By Alan Carasso
In this continuing series, we take 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 Saturday running at Hanshin Racecourse:
Saturday, February 28, 2026
3rd-HSN, ¥11,280,000 ($72k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m
BLUE MCKINZIE (c, 3, McKinzie–Blueeyesintherein, by Magna Graduate), a $40,000 Keeneland November weanling, took some nibbles at the windows and was a respectable fourth on Tokyo debut Nov. 29 and most recently rounded out a US-bred exacta behind Nemes (Cairo Prince) over this course and distance Dec. 21. Blueeyesintherein, winner of the GIII Debutante Stakes at two in 2012, was acquired by Marequest for $27,000 with this colt in utero at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale. Co-breeder Kim Valerio selected dam sire MGSW & MGI/G1SP Magna Graduate on behalf of her client Elisabeth Alexander. O-Ryo Kotoura; B-Kim Valerio & Jon Green (KY); T-Yoshiaki Sugiyama
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