hanshin | Horse Racing Free Tips

Notable US-Bred & -Sired Runners in Japan: Dec. 18 & 19, 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 Hanshin Racecourses. The latter hosts Sunday's G1 Asahi Hai Futurity, which includes the offspring of such North American notables as Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou, Land Over Sea, Dust and Diamonds and My Jen:

Saturday, December 18, 2021
6th-NKY, ¥13,400,000 ($118k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
BROAD REACH (JPN) (f, 2, Arrogate–Reaching {Ire}, by Dansili {GB}) is the first Japanese-bred produce from her dam, a daughter of G1SP Maryinsky (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) who also produced MG1SW champion Peeping Fawn (Danehill)–dam of SW & MG1/GISP September (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and SW/GSP Willow (Ire) (American Pharoah)–and G1SW Thewayyouare (Kingmambo). Reaching, sold in foal to Frankel (GB) for $675K at Keeneland November in 2013, was acquired privately and foaled a Kentucky-bred son of Tapit in 2018 before her (and the colt's) export to Japan. This is also the female family of Rags to Riches, Jazil, Casino Drive, et al. B-Northern Racing

Sunday, December 19, 2021
5th-HSN, ¥13,400,000 ($118k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT
AIR ANEMOI (c, 2, Point of Enty–Nokaze, by Empire Maker) looks to become the fourth winner from as many Japanese runners for his dam, who has already dropped millionaire GSW Air Almas (Majestic Warrior); Air Fanditha (Hat Trick {Jpn}), a four-time winner of nearly $580,000; and this colt's full-brother Air Sage, winner of three of his first four trips to the post who posted a creditable midfield finish when last seen in the 3000-meter G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) in late October. Nokaze is a half-sister to SW Yuzuru (Medaglia d'Oro), whose daughter Yuugiri (Shackleford) was second in the Rags to Riches S. and the GII Golden Rod S. last month. B-Sekie & Tsunebumi Yoshihara (KY)

MOZU PHOENIX (f, 2, Union Rags–Storm Showers, by Storm Cat), a $200K KEESEP yearling acquisition, is a maternal granddaughter of GSW Welcome Surprise (Seeking the Gold), whose daughter Guest House (Ghostzapper) is responsible for GSW Guest Suite (Quality Road). The March foal's third dam is the irrepressible Weekend Surprise (Secretariat), who produced the great A.P. Indy, Summer Squall, Eavesdropper and Honor Grades. Mozu Phoenix's owner also purchased MG1SW Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}) out of the Lane's End consignment at KEESEP. B-W S Farish & Kilroy Thoroughbred Partnership (KY)

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Japan: Six Undefeated Colts Among 18 Contenders For Asahi Hai Futurity

It's the turn of the colts this coming Sunday, when Hanshin Racecourse once again stages a Grade 1, with the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes run over a mile on the outer turf course at the Kansai track. It'll be the 73rd running of the race for 2-year-olds, with the exclusion of geldings, and the colts carry an allotted weight of 55kg.

This year sees 19 nominations for a maximum 18 runner field, and just to show the competition involved, six of the nominated horses are unbeaten in their short careers so far.

The winner's purse this year is JPY 70 million (about US$610,000). The race is timed to start at 15:40 Japan time, and will be Race 11 on the Sunday card at Hanshin.

Here's a look at some of the horses bidding for a win in the race:

Serifos: Trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida won the race last year with Grenadier Guards, and while leading the trainers' table this year, he sends out this unbeaten colt by Daiwa Major here, who has won both the Grade 3 Niigata Nisai Stakes and the Grade 2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes, as well as one other race in the three times he's been to the races. Visiting jockey Cristian Demuro has been booked for the ride, and the horse looks sure to be one of the favorites, as he tries to keep his unbeaten record intact. Serifos runs in the colors of the G1 Racing Co. Ltd.

Geoglyph: There's no doubting the potential of the chestnut colt by Drefong, who came home a four-length winner in the Grade 3 Sapporo Nisai Stakes over 1,800 meters (1 1/8 miles) at Sapporo in September. He won his only other race on his debut at Tokyo in June, also winning over 1,800 meters.

Assistant trainer Yu Ota said: “He ran well in the Sapporo Nisai Stakes, even though he was a bit too relaxed. Returning from the farm recently, he looks sharp, and the jockey reports the horse to be in good shape in training. With two wins over 1,800 meters, there shouldn't be any problem over a mile.”

Geoglyph looks set to be ridden by Christophe Lemaire, who has ridden the colt in both his starts to date.

Danon Scorpion: Another unbeaten colt, the son of Lord Kanaloa is coming off a win in the Hagi Stakes over 1,800 meters at Hanshin in October, and won his other race on his debut in June, also at Hanshin, over the course and distance of the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes. Step by step, he looks good for a shot at a Grade 1, and in a recent piece of work at Ritto on the woodchip course under race jockey Kohei Matsuyama, he posted a six furlong time of 81.9 seconds, with a final furlong time of 11.7 seconds, his third time to clock under 12 seconds in recent trackwork. The horse was bred at K.I. Farm and is trained by Takayuki Yasuda.

Dobune: The colt by Deep Impact was purchased for quite a sum at the 2021 Chiba Thoroughbred Sale, and has got his career off to a good start, winning both his races since September, the latest being the Kikyo Stakes over 1,400 meters at Chukyo in October, after winning a 1,500-meter race on his debut at Sapporo. He's trained by Koshiro Take, and the trainer recently said: “He's an intelligent horse and knows a lot already, as well as being quite relaxed. He can certainly take on a Grade 1 with the ability he shows, although he will need to run to his best.” Jockey Hayato Yoshida looks set for the ride on Dobune.

Do Deuce: Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi and jockey Yutaka Take team up here with the Heart's Cry colt, who is out of the American bred mare Dust and Diamonds, who in turn is from a strong line of other American bred horses. Do Deuce won on his debut at Kokura in September, and since then has won his only other race, the Listed Ivy Stakes over 1,800 meters at Tokyo in October. He's developing the right way, and has been working well, if only lightly, on the woodchip course at Ritto, as he also aims to stay unbeaten in the big race on Sunday.

“He's a horse with a lot of power and has good racing sense. He showed what a good finish he has when winning the Ivy Stakes last time,” said the trainer recently.

Otaru Ever: A confirmed frontrunner in what he's shown so far, the striking dark bay colt by Leontes cuts quite a dash when he's out in front, racing in the green and white checked colors of owner Ikuko Sumitani. He finished third in the Grade 3 Niigata Nisai Stakes, behind Serifos, over 1,600 meters in August, and he led all the way to win the Shumeigiku Sho over 1,400 meters last time at Hanshin in November. He's already repaying some of the JPY 45 million he cost at the 2020 Select Sale, and he's an interesting entry here.

The post Japan: Six Undefeated Colts Among 18 Contenders For Asahi Hai Futurity appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Epiphaneia Filly Lands Group 1 at Hanshin

Circle of Life (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) became the third Group 1 winner for her sire in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at Hanshin on Sunday. A third-generation homebred for Masatake Iida of Chiyoda Farm, the bay was also the race's 4-1 number three pick and likely sewed up 2021 Japanese Champion Juvenile Filly honours.

Near the tail of the field as Dark Page (Jpn) (Dark Angel {Ire}) zipped through a solid half-mile in :46.40, she began to make up ground with 1000 metres remaining. Camped six deep as the field reached the stretch, she spun even wider out into the centre of the course for her bid, and overhauled the leaders in the final 25 metres for a half-length win. A trio of horses had briefly appeared to have the race at their mercy late, but Lovely Your Eyes (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}) settled for second, with G3 Fantasy S. victress Water Navillera (Jpn) (Silver State {Jpn}) third, the same margin back. Race favourite Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) closed resolutely with a rails run, but could not master the top three and was a neck behind in fourth.

“She was great today, she had a good break, and we had a smooth trip,” said Mirco Demuro. “We went wide at the stretch, but the track was really good on the outside and the horses (in previous races of the day) seemed to stretch well along that path. My filly has closed well over the smooth track, so I trusted her to make it and indeed she exhibited strong finishing speed. I was certain in the last 200 meters that she would win. I've ridden her since her debut, and she really takes it in her stride in new surroundings and unfamiliar tracks so she has plenty of energy to use in the race. I'm sure she can further extend her distance in future races so I'm really looking forward that too.”

Third in a Niigata newcomers' race over 1800 metres when unveiled in August, the bay graduated cut back to 1600 metres at Nakayama on Sept. 20. She captured her first black-type race, the G3 Artemis S. at Tokyo on Oct. 30.

Pedigree Notes
Already one of five black-type winners (four group) for her 11-year-old sire, Circle of Life joins MG1SWs and Classic scorers Daring Tact (Jpn) (2020 Japanese Fillies Triple Crown Winner) and Efforia (Jpn) (2021 Japanese St. Leger Winner) as Group 1 progeny of the Shadai resident.

The fourth foal, fourth runner and third winner out of the triple winner Sea Breeze Life, Circle of Life has yearling and weanling Declaration of War half-siblings. After producing a colt in 2020 and a filly this term, the dam returned to Declaration of War this spring. Circle of Life's third dam, Star My Life (Storm Cat), was a half-sister to American Horse of the Year and MG1SW Lady's Secret (Secretariat). She was purchased for $350,000 out of the Keeneland July Sale in 1995 by Iida prior to winning one of six starts in her adopted country, a 1000-metre dirt maiden in 1997.

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
HANSHIN JUVENILE FILLIES-G1, ¥125,140,000, Hanshin, 12-13, 2yo, f, 1600mT, 1:33.10, fm.
1–CIRCLE OF LIFE (JPN), 119, f, 2, by Epiphaneia (Jpn)
          1st Dam: Sea Breeze Life (Jpn), by Admire Japan (Jpn)
          2nd Dam: Precious Life (Jpn), by Taiki Shuttle
          3rd Dam: Star My Life, by Storm Cat
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Masatake Iida; B-Chiyoda Farm (Jpn);
T-Sakae Kunieda; J-Mirco Demuro. ¥66,288,000. Lifetime
Record: 4-3-0-1. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click
   for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Lovely Your Eyes (Jpn), 119, f, 2, Logotype (Jpn)
          1st Dam: Open Your Eyes (Jpn), by Victoire Pisa (Jpn)
          2nd Dam: Ave (GB), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
          3rd Dam: Anna Amalia (Ire), by In the Wings (GB)
1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (¥10,000,000 Wlg '19 JRHAJUL).
O-Yasuyuki Iuchi; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥26,368,000.
3–Water Navillera (Jpn), 119, f, 2, Silver State (Jpn)
          1st Dam: Shining Sayaka (Jpn), by King Halo (Jpn)
          2nd Dam: Shinsei Akari (Jpn), by Mayano Top Gun (Jpn)
          3rd Dam: Pink No Onepeace (Jpn), by Tosho Boy (Jpn)
1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Masato Yamaoka; B-Fushikida
Farm (Jpn); ¥16,184,000.
Margins: HF, HF, NK. Odds: 4.10, 50.20, 5.60.
Also Ran: Namur (Jpn), Namura Clair (Jpn), Belle Cresta (Jpn), Sternatia (Jpn), Statistics (Jpn), Anegohada (Jpn), Kimiwa Queen (Jpn), Saku (Jpn), Sea Cruise (Jpn), Toho la Vie En (Jpn), Dark Page (Jpn), Tana the Wing (Jpn), Personal High (Jpn), Namura Lycoris (Jpn), Hinokuni (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Undefeated ‘Water’ Looks for Group 1 Glory

In the hunt for a first Group 1 badge, a robust field of juveniles line up for the 73rd running of the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Sunday. The field includes a quartet of group scorers, headed by Water Navillera (Jpn) (Silver State), undefeated in three starts at three different racecourses, including her latest win in the Nov. 6 G3 Kyoto Sho Fantasy S. It was the first graded victory by the progeny of Silver State, whose short but successful career (four wins from five starts) ended early due to tendonitis.

Trained at Ritto by former jockey Koshiro Take and pegged to be ridden by elder brother Yutaka, success Sunday would bring Koshiro his first Group 1 victory since opening his stable in 2018. Yutaka has (from 21 bids) only one win of the race, back in 1994 with Yamanin Paradise when the race was known as the Hanshin Sansai Himba S.

Looking to turn the tables on the likely favorite is Namura Clair (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), winner of the Group III Kokura Nisai S. before following up with a second behind winner Water Navillera last out in the Nov. 6 G3 Fantasy S. Trainer Kodai Hasegawa said, “She can react rather strongly to horses coming up from behind, so I've had her wear a hood to calm her. She has let off steam, is looking good, and she improves with a race. I don't think the mile is out of reach. How well she can settle will be key.”

Third in her career bow at Niigata in August, Circle of Life (Jpn) (Epihaneia {Jpn}) broke through with a solid win at Nakayama Sept. 20 before stepping up successfully in Tokyo's G3 Artemis S. Oct. 30.

“Her workout on Dec. 2 was a hard one and since then she's only been breezed,” said trainer Sakae Kunieda. “I'd like her to have a bit more distance but with the long stretch of the Hanshin outer course, there shouldn't be any problems.”

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