Maria's Mon) debuted on dirt, defeating champion Good Magic (Curlin)'s half-brother Best Magic (Speightstown) Jan. 14, and most recently switched to the turf to remain unbeaten Apr. 13 (video, gate 5). Led out unsold at Keeneland September ($52K) and at OBS October ($42K) in 2017, the May foal fetched $75K as an OBSAPR breezer the following spring. Maria's Heart is out of a stakes-placed half-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' and GISW Roadster (Quality Road) and to GISW Ascend (Candy Ride {Arg}). The further female family includes GISW Cat Moves (Tale of the Cat) and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Hootenanny (Quality Road). B-Sally Andersen (FL)
Sunday, May 26, 2019
5th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 ($125k), Allowance, 3yo, 1600m
AVANCE (c, 3, Uncle Mo&log=">Uncle Mo–Above Heaven, by Mr. Greeley) graduated at first asking in January (see below, gate 9) before finishing a well-beaten second to arguably Japan's best 3-year-old dirt horse, the undefeated Chrysoberyl (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}), next time out. Bought back on bids of $145K at FTSAUG and at OBSAPR, the bay colt is out of an unraced daughter of 2007 GI Alabama S. winner Lady Joanne (Orientate), a half-sister to GI Preakness S. hero Shackleford (Forestry), MGSWs Baghdaria (Royal Academy) and Afleeting Lady (Afleet Alex) and SW & MGSP Stephanoatsee (A.P. Indy). B-Dr Masatake Iida (KY)
6th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 ($125k), Allowance, 3yo, 1200mT
TOP SOLISTE (f, 3, War Front&log=">War Front–Moth {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) finished second in four of her first six trips to the post but finally got over the hump last time out, overcoming a double-digit gate to post a head victory at Fukushima Apr. 13 (see below, gate 14). Produced by Moth, third to Sky Lantern (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}) and Just The Judge (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) in the 2013 G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas, the $650K KEESEP yearling is bred on the same cross responsible for the likes of top-level scorers Roly Poly and U S Navy Flag. B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY)
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