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 Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses, including the return to action of the exciting Group 3 winner Mr Melody (Scat Daddy)
Sunday, November 11, 2018
5th-KYO, ¥13,400,000 ($118k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT
PERKUNAS (JPN) (c, 2, Majesticperfection–Thundercup, by Thunder Gulch) is a full-brother to 2015 GI Longines Kentucky Oaks winner Lovely Maria, who was RNAd for $5K as a Keeneland November weanling one year after her dam fetched $32K with the filly in utero at Keeneland. Thundercup was acquired privately in 2015 and this is her first Japanese-bred foal. Second dam Buttercup (Baldski) was responsible for MGSW Rare Blend (Bates Motel). B-Shadai Farm
8th-KYO, ¥19,950,000 ($175k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1800m
YUMENO TOBIRA (f, 4, Bernardini–West Coast Swing, by Gone West) overwhelmed the opposition in her first three career appearances at Sonoda on the NAR circuit and most recently showed she could mix it at the major-league level with a comfortable victory going 1400m of this dirt course Oct. 8. The $250K KEESEP yearling is a daughter of 'TDN Rising Star' West Coast Swing, herself a half-sister to fellow 'Rising Star' GSW and promising young WinStar stallion Speighster (Speightstown). B-WinStar Farm LLC (KY)
11th-TOK, ¥44,350,000 ($390k), Open Hcp., 3yo/up, 1400mT
MR MELODY (c, 3, Scat Daddy–Trusty Lady, by Deputy Minister) makes a much-anticipated return to the races as he faces elders for the first time. A half-brother to GSP Trendy Lady (Unbridled's Song), Mr Melody set a Tokyo track record in graduating at first asking and made a successful transition to the turf with a defeat of fellow US-bred Asakusa Genki (Stormy Atlantic) in the G3 Falcon S. in March (see below, gate 10). He was last seen finishing a close fourth in the G1 NHK Mile Cup at this track. A $75K KEENOV buyback, Mr Melody fetched $100K as a KEESEP yearling in 2016 and $400K at the 2017 OBS April Sale. B-Bell Tower Thoroughbreds (KY) –Alan Carasso
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