Mori-Trained OBS March Trio Look To Make Debut Statements

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 weekend running at Chukyo and Niigata Racecourses:

Saturday, July 26, 2025
3rd-NII, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT
WEY YO (c, 2, Upstart–Sister Marette, by Cuvee) is a half-brother to the treble stakes-placed Taoiseach (Dublin) and sold for $90,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale, then was hammered down to trainer Hideyuki Mori on behalf of Forever Young owner Susumu Fujita for $500,000 after breezing in :9 4/5 (see below) ahead of this year's OBS March Sale. The colt's third dam produced Sister Fiona (Dehere), winner of the GIII Sorority Stakes in 1999. Upstart is the sire of 11 2-year-old winners from 20 worldwide starters this season, including Debutante Stakes victress Percy's Bar. O-Susumu Fujita; B-Stephanie Baltzan (NY); T-Hideyuki Mori

4th-CKO, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT
ADVANCE MODERN (c, 2, Modernist–Pioneerof New York, by Pioneerof the Nile), purchased for $5,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Mixed Sale, made $8,000 as an OBS October Yearling the following season, but matured into a $110,000 OBS March breezer after covering an eighth of a mile in :9 4/5 (see below). The colt's dam, bought back for $240,000 at FTNAUG in 2017, was acquired by this breeder for just $9,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton February Sale and this is her first foal. The colt's third dam is MGSP De Aar (Gone West), a half-sister to Dr. John Chandler-bred luminaries Cetewayo, Dynaforce and Bowman Mill, and was herself responsible for the talented turfer Willcox Inn (Harlan's Holiday). O-Norihide Kubota; B-H & H Farms (NY); T-Hideyuki Mori

Sunday, July 27, 2025
3rd-CKO, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT
ECORO REVE (c, 2, Tiz the Law–Saucy Symphony, by First Samurai), whose winning dam was purchased by Miacomet Bloodstock with this colt in utero for $27,000 at Keeneland November in 2022, was sold on for $90,000 at Keeneland September in 2024 and was another hammered down to Hideyuki Mori at OBS March, in this event for $610,000 after covering a furlong in :9 4/5 (see below), albeit somewhat greenly. The Apr. 15 foal is a maternal grandson of SW Celtic Chant (Songandaprayer), the dam of GSP Irish Mischief (Into Mischief) and the deeper family includes GISW Vicar (Wild Again). O-Masatoshi Haramura; B-William Harrigan, Mike Pietrangelo & Sean Downes (KY); T-Hideyuki Mori