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 Nakayama and Hanshin Racecourses:
Saturday, September 27, 2025
4th-NKY, ¥14,250,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
FINGER (JPN) (c, 2, Gun Runner–Estilo Talentoso, by Maclean's Music) is the first foal from his dam, a $15,000 OBS June purchase back in 2019 who punched well above her weight as a seven-furlong specialist, winning the GIII Bed o' Roses Stakes while placing in the GI Madison Stakes and GI Derby City Distaff Stakes. Estilo Talentoso was knocked down to J S Company for $600,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale and was covered by this leading stallion prior to being exported. Keita Tosaki has the riding assignment. O-M's Racing; B-Masahiko Sugino; T-Hiroyasu Tanaka
5th-NKY, ¥14,500,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT
JASPER MERCHE (f, 2, Charlatan–Nickel, by Unbridled's Song) was bought back on a bid of $95,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale and that proved a wise decision after the Apr. 11 foal changed hands for $200,000 following a :10 flat breeze at this year's OBS April Sale. A half-sister to MSP Eyes On the King (Street Sense), the bay looks to become a fifth winner for her dam, a half-sister to GII Matron Stakes winner Doremifasollatido (Bernstein); and to GSW turf mare Fortunate Damsel (Runaway Groom). O-Kazuo Kato; B-Rigney Racing LLC (KY); T-Hideyuki Mori
Sunday, September 28, 2025
2nd-HSN, ¥10,600,000 ($71k), Maiden, 2yo, 1400mT
MITILINI (JPN) (f, 2, Tapit–Midnight Bisou, by Midnight Lute) turned in a debut effort that was full of promise, finishing a good second going this distance at Niigata Aug. 16. The bay filly is one of two to race out of the 2019 Eclipse Award-winning older female and five-time Grade I winner, who was hammered down to Katsumi Yoshida for a sales-topping $5.5 million at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale. She had previously fetched $5 million at Fasig-Tipton November in 2020. O-Sunday Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Racing; T-Tomokazu Takano
4th-HSN, ¥14,250,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
MUTEKI SHACHO (c, 2, Beau Liam–Mistress of Evil, by Frosted), whose dam was acquired for $26,000 with this colt in utero at the 2023 OBS January Sale, returned a healthy sum on that investment when selling for $130,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton July Sale in Kentucky. The Apr. 15 foal was another OBSAPR purchase for this trainer, hammering for $250,000 after drilling an eighth of a mile in :10 flat. Out of a half-sister to MSW & GSP Opus Forty Two (Mendelssohn), the bay hails from the deeper female family of GSW Heart Ashley, the dam of dual Japanese group winner Fiano Romano (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). O-Miki House HK Service Co Ltd; B-Exhale Enterprises LLC (KY); T-Hideyuki Mori
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