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 Chukyo and Kyoto Racecourses:
Saturday, January 19, 2019
1st-KYO, ¥9,550,000 ($88k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
BASIN STREET (c, 3, Curlin">Curlin–Judith Basin, by Danzig), bred on the same cross as champion Good Magic, debuted with a course-and-distance fourth last November and improved to be a close runner-up over this trip at Hanshin when last seen Dec. 22 (see below, gate 9). A $72K Keeneland November weanling, $110K KEESEP yearling and $250K OBS March juvenile, the May foal hails from the extended female family of champion A.P. Indy and fellow Classic winner Summer Squall et al. Christophe Lemaire adds to the colt's appeal. B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY)
2nd-KYO, ¥11,400,000 ($105k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m
AVANCE (c, 3, Uncle Mo&log=">Uncle Mo–Above Heaven, by Mr. Greeley) gets his career started for owner/breeder Dr. Masatake Iida, who acquired the bay's second dam–2007 GI Alabama S. winner Lady Joanne (Orientate)–for $1.6 million in foal to Tiznow at Fasig-Tipton November back in 2009. Lady Joanne is a daughter of Broodmare of the Year Oatsee (Unbridled), whose other distinguished produce include treble GISW Shackleford (Forestry), MGSWs Baghdaria (Royal Academy) and Afleeting Lady (Afleet Alex) and SW & MGSP Stephanoatsee (A.P. Indy). Avance was offered twice at public auction, but was bought back on bids of $145K at FTSAUG in 2017 and at OBS April last spring. B-Dr Masatake Iida (KY)
4th-KYO, ¥11,400,000 ($105k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1400m
FUTURE BASS (JPN) (f, 3, Discreet Cat–Backseat Rhythm, by El Corredor) is the first Japanese-foaled runner for her dam, whose US-bred 4-year-old son Swing Beat (Tapit) is a three-time winner from seven starts in Japan. Backseat Rhythm, who carried the colors of Paul Pompa, Jr. to victory in the 2008 GI Garden City S., is a half-sister to Frankel's Kiss (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who at €770,000 was the second highest-priced lot at last year's Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale. B-Shadai Farm
Sunday, January, 20, 2019
5th-CKO, €11,400,000 ($105k), Newcomers, 3yo, 2000mT
MONUMENT KING (c, 3, Creative Cause–Overvalued, by Forest Grove) fetched $500K as a KEESEP yearling in 2017, easily the most expensive yearling from the first few crops of this successful young sire. The February foal is the first produce for his dam, bred by Brereton C. Jones and raced successfully in Western Canada by Canmor Farms, with four black-type victories to her credit at Hastings Park in Vancouver. Overvalued is a half-sister to GSP Our Majesty (Majesticperfection), SW I Spy Wolfie (Chief Three Sox) and SP Montana Banana (Formal Gold). B-Brereton C Jones (KY)
WATCH: Basin Street finishes second at Hanshin Dec. 22
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