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 weekend running at Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses, the latter of which plays host to a must-see renewal of the G1 Arima Kinen, featuring Horse of the Year Almond Eye, G1 Cox Plate winner Lys Gracieux and G1 Japan Cup hero Suave Richard:
Saturday, December 21, 2019
6th-HSN, ¥13,400,000 ($123k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
SUNRISE RAPPORT (JPN) (c, 2, Constitution&hid=5588">Constitution-Kara's Match Point, by Curlin) is the second foal from a winning dam who was purchased for $450K carrying this filly in utero at Keeneland November in 2016. Kara's Match Point is a daughter of GSP Home Court (Storm Cat), the dam of MGSW/GISP Coup de Grace (Tapit)–now at stud in South Africa–as well as GISW Dancing Rags (Union Rags). The mare's produce of 2018, a colt by Duramente (Jpn), fetched ¥26 million as a yearling at this past summer's JRHA Select Sale. She foaled a Deep Impact (Jpn) colt this season. B-Shimokobe Farm
Sunday, December 22, 2019
5th-NKY, ¥13,400,000 ($123k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT
CHAROITE (f, 2, Uncle Mo&log=">Uncle Mo–Taboo, by Forestry), a half-sister to SP Smartly Agree (Smart Strike) and to the promising 3-year-old filly and $900K FTFMAR grad Der Lu (Orb), is out of a daughter of GISW Dream of Summer (Siberian Summer). The latter is the dam of GISW sire Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway), his GSW full-brother Destin and GSW Vexatious (Giant's Causeway). A $295K buyback at FTSAUG last summer, Charoite fetched $400K at this year's FTFMAR sale (see below). Merriebelle Stable acquired Taboo for $125K carrying Der Lu at KEENOV in 2015. Charoite is bred on the exacta same cross as champion Nyquist. B-Merriebelle Stable (KY)
6th-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($126k), Allowance, 2yo, 1200m
AURORA TESORO (c, 2, Malibu Moon–For Passion, by Not For Love) was twice third from four grass starts to begin his career before graduating by seven lengths in his first dirt appearance Oct. 5 (see below, gate one). He was a very good fourth behind the promising Dieu du Vin (Jpn) (Declaration of War) when last seen in the Nov. 23 Cattleya Sho allowance. A half to SW & GSP Soul Driver (Street Boss) and out of a half-sister to GISW Victor's Cry (Street Cry {Ire}) and GSP Clever Strike (Smart Strike), Aurora Tesoro was a $140K KEEJAN who brought $450K when re-offered at FTSAUG seven months later. B-John R Penn & Spendthrift Farm (KY)
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