Bearing the burden of favouritism in this fully subscribed 18-strong affair, the 4-year-old will leave from stall six. Never worse than fourth in his past 10 trips to the post, Lugal ran second in the G3 Keihan Hai to Toshin Macau (Jpn) (Big Arthur {Jpn}) in his sophomore finale in November, with that rival returning to add the G3 Ocean S. to his ledger at Nakayama, defeating Big Caesar (Jpn) (Big Arthur {Jpn}) on Mar. 2. The favourite, too, made a winning 2024 bow, taking the G3 Silk Road S. going this trip at Kyoto on Jan. 28.

Trainer Haruki Sugiyama said of Lugal, “He was in great shape for the Silk Road S. and he started well. Two weeks ago, his fast work up the hill was very impressive. Last week, even with the bad ground, his footwork was almost too good. He's still a bit heavy, but I think with one more workout he'll be ready.”

Mama Cocha (Jpn) (Kurofune), winner of the G1 Sprinters S. in October defeating Mad Cool (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the process, finished her year with a fifth-place effort to Win Marvel (Jpn) (I'll Have Another) in the 1400-metre G2 Hanshin Cup in December. That rival, meanwhile, made a winning 2024 start in the G3 Hankyu Hai over the 1400-metre trip and will be cutting back to that distance for the first time since finishing sixth to Mama Cocha in the Sprinters.

Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer of the Mama Cocha, said, “She's heading into the race without a prep mainly due to the fact that I didn't see a race that suited her regarding such things as the weight she'd have to carry or the distance. However, she is a horse that does well with a sharpener, so I brought her back to Ritto early and the work she has been getting should be enough to cover for the lack. I think she's in the same condition as she was for the Sprinters S. As for the race strategy, I'm leaving all the details up to Yuga Kawada. I think she can handle the distance. I'm just hoping the weather will hold.”

The Takamatsunomiya Kinen also features Hong Kong raider Victor The Winner (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) (Friday's gallop), who leaves from stall 10 under Derek Leung for trainer Danny Shum. Hong Kong's Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) first scooped the prize in 2015. The 5-year-old, who will be racing left-handed for the first time, claimed the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin going this trip on Jan. 28.

“He arrived late on Monday after quarantine,” Leung told the Hong Kong Jockey Club notes team. “There was a traffic jam, so he was spent a lot of time on the truck. At first, he was a little bit tired but after that, he was fine. The first time he galloped, he had a look around–same as at Sha Tin, he always looks around. It was a bit exciting for him because it was quite new.

“In the gallop, when I asked him for a little effort, he did it for me. The last 200 [metres], he gave me a good finish–not too tough for him. It was good.”

The G3 Kyoto Himba S. one-two of So Dazzling (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Namura Clair (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), who ran second in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen and third in Mama Cocha's Sprinters S. both in 2023, will leave from gates eight and three, respectively. Last year's G1 NHK Mile Cup heroine Champagne Color (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) will be trying the shortest trip of her career on Sunday, and is to the immediate outside of So Dazzling.

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Fourth last through the early going as Orchid Romance (Jpn) (Roger Barows {Jpn}) led, the 12-1 shot was able to relax behind a rapid pace, with the first 1000 metres reached in :57 flat. He gathered himself on the turn and fanned out into the centre of the course at the 400-metre mark. Making up ground with every stride, Danon McKinley ground past the G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. third and won by a half-length. It was two lengths back to Sonshi (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who had enjoyed a stalking trip for much of this contest.

First in both a newcomer affair at Hanshin in September and in a Kyoto allowance in November, Danon McKinley was eighth to Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice) in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. a month later. Wheeled back in the Jan. 27 Listed Crocus S., he improved to fifth over this trip in Tokyo.

Pedigree Notes

Danon McKinley is the 26th stakes winner worldwide (18th group) for Shadai Stallion Station's Maurice, who also shuttles to Arrowfield Stud in Australia. The 13-year-old son of Screen Hero (Jpn) was Japanese Horse of the Year, Champion Sprinter and Champion Miler in Japan in 2015. His quintet of top-level winners include Australian three-time Group 1 winner Hitotsu (Aus), while Jack D'Or (Jpn) won the G1 Osaka Hai, Mazu claimed the G1 Doomben 10,000 back in Oz, Geraldina (Jpn) struck in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Pixie Knight (Jpn) prevailed in the G1 Sprinters S.

2012 G1 1000 Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen left five Galileo (Ire) foals in Ireland with a record of four winners from four runners and three stakes horses. The best of these was Shale (Ire), who won the G1 Moyglare Stud S. and Berkeley Square (Ire), who was third in the G2 Futurity S. Acquired privately by Japanese interests, Homecoming Queen foaled the 4-year-old winner Irish Pearl (Jpn) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). Next is the ¥220,000,000 JRHA Select yearling and Falcon S. hero, who has a juvenile half-sister by Kizuna (Jpn) and a yearling half-brother by Epiphaneia (Jpn). In 2023, Homecoming Queen–a half-sister to Group 1 winners Dylan Thomas (Ire) (Danehill) and Queen's Logic (Ire) (Grand Lodge)–visited Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn).

Saturday, Chukyo, Japan
CHUNICHI SPORTS SHO FALCON S.-G3, ¥78,150,000, Chukyo, 3-16, 3yo, 1400mT, 1:20.20, fm.
1–DANON MCKINLEY (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Maurice (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Homecoming Queen(Ire) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Eng
                                at 7-9 1/2f, G1SW-Eng, GSW-Ire, $458,335),
                                by Holy Roman Emperor(Ire)
                2nd Dam: Lagrion, by Diesis (GB)
                3rd Dam: Wrap It Up (Ire), by Mount Hagen (Fr)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. (¥220,000,000 Ylg '22
JRHAJUL). O-Danox Inc.; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Hideaki
Fujiwara; J-Yuichi Kitamura; ¥41,595,000. Lifetime Record:
5-3-0-0, ¥61,684,000. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick
   Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Orchid Romance (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Roger Barows (Jpn)–
Echinacea (Jpn), by Snitzel (Aus). O/B-Mill Farm (Jpn);
¥16,170,000.
3–Sonshi (Ire), 126, c, 3, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Afdhaad (GB),
by Nayef. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE.
(€125,000 Ylg '22 GOFFEB; 200,000gns RNA Ylg '22 TATOCT;
$300,000 2yo '23 OBSSPR). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Shadwell
Estate Company Limited (Ire); ¥10,085,000.
Margins: HF, 2, 1. Odds: 12.60, 11.30, 1.30.
Also Ran: Namura Atom (Jpn), Logi Leon (Jpn), Uncle Cross (Jpn), Fender (Jpn), Enya Love Faith (Jpn), Strauss (Jpn), Taiki Vainqueur (Jpn), Satomino Kirari (Jpn), Captain Neki (Jpn), Hakusan Eagle (Jpn), Aim For Ace (Jpn), Val d'Orcia (Jpn), Kris Arthur (Jpn), Miltenberg (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video.

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Sunday, March, 17, 2024
2nd-CKO, ¥10,480,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400m
LA LA MONSTRE (c, 3, Mitole–Speightastic, by Speightstown), a $390,000 KEESEP acquisition, was unplaced in a couple of tries on the grass last November and switches to the dirt for his sophomore debut. The colt's dam, a full-sister to three-time stakes winner and Grade III-placed Bayerd, was purchased by Cove Springs for $65,000 at KEENOV in 2017, and her now 2-year-old colt by Not This Time was hammered down to Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm for $725,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. B-Cove Springs LLC (KY)

1st-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
AMERICAN RUNNER (c, 3, Gun Runner–Acqua Fresh (Uru), by Ecclesiastic) was a debut ninth going a mile over the Tokyo dirt last November but improved to be second with a stretch out to this trip at this venue Feb. 25. The January foal, a $125,000 Keeneland September purchase, is out of the Uruguayan champion 3-year-old filly of 2016 who changed hands for $45,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale. This is also the female family of Repent and Canadian champion King Ruckus. Christophe Lemaire has the call. B-Michael J Snyder & Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY)

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Sunday, March 10, 2024
3rd-CKO, ¥10,400,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400mT
KAFUJI NIHONIUM (c, 3, Kitten's Joy–Broken Dreams, by Broken Vow) represents six generations of Glen Hill Farm breeding and is out of a Grade III-winning dam who produced Caribou Club (City Zip), a graded winner in California, Maryland and Canada. A $190,000 Keeneland September yearling, the May-foaled chestnut counts GI Breeders' Cup Distaff upsetter One Dreamer (Relaunch) as his third dam. B-Glen Hill Farm (KY)

3rd-HSN, ¥10,480,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
JUN FIRENZE (JPN) (c, 3, Ghostzapper–Street Cash, by Street Boss), whose dam cost $95,000 with this colt in utero at the 2020 Keeneland November sale, is out of a daughter of 2000 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup winner Collect the Cash (Dynaformer), also the dam of 2010 GI Toyota Blue Grass S. winner Stately Victor (Ghostzapper) and the GSP duo of Hot Cash (Ghostzapper) and Bay Street Money (Street Sense). An April foal, the bay colt changed hands for ¥16.5 million ($120,495) at the 2022 Hokkaido Selection Yearling Sale. B-Yuki Dendo

11th-HSN, Fillies' Revue-G2, ¥99m ($688k), 3yo, f, 1400mT
JUNE BLAIR (f, 3, American Pharoah–Lap of Luxury {Ire}) carried Yutaka Take to a half-length victory in a 1200-meter newcomers event at Nakayama Oct. 1 (see below, SC 1) and was not beaten far when seventh behind eventual champion Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice) in the G2 Daily Hai Nisai S. when tried over a mile at Kyoto Nov. 11. The $275,000 Keeneland September acquisition is out of a half-sister to Group 1-winning sire Dutch Art (GB) (Medicean {GB}) and a full-sister to GSW/G1SP Keeneland November topper Up (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose four winners from six to race include last year's GII Lake Placid S. winner Aspray (Quality Road), G1SP Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah) and GSP Khartoum (Pioneerof the Nile). She makes her first start in sex-restricted company here. B-Diamond Creek Farm (KY)

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Saturday, December 16, 2023
5th-CKO, ¥13,720,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
WET SEASON (c, 2, Mendelssohn–Season Maker, by Pioneerof the Nile) is out of a daughter of Seasons Greetings (Ire) (Ezzoud {Ire}), a stakes winner and placed three times at group level in France, but better known as the dam of Grace Hall (Empire Maker), winner of the GI Spinaway S. and runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2011; as well as G1 Prix Ganay runner-up Wren's Day (Medaglia d'Oro). This colt's half-brother Hardwired (Hard Spun) won two of his first three starts, including his debut, and was most recently unplaced in Group 3 competition. B-Godolphin (KY)

INDICATOR (JPN) (c, 2, Liam's Map–Ice Cream Silence, by Street Sense) is the first Japanese-foaled starter for his dam, upset winner of the 2013 GIII Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland for G. Watts Humphrey and Rusty Arnold and later sold to J S Company for $70,000 with this colt in utero at the 2020 Keeneland November sale. Having been foaled Feb. 21, 2021, Indicator took his spot in the ring for the JRHA Select Sale about five months later and was hammered down for ¥19 million ($172,173). B-Okada Stud

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Saturday, December 9, 2023
6th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($96k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
SEXY BOUQUET (f, 2, Liam's Map–Shurakaa, by Tapit) cost $180,000 as a Keeneland September yearling and is out of a daughter of 2007 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), the dam of this year's G3 New Zealand Cup winner Mahrajaan (Kitten's Joy) and the stakes-winning Aghareed (Kingmambo). The latter's notable roduce includes the sensational five-time Group 1 winner Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), twice successful at the top level, including this year's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. Aghareed is also the dam of Naqeeb (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), listed-placed over 14 furlongs on turf this term. B-Shadwell Farm LLC (KY)

6th-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($96k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
COSMO GIN BUCK (JPN) (c, 2, Good Magic–Disposablepleasure, by Giacomo) is set to become the fourth to the races for his dam, the 2011 GII Demoiselle S. winner and runner-up in the GI Mother Goose S. the following season. A half-sister to SW & GSP Romantic Hideaway (City Zip), Disposablepleasure was purchased by this breeder for $35,000 carrying this colt in utero at the 2020 Keeneland November sale. B-Big Red Farm

9th-HSN, ¥20,370,000 ($142k), Allowance, 2yo, 2000mT
OSCAR BRAVE (c, 2, Oscar Performance–Russian Symbol {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}) opened his account at first asking with a front-running, one-length victory over 1800 meters at Kyoto Nov. 11 (see below, SC 7) and looks to retain the winning thread here while adding a bit more real estate. The Mar. 7 foal is out of a full-sister to three-time Group 1 winner and multiple French champion Esoterique (Ire), one of five full black-type winners and 11 winners from 13 runners overall for second dam Dievotchka (GB) (Dancing Brave). B-Nancy S Dillman (KY)

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Drawn 15 of 15 for Sunday's 1800-metre event, Godolphin's Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) not only had that to overcome, but also lingering questions as to his ability to stay a trip this far. After all, his trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka needed some convincing by the Godolphin braintrust to try him in the G1 February S., a 1600-metre affair, which he duly won with something in the locker.

A trip to Dubai was ultimately decided upon, the G1 Golden Shaheen (1200m) versus the G2 Godolphin Mile. Lemon Pop was ultimately no factor, but even as many as eight months ago, Godolphin Japan President Harry Sweeney mentioned the Champions Cup as a potential target in a Q&A with this reporter ahead of World Cup night. That brand of outside-the-box thinking paid off handsomely Sunday afternoon at Chukyo Racecourse, as Lemon Pop became the fourth horse to win both JRA Group 1 dirt races in the same calendar year.

Favoured–albeit midly so at $3.80 (14-5)–Lemon Pop broke a bit to his right, but very alertly, and managed to show enough speed to come across the entire field and lead out from this year's G2 UAE Derby runner-up Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) with 2021 winner T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) enjoying the gun run from third.

Lemon Pop had done some work to get there, having clocked :23.5 for the opening 400 metres, but he came back to Ryusei Sakai and got the opening 800m in :48.8, with Dura Erede keeping him honest. Traveling nicely within himself with his jockey sitting against him–similar to his win in the February–Lemon Pop was clear into the straight, pinched what appeared to be a winning break and was home comfortably first as Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) jumped out of the ground for second at rough odds. Dura Erede settled for a creditable third. Multiple international group winner Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) was disappointing in 11th with a bit of a wide trip, while the previously unbeaten Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) finished 10th.

“Christmas has come early for us in Japan! And indeed if Santa Claus doesn't turn up in three weeks' time, we won't be too upset,” Sweeney said on the Godolphin website. “Lemon Pop was awesome today–there can be no denying that. No horse drawn in the outside three stalls has even made the frame in the last decade, so Lemon Pop needed to overcome the obstacle of the widest draw of all. Also, doing it from the front is probably not the easiest way to win a Group 1, but he had little alternative because of the draw and it was another excellent ride for Ryusei Sakai. In truth, he looked all over the winner when turning in–he was still traveling very well while everyone else was hard at work.”

In the aforementioned Q&A, Sweeney spoke of the honour of bringing a Godolphin-owned Japanese-based runner to Dubai to race before His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. A similar plan was in the works in 2021, when Lemon Pop was an intended runner in the UAE Derby, having won the 2020 Cattleya Sho on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. But the injury bug bit, dashing those plans. His victory Sunday opens a few more doors as the calendar turns to 2024.

“Though five years old, he is relatively lightly raced and over four seasons has only run a total of 14 times,” Sweeney said. “As he is in great form, we are hoping to keep him in training for another year and will be considering the G1 Saudi Cup before hopefully going back to Dubai in March.”

A horse that has passed every test that's been set for him, Lemon Drop would have to be considered a major player in Riyadh and/or at Meydan.

A big thrill…the wonderful Lemon Pop, who we bred in the USA, wins another Group 1.
He is arguably the best horse on dirt in Japan and the global stage awaits in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
Congrats to his owner @godolphin and to @PadraigCampion who raised him for us in Kentucky. https://t.co/aZFRogRwki

— Twin Hills Stud (@TwinHillsStud) December 3, 2023

Pedigree Notes:

On behalf of former Darley executive Olly Tait and his wife, Blandford Bloodstock went to 165,000gns for Unreachable from the Juddmonte draft at the 2012 Tattersalls December Mares Sale. Unreachable is a daughter of Harpia, a full-sister to the highly influential Danehill as well as Eagle Eyed and Shibboleth, etc., and is a half-sister to the stakes-placed First Word (Chester House) and Redesdale (Speightstown). This is also the family of Dundonnell (First Defence), a Group 3 winner in England, a listed winner in Hong Kong and Group 3-placed in Dubai.

Unreachable was offered in foal to Good Magic at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale and was led out unsold on a bid of $55,000, but Chad Schumer acquired the mare privately for $50,000 on behalf of Jay and Christine Hayden's Saintsbury Farms. Schumer also purchased Redesdale for $18,000 at the 2016 January Sale and he now stands at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in the state of New York. The colt Unreachable was carrying at the time of her acquisition–an Ontario-bred 3-year-old now named Equivoque–would go on to fetch $325,000 from China Horse Club/Gandharvi at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and CHC bought out the partnership for $240,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale. Equivoque, an impressive debut winner at Keeneland this past April and an allowance second at Churchill on Derby Day May 6, has recently returned to training at Todd Pletcher's South Florida base at Palm Beach Downs after spending some time at WinStar Farm .

Unreachable is also the dam of the 2-year-old colt Magic Rush (Good Magic) and a yearling colt by Maclean's Music that sold for $310,000 to Powerstown Stud at this year's Keeneland September sale. Unreachable, now 14 years of age, did not produce a foal this year and was bred back to Curlin.

Sunday, Chukyo, Japan
CHAMPIONS CUP-G1, ¥232,740,000, Chukyo, 12-3, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:50.60, ft.
1–LEMON POP, 128, h, 5, by Lemon Drop Kid
1st Dam: Unreachable, by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Harpia, by Danzig
3rd Dam: Razyana, by His Majesty
($70,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV). O-Godolphin; B-Mr & Mrs Oliver S Tait (KY); T-Hiroyasu Tanaka; J-Ryusei Sakai; ¥123,318,000. Lifetime Record: 14-10-3-0, ¥481,756,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Wilson Tesoro (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Chesutoke Rose, by Uncle Mo. O-Kenji Ryotokuji Holdings; B-Ryoken Farm; ¥48,948,000.
3–Dura Erede (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Duramente (Jpn)–Marchesa (Jpn), by Orfevre (Jpn). (¥100,000,000 Ylg '21 JRHAJUL). O-Three H Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥30,474,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, NK. Odds: 2.80, 91.00, 30.20.
Also Ran: T O Keynes (Jpn), Meisho Hario (Jpn), Hagino Alegrias (Jpn), Make a Leap (Jpn), Notturno (Jpn), Ater Astrea (Jpn), Seraphic Call (Jpn), Crown Pride (Jpn), Keiai Shelby (Jpn), Gloria Mundi (Jpn), Icon Tailor (Jpn), Geoglyph (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart and VIDEO.

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A $70,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase, the chestnut won the G3 Negishi S. over 1400 metres at Toyko in January and silenced those who questioned his ability to stay an extra furlong when running out a comfortable winner of the G1 February S. the following month. Sent to Dubai for the G1 Golden Shaheen over a 1200-metre journey that was too sharp, he was only 10th, but rebounded with a front-running romp in the Listed Mile Championship Nambu Hai Oct. 9. He tries a two-turn route for the first time and Ryusei Sakai will have to judge it right from the 15 hole.

“While there is a worry about the 1800 metres this time, and how balanced he might be in the run, he's been successful so far, so we can only think of him making a big challenge here,” said trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka. “It'll be interesting to see what kind of race he can run. We'll rely on the jockey to get the best out of him.”

重戦車のような力強さが伝わる一枚を。
レモンポップです。水曜朝のワンシーン。#レモンポップ#チャンピオンズＣ pic.twitter.com/0s78euWIN1

— 日刊ゲンダイ　競馬 (@gendai_keiba) December 1, 2023

Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) was an unlucky loser of this year 12 months ago, but has put together a very formidable record this season. Fifth to Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai World Cup in March at Meydan–site of his 2022 G2 UAE Derby score–the dark bay was just beaten by Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro) in the valuable Listed Teio Sho June 28 and overwhelmed compatriot Gloria Mundi (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) by 10 lengths in the G3 Korea Cup at Seoul Sept. 10.

“There are some strong horses in the race again this year, but with the condition he's in, it should put him right up there with them,” commented trainer Koichi Shintani. “He hasn't been losing by much in his previous races, and the way he won last time in Korea certainly gives us confidence here.”

T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister), the 2021 Champions Cup winner and fourth last year, has acquitted himself well without winning this term. Fourth in the World Cup, he was a head behind Crown Pride in the Teio Sho and third to the progressive King's Sword (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) and Notturno (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the Listed JBC Classic Nov. 3.

Three-year-old Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) is the X-factor in the Champions Cup, as he is perfect from his five starts to date, all this season. After winning his first four in the lower grades, he rattled home from the latter half of the field to stamp his authority on Kyoto's G3 Miyako S. Nov. 5, pulling away to best Make a Leap (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) by three emphatic lengths.

A pair of females are in this year's line-up, including JBC Ladies' Classic heroine Icon Tailor (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), and Ater Astraea (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), beaten 4 1/2 lengths into third in the same event.`

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Saturday, December 2, 2023
6th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
MATENRO TIME (JPN) (c, 2, Nyquist–Cha Cha Time, by Gio Ponti) is out of a half-sister to GI QE II Challenge Cup winner Hot Cha Cha (Catcus Ridge), who was purchased for $37,000 in foal to Super Saver at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale and was bred to this sire prior to her export to Japan. This colt was subsequently sold for ¥33 million ($240,989) Hokkaido Selection Sale last summer. Hot Cha Cha, a $1-million purchase by Katsumi Yoshida at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, is the dam of the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger)-placed Etario (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}). B-Kinya Murakami

Sunday, December 3, 2023
5th-CKO, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT
SOUND ROCKS (c, 2, Catalina Cruiser–Lily's Spark, by Mineshaft), a $100,000 purchase by Narvick International at this year's OBS April Sale, is out of an unraced half-sister to four-time graded winner Prayer For Relief (Songandaprayer) and SW Twin Sparks (Twining) and hails from the deeper female family of GSW Miss Sunset (Into Mischief). The first runner in Japan for his freshman sire (by Union Rags), Sound Rocks was also a $100,000 KEENOV weanling and $26,000 KEESEP yearling. B-War Horse Place LLC (KY)

6th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m
GARDEN CAMELLIA (f, 2, American Pharoah–Avila Road, by Quality Road), a half-sister to Horseshoe Indianapolis debut romper Aged Truth (Tapit), is the latest foal to the races out of a full-sister to four-time Grade I winner and leading sire Quality Road and a half to Mt. Kobla (Mt. Livermore), whose produce include the Japanese MSW & MGSP Mount Gold (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) and the three-times European group-placed King Ledley (Stormin Fever). Second dam Kobla is a full-sister to 1997 champion 3-year-old filly Ajina (Strawberry Road {Aus}). Avila Road has since been exported to Japan. B-Healthy Wood Co Ltd (KY)

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Saturday, July 22, 2023
12th-CKO, ¥15,200,000 ($108k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1800m
AIR METEORA (c, 3, Goldencents–Nokaze, by Empire Maker) was just touched off by future Group 2 winner and G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) fourth Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) on Hanshin debut last November, graduated nicely going a mile over this turf course Jan. 7 and was a very good third in allowance company when last seen Jan. 28. The homebred switches to the dirt for the first time and he's got the pedigree to do it, as he is a half to Japanese Group 2 dirt winner Air Almas (Majestic Warrior) and is out of a half-sister to the dam of 2022 GIII Fantasy S. and recent Saylorville S. victress Yuugiri (Shackleford). Air Meteora is also kin to Air Fanditha (Hat Trick {Jpn}), a dual listed winner on turf in Japan. B-Sekie & Tsunebumi Yoshihara (KY)

12th-FKS, ¥15,200,000 ($108k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1150m
THEURGIST (c, 4, Ghostzapper–Orphea, by Medaglia d'Oro) was well beaten over this course and distance on career debut last July, then ran the table in three starts against softer at Himeji on the NAR circuit this winter before finishing a respectable third behind fellow US-bred Lucks At There (Kantharos) in a Tokyo allowance June 25. A $410,000 Fasig-Tipton November weanling, the bay is a half-brother to Grade III-placed Born to Be Winner (Einstein {Brz}) and is out of an unraced daughter of MGSW/MGISP Nasty Storm (Gulch), also the dam of Irish multiple Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Actress (Ire) (Declaration of War). B-Ghostzapper Syndicate & Paul Tackett Revocable Trust (KY)

Sunday, July 23, 2023
3rd-FKS, ¥10,480,000 ($75k), Maiden, 2yo, 1150m
ESCALE (c, 2, American Pharoah–Pretty Girl {Arg}, by Harlan's Holiday) turned in a very promising effort in his first trip to the post, coming home a longshot third in the local slop July 1. A $310,000 Keeneland September purchase last fall by owner Koji Maeda, the bay shares a second dam with Dark Love (Arg) (In the Dark {Arg}), seven-length winner of the G1 Estrellas Juvenile at a mile on turf at San Isidro last month. Escale's dam was a Group 1 winner in Argentina, a listed winner in France and multiple Grade II-placed in this country. B-Bonne Chance Farm LLC (KY)

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