Chukyo

Gun Runner Filly Goes Long On Chukyo Debut Sunday

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 Sunday running at Chukyo Racecourse: 2nd-CKO, ¥11,280,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1900m AMERICAN DANCE (f, 3, Gun Runner--Miss Stormy D, by Tapizar), a $425,000 Keeneland September yearling, is the first foal to the races for her dam, a wide-margin stakes winner on the California...

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Expensive Mor Spirit Colt Figures Tough In Nakayama Allowance

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 Chukyo, Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, March 21, 2026 11th-CKO, Falcon S.-G3, ¥77,300,000 ($488k), 3yo, 1400mT PRINCESS MOKO (f, 3, Charlatan--Tiger Ride, by Candy Ride {Arg}) validated 7-10 favoritism in graduating first time out on the dirt at Kyoto last...

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Lighthouse Bay Filly Debuts For Shadai at Nakayama

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 Chukyo and Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, December 20, 2025 4th-NKY, ¥14,250,000 ($92k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m EXMOUTH (f, 2, Practical Joke--Lighthouse Bay, by Speightstown) looks to become the fifth winner from as many starters from her dam, winner of four...

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W Heart Bond (inside)
W Heart Bond Claims The Champions Cup By A Nose

W Heart Bond became only the second filly or mare to win the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo on Saturday. The daughter of Kizuna denied Wilson Tesoro (Kitasan Black) by a nostril in the 1800-metre affair formerly known as the Japan Cup Dirt. For the second year in a row, Wilson Tesoro was second by a nose in the Champions Cup. He also filled that position in 2023, but the margin in that instance was 1 1/4 lengths. Sent off at 6-1, the four-year-old filly was overeager before the gates...

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First Japanese-Foaled Runner Out Of Midnight Bisou Debuts at Niigata

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 Chukyo and Niigata Racecourses: Saturday, August 16, 2025 2nd-CKO, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT YUTO THE INNOCENT (c, 2, Yaupon--Keira, by Unusual Heat), a $42,000 Keeneland September yearling, fetched $110,000 at this year's OBS March sale after breezing a furlong...

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Mori-Trained OBS March Trio Look To Make Debut Statements

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 Chukyo and Niigata Racecourses: Saturday, July 26, 2025 3rd-NII, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT WEY YO (c, 2, Upstart--Sister Marette, by Cuvee) is a half-brother to the treble stakes-placed Taoiseach (Dublin) and sold for $90,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton New...

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Cool And Clair Clash Again In Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Sprinting is the order of the day at Chukyo on Sunday, as the 1200-metre G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen drew a full field of 18. The first two home last year, Dark Angel (Ire)'s Mad Cool (Ire) and Namura Clair (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), lock horns again after being separated by just a neck in the 2024 edition. The former was unplaced in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Cup in April and in the G1 Sprinters Stakes behind Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in September. He found Namura Clair too good in the G2...

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Nyquist Son Of Maedean Set For Hanshin Unveiling

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 Chukyo and Hanshin Racecourses: Saturday, March 22, 2025 2nd-HSN, ¥10,600,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m GYLFI (JPN) (c, 3, Nyquist--Maedean, by Tapit) is the first foal from her dam, a $450,000 Keeneland September yearling who would go on to win the...

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Into Mischief Son of MGISW Separationofpowers Set For Sophomore Debut

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 Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, March 15, 2025 3rd-NKY, ¥10,600,000 ($72k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m KNOCK SHRINE (JPN) (c, 3, Omaha Beach--Knock, by Tapit) is out of a daughter of Grade III winner Fencelineneighbor (Wild Rush) who was hammered down to...

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Princess Noor First Foal Romps On Dirt at Chukyo

3rd-Chukyo, ¥10,600,000 ($68,720), Maiden, 3yo, 1900m, 2:01.3, ft. RHINO (JPN) (c, 3, Into Mischief--Princess Noor {'TDN Rising Star', GISW, $363,500}, by Not This Time) was not disgraced when fourth in a pair of starts on the turf to begin his career, but was switching to the surface for which he was bred this time around and looked a different proposition altogether. Sent forward from gate one, Rhino was content to allow a rival to take up the running and sat a comfortable stalking trip from second down the backstretch. Awaiting...

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Coolmore Stallions Feature Prominently In Japanese Newcomers' Events

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 Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, January 25, 2025 3rd-CKO, ¥11,850,000 ($76k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1400m BLUE AROMA (f, 3, American Pharoah--Comical, by Into Mischief) is the first foal from her dam, winner of the 2019 GIII Schuylerville Stakes, second in the...

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Japanese-Foaled Authentic Filly Debuts at Chukyo

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 Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, January 18, 2025 3rd-CKO, ¥11,850,000 ($76k), Newcomers, 3yo, f, 1400m TEMPESTARII (JPN) (f, 3, Authentic--Flying Tipat, by Tapit) is the first Japanese-foaled produce for her dam, a stakes-placed full-sister to dual Grade I winner Tapitsfly....

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