Grade I Winner Dancing Rags Represented By First Japanese Starter

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 Saturday running at Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses. Sunday's horses of note will appear in Saturday's TDN:

Saturday, September 23, 2023
3rd-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
ACE AND KING (JPN) (c, 2, Yoshida {Jpn}–Curlins B F F, by Curlin) was acquired in utero by Emmanuel de Seroux's Narvick International for $25,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale and is out of a daughter of the three-times graded stakes-placed Najecam (Trempolino), the dam of 2003 Eclipse Award and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Action This Day (Kris S.); and of Eltimaas (Ghostzapper), whose champion son Drefong (Gio Ponti) has made a strong impression with his first few crops to race in Japan. B-Kinya Murakami

4th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m
ROUGE CHOUETTE (JPN) (f, 2, Curlin–Dancing Rags, by Union Rags) is the first Japanese-foaled produce for her dam, upset winner of the 2016 GI Darley Alcibiades S. and later sold to Nobutaka Tada for $1.1 million carrying this filly at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Dancing Rags is a half-sister to MGSW & GISP Coup de Grace (Tapit) and to Kara's Match Point (Curlin), the dam of three winners from four to race since her export to Japan in 2016. Rouge Chouette's third dam is champion and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine Jewel Princess (Key to the Mint). B-Mint Co.

5th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT
AMERICAN CHIEF (c, 2, Into Mischief–Good Vibes, by Unbridled's Song) cost owner Katsumi Yoshizawa–who raced 2019 Triple Crown participant Master Fencer (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) and countless other 'American' horses–$475,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale. The bay is the final foal out from his dam, who was also responsible for Sweet Orange (ex Warning Flag) (War Front), a stakes winner and Group 3-placed in Ireland before continuing his career in Hong Kong, where he won the 2012 Hong Kong Classic Mile and was third in that year's Hong Kong Derby before finishing third in the G1 QE II Cup. The mare also produced Irish Group 3 winner Intelligence Cross (War Front). B-Orpendale/Wynatt/Chelston (KY)

11th-HSN, ¥35,040,000 ($238k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1400m
GREAT SAND SEA (c, 3, Into Mischief–Game for More, by More Than Ready) is perfect in two starts outside of stakes competition and at 1400 meters, including an impressive victory at Chukyo back in March (video, SC 8). His two losses to date have come at the hooves of the classy Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), who defeated him 4 1/2 lengths into fifth when last seen in the G3 Unicorn S. going a mile at Tokyo June 18. A half-brother to GSW/GISP Giant Game (Giant's Causeway), MGSW/GISP Isotherm (More Than Ready) and GISP Gio Game (Gio Ponti), Great Sand Sea was a $385,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $825,000 OBS March breezer. Leading rider Yuga Kawada takes the call. B-H Allen Poindexter (KY)

 

 

12th-HSN, ¥21,740,000 ($147k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1800m
AWESOME RESULT (f, 3, Justify–Blossomed, by Deputy Mininster) graduated in a single appearance at two over this track and trip last November and remained unbeaten with a three-length allowance success back here June 10 (video, SC 10). Awesome Result, the mount of Yutaka Take, is a half-sister to GI Spinaway S. upsetter Sippican Harbor (Orb) and to Grade III-placed Bodacious Babe (Mineshaft), herself the dam of three-time Japanese winner Ju Taro (Arrogate). The yearling full-sister to Awesome Result was RNAd on a bid of $520,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga last month after selling for $350,000 at Keeneland November last fall. B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY)

 

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Into Mischief Colt Brings Massive Pedigree Into Hanshin Bow

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 Nakayama Racecourses:

Saturday, September 9, 2023
4th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
LUDIQUE (c, 2, Into Mischief–Miss Besilu, by Medaglia d'Oro), whose dam was third in the GI Alabama S. and GI CCA Oaks in 2014 and was purchased for $2.2 million with this foal in utero at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, is a half-brother to the dual Grade III-placed Gun It (Tapit). Miss Besilu , who topped the weanling section as part of the Ned Evans dispersal at Keeneland November in 2011 on Ben Leon's bid of $2.6 million, is a daughter of SW & GSP Quiet Dance (Quiet American), the dam of Horse of the Year Saint Liam (Saint Ballado); GISW sire Funtastic (More Than Ready); and GSW Quiet Giant (Giant's Causeway), the dam of the wildly successful sire and Horse of the Year Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}). Ludique carries the Carrot Racing colors. B-Northern Farm (KY)

 

 

 

Sunday, September 10, 2023
3rd-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
RUN GUN (JPN) (f, 2, Gun Runner–Kristizar, by Tapizar), a $90,000 in-utero purchase at the 2020 KEENOV sale, is out of a half-sister to no fewer than four black-type horses by Tapizar's sire Tapit, including the Grade III-placed Taxable. The MGSP third dam Here I Go (Mr. Prospector) was the dam of five winners from seven to the races including 2005 GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Summerly (Summer Squall). Run Gun went through the JRHA Select Sale last summer, bringing ¥38 million. B-Senri Farm Co Ltd

5th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT
CIRCLE OF JOY (JPN) (f, 2, Constitution–Mirth, by Colonel John) is the first foal from her dam, all-the-way winner of the 2019 GI Rodeo Drive S. for Little Red Feather and Phil D'Amato and later purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for $1.05 million with this filly in utero at FTKNOV in 2020. Mirth is a half-sister to Grade II winner Vault (Jump Start) and Call Me Andy (Midshipman), twice stakes-placed at two this term. Third dam Orrefor (Our Native) produced some top Illinois-breds for Asiel Stables, including MSW/MGISP Copper State (Jump Start), MSW Bonita Meadow (Meadowlake) and the dam of fellow MSW Caruso (Cape Canaveral). B-Shunsuke Yoshida

5th-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT
ATARAYO (f, 2, Justify–Magic Fountain, by War Front) represents the first produce for her dam, who caused a 10-1 upset for Coolmore in the 2014 G1 Darley Irish Oaks. Third dam Cherry Hinton (GB) (Green Desert) was herself a daughter of the magnificent Urban Sea (Miswaki), the dam of the legendary Galileo (Ire), Sea The Stars (Ire), etc. Cherry Hinton's GI Belmont Oaks-winning daughter Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) has accounted for Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), victorious in this year's G3 Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial before finishing runner-up in this year's G1 Prix de Diane. North Hills acquired Magic Fountain for $525,000 at KEENOV in 2020. B-North Hills Co Ltd (KY)

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Equinox At His Brilliant Best In Takarazuka Kinen

The fan-voted G1 Takarazuka Kinen drew no fewer than eight Group 1 winners, but the spotlight was squarely on Silk Racing's world number one Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), who was making his first start since decimating a world-class field in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in late March. At the end of 2200 metres in front of a reported crowd of 45,000 at Hanshin Racecourse Sunday afternoon, the baldy faced 4-year-old did not disappoint, overcoming a wide trip that was very much by design before holding off longshot Through Seven Seas (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) in the waning strides. Leading stayer Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) outfinished the regally bred Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) for third.

Drawn neatly in gate five in a race that has not been kind to favourites of late, the 1.30 (3-10) chalk secured a midfield position passing the stands for the first time, but drifted back through the pack as 2011 runner-up Unicorn Lion (Ire) (No Nay Never) and the 3-year-old Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) set off at a brisk gallop that saw the opening four furlongs traversed in :46.6.

In the company of Geraldina and Through Seven Seas at the tail of the field as they reached the halfway point, Equinox was still ridden quietly by Christophe Lemaire and they raced with cover before steering out at the 600-metre pole. Happy to sacrifice that considerable ground loss for an uncheckered passage, Equinox was some nine or 10 wide off the final corner, but steamed down the centre of the course–the best ground on the afternoon–and went on to win cosily. Through Seven Seas did not have the luxury of clear sailing and was strung up in traffic at a crucial stage before rattling home to put at least a small scare into those that backed Equinox. Distant second betting choice Justin Palace, backing up significantly in trip after winning the G1 Tenno Sho over two miles last time, predictably kept on well for third.

Sunday's tactics were dramatically different from those used in Dubai three months ago, when they chose to lead with Equinox and he glided effortlessly away. In the end, Lemaire was happy to play the hand he was dealt.

“Though we were unable get a good position toward the front due to the fast pace at the beginning, the horse was relaxed in the rear and I wasn't worried at all,” Lemaire said. As the inner track condition was not so good, we made [our] bid from the outside early and turned wide to the straight where he stretched really well. Hanshin's inner course is tricky and the Takarazuka Kinen is a difficult race to win even for champion horses, so I'm very happy that I was able to win the race with the No. 1 horse in the World's Best Racehorse Rankings. I realized again how strong he is. I hope to win more big races with him in autumn.”

The victory earned Equinox a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in November and also a spot in the G1 Cox Plate, though big-money events at home including the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), G1 Japan Cup and G1 Arima Kinen will naturally be strongly considered. Equinox skipped last year's Japan Cup, but was victorious in the other two races en route to being named Horse of the Year.

Pedigree Notes:

On behalf of Shadai Farm, bloodstock agent Patrick Barbe went to $410,000 to acquire Equinox's fourth dam, Blanche Reine (Fr) (Nureyev) in foal to Alleged at the 1988 Keeneland November Sale and the resulting produce was Maison Blanche, a stakes-placed earner of better than $931,000 for Kazuko Yoshida whose half-brother Balleroy (Kaldoun {Fr}) won the G3 Prix de Guiche and was second in the G1 Prix Jean Prat in 1991. The family remained fairly quiet until Maison Blanche's foal of 2010, Chateau Blanche, did her part to enhance the page, carrying theses same Silk Racing colours when defeating the top-class Marialite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in Group 3 company in 2015.

Chateau Blanche is the dam of three winners from three to the races, a number that also includes Group 3 winner Weiss Meteor (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). She is also the dam of the 2-year-old filly Garza Blanca (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and foaled a full-sister to Equinox Feb. 26.

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
TAKARAZUKA KINEN-G1, ¥423,280,000, Hanshin, 6-25, 3yo/up, 2200mT, 2:11.20, gd/fm.
1–EQUINOX (JPN), 128, c, 4, by Kitasan Black (Jpn)
1st Dam: Chateau Blanche (Jpn), by King Halo (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Blancherie (Jpn), by Tony Bin (Ire)
3rd Dam: Maison Blanche (Jpn), by Alleged
O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Tetsuya Kimura; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥223,696,000. Lifetime Record: Horse of the Year & Ch. 3yo Colt-Jpn, G1SW-UAE, 8-6-2-0, $11,072,697. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Through Seven Seas (Jpn), 123, m, 5, Dream Journey (Jpn)–Mighty Slew (Jpn), by Kurofune. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; ¥89,056,000.
3–Justin Palace (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Palace Rumor, by Royal Anthem. (¥190,000,000 Ylg '20 JRHAJUL). O-Masahiro Miki; B-Northern Farm; ¥55,528,000.
Margins: NK, 1, HD. Odds: 0.30, 54.70, 7.50.
Also Ran: Geraldina (Jpn), Deep Bond (Jpn), Pradaria (Jpn), Boccherini (Jpn), Vela Azul (Jpn), Geoglyph (Jpn), Dura Erede (Jpn), Ask Victor More (Jpn), Breakup (Jpn), Danon the Kid (Jpn), Mozu Bello (Jpn), Unicorn Lion (Ire), Karate (Jpn), Lilac (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart.

 

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Seven-Figure Mendelssohn Colt On Debut at Hanshin

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 Tokyo Racecourses. The weekend's main event takes place Sunday at Hanshin, where the world's top-rated racehorse Equinox (Jpn) returns in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen:

Saturday, June 24, 2023
4th-HSN, ¥10,480,000 ($73k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
TOMODACHI (c, 3, Mendelssohn–Grace Is Gone, by Malibu Moon), a $100,000 purchase out of the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, matured nicely into a $235,000 Fasig-Tipton October Yearling and was one of five horses to breach the seven-figure threshold when fetching $1.3 million from trainer Mitsu Nakauchida at the 2022 OBS April Sale (breeze video). A late January foal, the chestnut is maternal grandson of Grade I-placed Grace Anatomy (Aldebaran), whose stakes-placed daughter Retro (Giant's Causeway) accounted for recent Churchill maiden winner American Retro (American Pharoah). B-Marcus Stables LLC (KY)

Sunday, June 25, 2023
5th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT
DANON SWITCH (JPN) (c, 2, American Pharoah–Switch In Time {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida in utero for $350,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, and the February foal repaid that bill and then some when hammering to Danox Co. for the equivalent of $1,359,264 at the JRHA Select Sale in 2021. Switch In Time is out of dual Grade I winner Switch (Quiet American), who is also responsible for the Irish Group 3-placed Kiss You Later (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Christophe Lemaire has the call. B-Shunsuke Yoshida

MAPLE GANG (c, 2, War Front–Crimson Maple, by Rahy) is a half-brother to four winners from five to race and is a half-brother to five-time stakes winner Goldwood (Medaglia d'Oro). A $200,000 KEESEP yearling, the Apr. 17 foal is out of a daughter of GISW Maplejinsky (Nijinsky II), the dam of 1993 Filly Triple Crown heroine Sky Beauty (Blushing Groom {Fr}). Maplejinsky also serves as the granddam of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff upsetter Pleasant Home (Seeking the Gold), MGSW & MGISP Country Hideaway (Seeking the Gold), GISW Tale of Ekati (Tale of the Cat) and GSW Tale of Silence (Tale of the Cat). Crimson Maple passed away this year, but has left behind a filly by Medaglia d'Oro. B-Colts Neck Stables LLC (KY)

6th-TOK, ¥10,480,000 ($73k), Maiden, 3yo, 1600m
BREGAGH ROAD (JPN) (c, 3, Quality Road–Photo Call {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) is the first Japanese-foaled produce for his dam, who first changed hands for $3 million at Keeneland November in 2015 after winning that year's GI Rodeo Drive S. and would pad her resume when taking out the GI First Lady S. the following season. Photo Call was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for $2.7 million with this colt in utero at KEENOV in 2019, and is also responsible for a Maurice (Jpn) colt that sold for nearly $1.2 million as a foal in 2021. Bregagh Road will carry the Carrot Farm colors. B-Northern Racing

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