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 Kokura, Niigata and Sapporo Racecourses:
Saturday, August 3, 2019
4th-KOK, ¥9,550,000 ($88k), Maiden, 3yo, 1700m
MONUMENT KING (c, 3, Creative Cause–Overvalued, by Forest Grove) cost Shadai Farm $500K at Keeneland September in 2017, easily the most expensive of his sire's 30 yearlings reported as sold that year. Well beaten in a single try on grass to kick off his career, he is bred to be much better on the dirt, as his dam was a four-time stakes winner over the surface in Western Canada and is a half-sister to Our Majesty (Majesticperfection), runner-up in the 2017 GIII Miss Preakness S. B-Brereton C Jones (KY)
Sunday, August 4, 2019
3rd-SAP, ¥9,550,000 ($88k), Maiden, 3yo, 1700m
BEST MAGIC (c, 3, Speightstown–Glinda the Good, by Hard Spun), a half-brother to Eclipse Award-winning juvenile and MGISW Good Magic (Curlin), was dispatched the 17-10 favorite for his Nakayama debut this past January and just failed by a nose to fellow US-bred Maria's Heart (Shanghai Bobby). A $200K KEESEP yearling turned $700K OBS April breezer, the dark bay is out of a MSW & GSP dam who is a half-sister to GSW & GISP turf distaffer Take the Ribbon (Chester House), SW & GSP Flash Forward (Curlin) and SW & GSP Flash Mash (Smarty Jones). Third dam Gils Magic (Magesterial) produced GISW Magical Maiden (Lord Avie) who in turn bred GISW Miss Houdini (Belong to Me). B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY)
7th-NII, ¥9,550,000 ($88k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
DOVER TESORO (c, 3, Union Rags–Miss Emilia, by War Front) has one racetrack appearance under his belt, a solid fourth going this distance at Nakayama Apr. 7 (see below, gate 1). Produced by a half-sister to French SW & GSP War Officer (Grand Slam), SW Doo Lang (Pulpit) and MGSP Danceland (Tapit), the April foal hails from the female family of G1SW War Command (War Front) and GSW Naval Officer (Tale of the Cat). Offered in utero, but bought back on a bid of $195K at KEENOV in 2015, the April foal was a $135K KEENOV weanling and 210K gns ($288K) Tattersalls October yearling. B-Chadds Ford Stable LLC (KY)
11th-NII, Leopard S.-G3, ¥76m ($703k), 3yo, 1800m
AVANCE (c, 3, Uncle Mo&log=">Uncle Mo–Above Heaven, by Mr. Greeley) has finished out of the top three just once in five starts and exits a handy victory going this trip at Hanshin June 8. The colt's dam is an unraced daughter of 2007 GI Alabama S. victress Lady Joanne (Orientate), herself a half-sister to 2011 GI Preakness S. hero Shackleford (Forestry), MGSWs Baghdaria (Royal Academy) and Afleeting Lady (Afleet Alex) and SW & GSP Stephanoatsee (A.P. Indy). B-Dr Masatake Iida (KY)
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
