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. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Niigata and Tokyo Racecourse, where a promising son of Mineshaft looks to take the next step Sunday:
Saturday, May 11, 2019
10th-NII, ¥19,000,000 ($173k), Allowance, 3yo, 1000mT
UNI CHARA (f, 3, Into Mischief–Joke, by Phone Trick), a $50K Keeneland September yearling turned $130K OBS April juvenile, made her sophomore debut over this minimum trip at Kokura Feb. 9, graduating by 1 3/4 lengths after a stalking trip. A daughter of dual stakes winner Joke (Phone Trick), Uni Chara is a half-sister to three-time GISW Zensational (Unbridled's Song) and to the unraced dam of GSW Cutting Humor (First Samurai) and SW & MGSP Irish You Well (Broken Vow). Joke is a half to MGSW Trip (Lord At War {Arg}) and the further Claiborne female family includes MGSW & GISP Departing (War Front) and SW & GSP The Great War (War Front). B-Claiborne Farm (KY)
Sunday, May 12, 2019
4th-KYO, ¥9,550,000 ($87k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800mT
The interestingly bred O K BLOSSOM (c, 3, Deep Impact {Jpn}–Cherokee, by Storm Cat) is out of a Group 3-winning full-sister to SW Art Museum and a half to GSW & MGISP Lil's Lad (Pine Bluff) and was offered through Eaton Sales at KEESEP in 2017, but was led out unsold at $285K. The cross of this legendary stallion over Storm Cat mares has accounted for Group 1 winners such as A Shin Hikari (Jpn), Tokyo Yushun hero Kizuna (Jpn), Satono Aladdin, Dubai Turf victor Real Steel (Jpn) and French top-level scorers Beauty Parlour (GB) and Study of Man (Ire). B-Orpendale & Chelston (KY)
9th-TOK, ¥34,200,000 ($312k), Open Class, 3yo, 1600m
CAFE CROWN (c, 3, Mineshaft&hid=477524">Mineshaft–Two Trail Sioux, by Indian Charlie) has gotten his career off to a phenomenal start, winning his maiden by 10 lengths over course and distance as the 1-5 chalk Jan. 27 (video, gate 12) before tacking on a Tokyo allowance by two lengths at a dime on the dollar Apr. 21 (see below, gate 12). The son of GSW & GISP Two Trail Sioux, a $300K OBSAPR acquisition, picks up the services of Australian jockey Damian Lane Sunday afternoon. B-Jason Litt, Litt Family Horse Trust & Alex Solis II (KY)
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