In this ongoing 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, Kokura and Nakayama Racecourses, featuring the sophomore debut of a Group 2-winning son of Kitten's Joy in a key prep towards this year's Japanese Classics:
Saturday, March 3, 2018
7th-KOK, ¥14,250,000 ($133k), Allowance, 4yo/up, 1700m
HURRICANE BAROWS (h, 5, Uncle Mo&log=">Uncle Mo–Naughty Mambo, by Kingmambo) has blossomed since switching to the dirt, having broken his maiden in his first start over that surface in June 2016 (video, gate 6) before adding an allowance victory in his most visit to the races in January 2017 (video, gate 13). A $120K KEESEP yearling turned $300K FTFMAR breezer, the 5-year-old is out of a half-sister to Sovereign Award winner and US GISW Negligee (Northern Afleet). B-Dr Naoya Yoshida & Bill Justice (KY)
11th-NKY, Ocean S.-G3, ¥77m ($723k), 4yo/up, 1200mT
RIENO TESORO (f, 4, Speightstown–Akilina, by Langfuhr), undefeated and a two-time stakes winner at two, did not get her picture taken in six runs last year, but turned in a cracking effort to finish runner-up against the boys in the G1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo last May (video, gate 14). A $250K FTSAUG purchase, the New York-bred is a half-sister to SW & MGSP Governor Malibu (Malibu Moon) and is out of a half-sister to the dam of GII Holy Bull S. hero Audible (Into Mischief) (click here for a related Chris McGrath feature) B-Oak Bluff Stables LLC (NY)
Sunday, March 4, 2018
6th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($128k), Allowance, 3yo, 1800m
SOUL SABER (c, 3, Street Sense&log=">Street Sense–Cornelia, by Forty Niner) did not land a significant blow in a pair of tries over 1400m to begin his career, but stretched to a route of ground for the first time at Kokura two weeks ago and duly donned cap and gown. The dark bay is out of a full-sister to the successful Sunday Break (Jpn) while second dam Catequil (Storm Cat) is also responsible for champions Kizuna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Phalaenopsis (Jpn) (Brian's Time). B-Dr Stephen G & Debbie Jackson (KY)
6th-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($128k), Allowance, 3yo, 1600mT
RAMSES BAROWS (c, 3, Curlin">Curlin–Devious Intent, by Dixie Union) is the first foal from his Grade III-winning dam, purchased by Stonestreet for $350K at FTKFEB in 2014, and has yet to finish worse than second in three appearances. A debut second on soft Tokyo turf, the $425K KEESEP yearling and $350K OBSMAR juvenile, won his maiden first time on the dirt last November (video, gate 6) and was the narrowly beaten runner-up when trying winners for the first time Jan. 27 (video, gate 8). B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY)
11th-NKY, Yayoi Sho-G2, ¥104m ($969k), 3yo, 2000mT
GENDARME (c, 3, Kitten's Joy–Believe {Jpn}, by Sunday Silence) annexed the first two starts of his career, including the G2 Daily Hai Nisai S. (video, gate 3), and was last seen charging home to be second in the G1 Hopeful S. Dec. 28 (video, gate 15). The Koji Maeda homebred, a son of Japan's champion older mare of 2003, is kin to SW & MGSP Faridat (Kingmambo) and SW & GSP Fiducia (Medaglia d'Oro) from the same El Prado (Ire) sire line. Yutaka Take has the call. B-North Hills Co Ltd (KY)
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