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 Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses, including the return of G1SW Mr Melody (Scat Daddy):
Saturday, September 7, 2019
11th-NAK, Shion S.-G3, ¥66,600,000 ($623k), 3yo, f, 2000mT
MAKE HAPPY (f, 3, Square Eddie–Silar Rules, by Ten Most Wanted), a $650K graduate of last year's Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale, has won half of her six tries to date, all on the dirt, including a game last-out success at Hakodate June 30 (video, gate 5). The full-sister to 2015 GI Hopeful S. hero Ralis and to MSW & MGSP B Squared tries the turf and 2000m for the first time, but has some turf and stamina influences on both sides of her pedigree. B-Reddam Racing LLC (CA)
Sunday, September 8, 2019
3rd-NAK, ¥13,400,000 ($125k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
IMMORTAL SMOKE (c, 2, Into Mischief–Bellini Sunrise, by Machiavellian) was a $375K Keeneland September acquisition last year and is out of winning daughter of SW & MGISP Harbour Club (Danzig), whose other produce include MSW & MGSP Holzmeister (Woodman) and the dams of GISW Game Face (Menifee) and GSW Verdana Bold (Rahy). Mirco Demuro takes the call on the April foal, whose full-brother is cataloged as hip 260 next week at Keeneland September. B-Edward A Seltzer & Beverly Anderson (KY)
11th-HSN, Centaur S.-G2, ¥112.8m ($1.05m), 3yo/up, 1200mT
Freshened up following an impressive score in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen last March (see below, gate 3), MR MELODY (c, 4, Scat Daddy–Trusty Lady, by Deputy Minister) resumes in this stepping-stone to the G1 Sprinters' S. in three weeks' time. A maternal grandson of MGSW & MGISP Klassy Kim (Silent Screen), Mr Melody is a half-brother to GSP Trendy Lady (Unbridled's Song) and was bought back for $75K when offered as a foal at KEENOV in 2015. A $100K KEESEP yearling, he blossomed into a $400K OBSAPR breezer. B-Bell Tower Thoroughbreds (KY)
MATERA SKY (h, 5, Speightstown–Mostaqelah, by Rahy), a $140K KEENOV weanling and $350K KEESEP yearling, is a Group 3 winner and track-record holder on dirt and was a bang-up second to X Y Jet (Kantharos) in this year's G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. He has the right to come on from a fifth in defense of his title in the G3 Procyon S. July 7, but tries the turf for just the second time in his career. On pedigree, he is a candidate to handle the surface switch, as his female family includes the likes of champion Bahri (Riverman) and Bahhare (Woodman). B-Lynch Bages Ltd (KY)
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
