Nakayama

From an aesthetic perspective, the only similarity between Sodashi (Jpn), the world's most recognizable and talented white galloper, and her year-younger full-sister Mama Cocha (Jpn) (Kurofune) is the latter's broad blaze, but they now have something else in common, namely Group 1 winner, after Mama Cocha dove across the line to narrowly best Mad Cool (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in Sunday's Sprinters S. at Nakayama Racecourse. Favoured Namura Clair (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) was a further length back in third. "This filly is a completely different type of horse comparing...

After a break of just over 100 days, elite-level racing returns to the Japanese racing scene, as a full field of 18 is set to face the starter in Sunday's Sprinters' S. at Nakayama Racecourse. Five of the entrants are making a repeat appearance in the 1200-metre test, including Namura Clair (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), who was a sound fifth in last year's running in what was her final appearance as a 3-year-old. After besting First Force (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G3 Silk Road S. in January, the...

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 venue plays host to the first Group 1 event of the fall season, Sunday's Sprinters' S., which features the lightning-quick US-bred Jasper Krone (Frosted): Saturday, September 30, 2023 4th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($92k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT...

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 Saturday running at Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses. Sunday's horses of note will appear in Saturday's TDN: Saturday, September 23, 2023 3rd-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m ACE AND KING (JPN) (c, 2, Yoshida {Jpn}--Curlins B F F, by Curlin) was acquired in utero...

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. Being a three-day weekend on the JRA, Japanese results will appear in next Wednesday's TDN: Saturday, September 16, 2023 4th-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m SORREL BULLET (c, 2, Malibu Moon--Curluck, by Curlin), a $310,000 purchase...

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: Saturday, September 9, 2023 4th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m LUDIQUE (c, 2, Into Mischief--Miss Besilu, by Medaglia d'Oro), whose dam was third in the GI Alabama S. and GI CCA Oaks in 2014 and was...

For the first time in what seems a lifetime--13 years, to be precise--no 3-year-old son of Deep Impact (Jpn) heads to the gate for the opening leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) at Nakayama Racecourse. But the 2000-metre affair does not lack for intrigue, as a typically full field of 18 is set to face the starter Sunday afternoon. Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) could continue a magical roll for his sire--who is also responsible for the world's top-rated runner Equinox (Jpn)--and...

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 Nakayama and Hanshin Racecourses, the latter of which plays host to the season's first Japanese Classic, the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) for the 3-year-old fillies: Saturday, April 8, 2023 4th-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($79k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m WORLDS COLLIDE (c,...

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: Saturday, April 1, 2023 1st-HSN, ¥10,480,000 ($79k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400m TAKE A STAB (JPN) (f, 3, Justify--It Was Magic, by War Front) is the first foal out of a daughter of 2011 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas...

Imperious during the early part of his 2022 season, Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) stormed home to take the G2 Nikkei Sho by eight lengths at Nakayama on Saturday. The Hiroshi Yamada-owned and Toru Kurita-trained entire was the 7-5 favourite. In charge practically from the bell, the Okada Stud-bred had things mostly his own way throughout the 2500-metre contest. Lightly pressed by Diastima (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) on the backstretch, he continued to click off reasonable fractions while unruffled and soon increased his lead approaching the final turn. Engaging the afterburners,...

Sent off the 3-2 favorite, Mitono O (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}) led every step of the way en route to a 2 1/2-length victory in Saturday's nine-furlong Fukuryu S. (allowance) at rain-soaked Nakayama Racecourse. The win was worth 40 points on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and secures connections a berth in the Run for the Roses should they choose to accept. Soon in front for jockey Takuya Kowata, the blaze-faced chestnut went along comfortably on the lead, cruising through an opening 800-meter split of :49 flat and six...

Just days after his son Equinox (Jpn) was named both champion of his generation and Horse of the Year in Japan, Kitasan Black (Jpn) could well have another player on this year's Classics trail in the form of Sol Oriens (Jpn), who took his record to two-from-two with a convincing victory in Sunday's G3 Keisei Hai at Nakayama. The slight second choice in the wagering behind Seven Magician (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}), the Shadai homebred was void of early speed and raced with about three rivals behind into the...