December, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: Dec. 4 & 5, 2021

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 Chukyo Racecourses. American-bred Cafe Pharoah and the American-sired Danon Pharaoh (Jpn) are among a field of 16 for Sunday's G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo, a group led by the rail-drawn 3-year-old filly Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune). Click here for a preview:

Saturday, December 4, 2021
4th-CKO, ¥9,680,000 ($85k), Maiden, 2yo, 1600mT
SPEED GLAMOUR (f, 2, Into Mischief–Island Escape, by Petionville) has finished runner-up in her last two, a seven-furlong turf maiden at Tokyo Oct. 10 and a similar finish over that main track 13 days later (see below, SC 3). A $250K Keeneland September RNA turned $500,000 OBS March breezer is out of a three-time stakes-winning mare who is also responsible for Tricky Escape (Hat Trick {Jpn}), herself a treble Grade III winner on turf (x2) and sloppy dirt. This is also the extended female family of Grade I winners Wild Syn (Wild Again) and Awesome Humor (Distorted Humor). B-Machmer Hall (KY)

Sunday, December 5, 2021
4th-NKY, ¥13,400,000 ($118k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200m
FREUD SENSE (c, 2, Street Sense–Fenwick Hall, by Freud) is the second foal from his stakes-placed dam, a full-sister to MSW Miss Narcissist. Bought back on a bid of $110K at KEESEP last fall, the New York-bred fetched $160K at OBSMAR after working a quarter-mile in :21 flat. Freud Sense hails from the female family of Mighty Eros (Freud), the stakes-winning dam of GSW & GISP Faypien (Ghostzapper). B-Final Furlong Stable (NY)

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After the Finish Line’s Breeders’ Cup Hat Auction to Charity

After the Finish Line will host the 6th Annual Charity Auction of Breeders' Cup Hats opening this Sunday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. ET at ebay.com/str/afterthefinishline. The auction, which lasts for one week, will feature over 50 Breeders' Cup hats from the 2021 World Championships at Del Mar, donated by the horses' connections, as well as hats from past winners. The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) will receive a portion of proceeds. A number of other aftercare organizations will receive the proceeds from their chosen hat.

“This auction brings aftercare and horse racing fans together in a unique way,” said Dawn Mellen, president and founder of After the Finish Line. “This helps raise awareness about the importance of aftercare for racing fans. We are excited to help build the bridge between racing and aftercare with this annual auction.”

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All Eyes On Sodashi In Champions Cup

The world's best-known–not to mention most-talented–white Thoroughbred, Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) gets a different sort of test when she tries the dirt for the first time in Sunday's G1 Champions Cup (ex Japan Cup Dirt) at Chukyo Racecourse, a race won in scintillating fashion by her sire 20 years ago.

Named the champion of her generation when capping a perfect freshman campaign in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies last December, Sodashi resumed with a victory in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) over the metric mile Apr. 11, but did not see out the 12 furlongs of the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) May 23, finishing eighth to Uberleben (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}). Given a break, Sodashi defeated history-maker Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Aug. 23 G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000mT), but weakened to 10th after racing prominently as the odds-on favourite in the G1 Shuka Sho (2000mT) Oct. 17.

In addition to her sire's dirt exploits, her equally popular dam Buchiko (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) was a four-time winner on the main track and is a half-sister to Yukichan (Jpn) (Kurofune), a three-time stakes winner on the dirt.

“On her pedigree, it looks like she'll be able to perform on dirt, and in her training uphill she's been running well and posting good times,” said trainer Naosuke Sugai of the rail-drawn Sodashi. “I think she's well prepared for her first run on dirt over 1800 metres. I hope she can be well forward and not use up too much, too soon.”

SODASHI just drew Gate 1 for the G1 1800m Champions Cup on Sunday, her first run on Dirt https://t.co/UM4jbg0AuO

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) December 2, 2021

Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) rallied from midfield to scoop this valuable prize last year before venturing abroad to be ninth in the Feb. 20 Saudi Cup and runner-up in the G1 Dubai World Cup the following month. Sixth to T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) in the Listed Teio Sho at Ohi in June, the 6-year-old prepped for this with a sound third–with T O Keynes fourth–in the Listed JBC Classic at Kanazawa Nov. 3.

American Pharoah is represented by a pair of runners, each drawn awkwardly. Danon Pharaoh (Jpn) has gate 14 and made the Listed Diolite Kinen in March his one success from four runs this term. He exits a seventh after racing handy to the pace in the JBC Classic. Drawn widest of the 16 is Cafe Pharoah, a low-odds sixth behind Chuwa Wizard last December after winning this track's G3 Sirius S., and who took out this year's G1 February S. at Tokyo. But has generally struggled over the NAR tracks and was fifth to Casino Fountain (Jpn) (Casino Drive) in the Listed Kashiwa Kinen at Funabashi in May, and is best forgiven for a ninth-place effort when trying the grass for the first time in the G3 Hakodate Kinen in July. The 4-year-old makes his first start since.

The relatively lightly raced Sunrise Hope (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior) has risen through the grades this term and is understandably well in the market off his last-out success in the Sirius S. Oct. 2.

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Piassek’s Plays: Looking to the Future at Tampa Bay Downs

In his regular gambling blog, John Piassek presents his top picks for the upcoming weekend in horse racing, offering betting options at different budget levels. Piassek’s Plays is brought to you by Horseplayers.com, the official online qualifying site of the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) and National Horseplayers Championship (NHC).