In this ongoing 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, including another promising 3-year-old for Kitten's Joy:
Sunday, February 11, 2018
4th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 ($126k), Allowance, 3yo, 1800m
BATTLE MEISTER (c, 3, Bodemeister–Elusive Horizon, by Elusive Quality) got his career off on a positive note with a narrow runner-up effort to Swing Beat (Tapit–Backseat Rhythm) on his Nov. 11 debut at Tokyo (video, gate 4) and validated 2-5 favoritism to graduate by five lengths when last seen at that track 15 days later (video, gate 12). The son of a five-time stakes-winning dam, Battle Meister was a $150K KEENOV weanling and $170K KEESEP RNA. He subsequently fetched $250K as an OBSAPR breezer. The female family includes GSW Super Ninety Nine (Pulpit) and MGISW Exogenous (Unbridled). B-Northwest Farms LLC (KY)
10th-TOK, ¥41,800,000 ($384k), Open Class, 4yo/up, 1400m
LE GRAND FRISSON (h, 5, Smart Strike–Leaning Tower, by Theatrical {Ire}) made the first 22 starts of his career on the turf, winning four times while more than earning his keep. The half-brother to the accomplished turf horses Karelian (Bertrando) and Frostmourne (Speightstown) switched to the dirt for the first time at Kyoto Jan. 8 to record a smooth victory (video, gate 12) despite covering extra ground. Le Grand Frisson cost owner Koji Maeda $150K at KEESEP in 2014. B-Green Lantern Stables LLC (KY)
11th-TOK, Kyodo News Hai-G3, ¥72k ($661k), 3yo, 1800mT
AMERICAN WORLD (c, 3, Kitten's Joy–Limonar {Ire}, by Street Cry {Ire}) improved off a debut fourth over soft Kyoto turf to be third over a sounder surface Nov. 5 and donned cap and gown with a convincing 2 1/2-length victory when last seen Jan. 13 (video, gate 6). The half-brother to SW & GSP Mokarris (More Than Ready) was a $350K KEESEP purchase and is out of a stakes-winning half-sister to GISW Talco (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}). B-St Elias Stables LLC (KY)
Monday, February 12, 2018
6th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 ($126k), Allowance, 3yo, 1600m
The word was out on APOLLO TENNESSEE c, 3, Run Away and Hide–Font, by Pulpit), as he was sent off the even-money choice at first asking Jan. 13 and duly walloped his Kyoto rivals by five strong lengths (video, gate 11). Bred on the same cross responsible for GII Best Pal S. winner Run Away and from the same A.P. Indy female line as Grade III winner Mico Margarita, Apollo Tennessee was led out unsold on a bid of $15K at KEENOV in 2015 and realized $85K as an OBSAPR juvenile last spring. B-Ron Kirk, John Bates & Michael Riordan (KY)
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