By Alan Carasso
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 Hakodate Racecourse:
Sunday, July 19, 2026
11th-HAK, Hakodate Nisai S.-G3, ¥65m ($400k), 2yo, 1200mT
SHIGURE (f, 2, Twirling Candy–Ferdinanda, by Giant's Causeway) was all the rage as the 3-10 favorite on debut over this course and distance June 28 and she needed only to be steered in the right direction by the legendary Yutaka Take, scoring by a half-dozen lengths while never asked a serious question. The Virginia-bred, a $150,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, is out of a stakes-winning half-sister to Out For a Spin (Hard Spun), who returned 52-1 in upsetting the 2019 GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes, and to SW Sweet Victory (Blame). The extended female family includes GISW Bandini (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Stormy Atlantic (Storm Cat). Take has the call again for trainer Hidenori Take. O-KSHD; B-Ann Mudge Backer/Smitten Farm (VA); T-Hidenori Take
【武豊絶賛】「僕は乗っていただけだった。」
レジェンドがここまで能力を認めるのは極めて珍しい──。
函館記念の長い審議の裏で、ほとんど話題にならなかった一頭の新馬「シグレ」。
✔ 馬なりで坂路4F50秒7
✔ ほぼ追わずに6馬身圧勝
✔ 武豊騎手も絶賛した逸材
✔ 血統から見える将来性とは？… pic.twitter.com/Dg8YBAQSqV— DJ YUDAI(元競馬騎手) (@DJ_YUDAI_1988) July 1, 2026
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