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 weekend running at Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses:
Saturday, December 6, 2025
6th-HSN, ¥14,250,000 ($92k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200m
NARKISSOS (c, 2, Caravaggio–Queen's Turf {Jpn}, by Deep Impact {Jpn}), whose second dam Fratte Rosa (Jpn) (Brian's Time) is a full-sister to top Japanese dirt horse Furioso (Jpn), is the third runner from his dam and is a half-brother to connections' In Your Palace (Palace Malice), recent winner of the Listed Enif Stakes and Group 3-placed on the dirt earlier this season. O-Kobayashi Eiichi Holdings LLC; B-Winchester Farm (KY); T-Tatsuya Yoshioka
Sunday, December 7, 2025
3rd-NKY, ¥14,250,000 ($92k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
AMERICAN SAKURA (c, 2, Liam's Map–Schon, by Harlan's Holiday) cost 'American' owner Katsumi Yoshizawa some $400,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale is out of a half- or full-sister to four winners, including GI Manhattan Stakes hero Spring Quality (Quality Road) and the Grade III-winning turf marathoner Holiday Star (Harlan's Holiday). The colt's third dam is Alice Springs (Val de l'Orne), a three-time graded winner and dual Grade I-placed in this country for Augustin Stable and Jonathan Sheppard. O-Yoshizawa Holdings Co Ltd; B-Benson Farm (KY); T-Yoshito Yahagi
JWANENG (JPN) (f, 2, Gun Runner–Brilliant Cut, by Speightstown) is the first produce for her dam, third in the 2021 GII Santa Ynez Stakes and runner-up in that year's GI La Brea Stakes before being knocked down to Katsumi Yoshida for $775,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton February Sale. From the family of GISW Diamondrella (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), the Feb. 21 foal is kin to a now-yearling colt by Contrail (Jpn) that fetched the equivalent of $1.55 million from Susumu Fujita at the 2024 JRHA Select Sale. O-Sunday Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Racing; T-Toru Kurita
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