Justify Filly Looking For Another ‘Awesome Result’ in Japan

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 Hakodate Racecourses:

Saturday, June 10, 2023
12th-HSN, ¥15,200,000 ($109k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1800m
AWESOME RESULT (f, 3, Justify–Blossomed, by Deputy Minister) opened her account with a 2 1/2-length victory over this course and distance last November (see below, SC 7) and makes her return to the races here. Produced by a half-sister to GSW Cinemine (Mining) and to the stakes-winning dam of three-time Japanese winner Ju Taro (Arrogate), Awesome Results is herself kin to 2018 GI Spinaway S. upsetter Sippican Harbor (Orb) and to the Grade III-placed Bodacious Babe (Mineshaft). Jockey Yuga Kawada sits narrowly atop the jockeys' premiership on 66 wins–two better than Christophe Lemaire–and has the assignment Saturday. B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY)

Sunday, June 11, 2023
11th-HAK, Hakodate Sprint S.-G3, ¥77.3m ($556k), 3yo/up, 6fT
JASPER KRONE (c, 4, Frosted–Fancy Kitten, by Kitten's Joy), a $25,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $90,000 OBS March breezer, has punched well above his weight on this tough circuit and enters off back-to-back scores over easy ground, capped by a victory going 1000 meters at Niigata May 7. The colt's stakes-placed dam was purchased for $10,000 by Machmer Hall in a private transaction at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton February Sale. Fancy Kitten's current 2-year-old, Ngannou (Mendelssohn), fetched $120,000 at KEESEP last fall and is up to five furlongs in his work at Santa Anita. B-Machmer Hall & Godolphin (KY)

Straight 1000m Shumpu Stakes Niigata in driving rain:

1st 4c 16. JASPER KRONE (Frosted x Fancy Kitten (Kitten's Joy)) x Suguru Hamanaka won by a Nose!

2nd 6h 14. HARMONY MAGELLAN (Daiwa Major x Stars Aligned (Sea The Stars)) x Shu Ishibash

56.9 pic.twitter.com/fH8ShiakSd

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) May 7, 2023