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. While the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) is slated for Sunday at Tokyo, here are the horses of interest for this weekend, each of whom makes an appearance at Kyoto Racecourse:
Saturday, May 18, 2019
4th-KYO, ¥9,550,000 ($87k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200mT
AMERICAN SOLEIL (c, 3, Tapit&hid=28277">Tapit–Funny Feeling, by Distorted Humor), a $550K Keeneland September graduate, gave a good account of himself when a debut third in a 1400m turf maiden at Tokyo last November (video, gate 9), but was unplaced in a single dirt try this season. The May foal, back on the grass for this, is out of a stakes-winning full-sister to Spendthrift stallion Jimmy Creed and a half to GISW Pussycat Doll (Real Quiet). Both Jimmy Creed and Pussycat Doll are out of GISW Hookedonthefeelin (Citidancer). B-S-B 2010 J.V. No. 2 and Summer Wind Equine (KY)
Sunday, May 19, 2019
6th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 ($125k), Allowance, 3yo, 1200m
ERZULIE (f, 3, Graydar–Miss Luna, by Henny Hughes) won her maiden at second asking over this distance at Chukyo Mar. 23 (see below, gate 2) and returns to what appears to be her preferred surface off an unplaced effort on turf May 4. A $70K KEESEP yearling purchase, the chestnut is out of a winning daughter of In Her Glory (Miswaki), a stakes winner and third in the 1993 GI Acorn S. and GI Gazelle H. In Her Glory is the dam of Sambuca Classica (Cat Thief), herself responsible for champion Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile). B-Springland Farm (KY)
10th-KYO, Hosu S.-Listed, ¥36,200,000 ($329k), 3yo, 1800m
Canadian-foaled, but Kentucky-conceived MADRAS CHECK (f, 3, Malibu Moon–Gloat, by Mr. Greeley) posted a win and a second from three tries on the turf to kick off her career and negotiated a switch to the dirt with a good-looking success over this distance at Nakayama Mar. 3 (video, gate 6). The chestnut was purchased for $550K in utero at KEENOV in 2015 and subsequently fetched $285K as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling and $500K as an FTFMAR juvenile. Her dam, a half-sister to 2009 GII Dixie S. winner Parading (Pulpit), is a grand-daughter of four-time GISW My Flag (Easy Goer). The latter produced 2002 champion juvenile filly Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat). B-Christine Katherine Hayden (ON)
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