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 Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses, the latter of which plays host to the final prep for next month's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)–the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) over the metric mile and a quarter:
Saturday, April 14, 2018
9th-NKY, ¥19,000,000 ($177k), Allowance, 3yo, 1800mT
HOLIDAY MODE (c, 3, Point of Entry–Ski Holiday, by Harlan's Holiday) posted narrow runner-up efforts in his first two trips to the post late last year before breaking through with a powerful front-running success Jan. 20 (gate 1). The first foal for his dam, a stakes winner and Grade III-placed on turf, Holiday Mode descends from the family of GISW Creaking Board (GB) and is bred on the same cross over Storm Cat responsible for 'TDN Rising Star' Analyze It. B-Shimokobe Farm (KY)
11th-HSN, Arlington Cup-G3, ¥72m ($671k), 3yo, 1600mT
A debut second going 1400m last November, AIR ALMAS (c, 3, Majestic Warrior–Nokaze, by Empire Maker) added an extra furlong and was the easy winner of a course-and-distance maiden when last seen Dec. 2 (gate 5). The added real estate should suit, as the colt's third dam includes Glorious Song, Saint Ballado, Devil's Bag and MGSW & MG1SP Danon Ballade (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). B-Sekie & Tsunebumi Yoshihari (KY)
Sunday, April 15, 2018
6th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($128k), Allowance, 3yo, 2000mT
AMERICAN WORLD (c, 3, Kitten's Joy–Limonar {Ire}, by Street Cry {Ire}), a $350K KEESEP yearling purchase, finished a close third in his second career appearance in November, then broke through with a decisive, eased-down success in his sophomore debut Jan. 13 (gate 6). A half-brother to SW & GSP Mokarris (More Than Ready), the chestnut is also kin to a 2-year-old colt by Noble Mission (GB) that fetched $125K at KEESEP last fall and is cataloged as lot 160 at next week's Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale. B-St Elias Stables LLC (KY)
11th-NKY, Satsuki Sho-G1, ¥210m ($1.96m), 3yo, 2000mT
Koji Maeda homebred GENDARME (c, 3, Kitten's Joy-Believe {Jpn}, by Sunday Silence) hasn't missed the top three in his four starts to date, including a victory in last year's G3 Daily Hai Nisai S. (see below, gate 3). He figures to find some improvement off a comebacking third to champion Danon Premium (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho over track and trip Mar. 4 (video, gate 3). His champion dam has also produced MSW & G1SP Faridat (Kingmambo), SW & GSP Fiducia (Medaglia d'Oro) and Elisheva (Smart Strike), an allowance winner last weekend at Fukushima. B-North Hills Co Ltd (KY)
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