Saturday, July 15, 2023
3rd-HAK, ¥10,480,000 ($76k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200mT
MERITITES (f, 3, American Pharoah–Gem Gem, by Tapit) was well beaten on Hanshin debut over seven grassy furlongs June 18, but improved markedly to finish a close third over this course and distance July 2. A $140,000 purchase by J S Company out of the 2021 Keeneland September Sale, the bay filly is out of a winning half-sister to 2009 GI Alabama S. winner Careless Jewel, whose mercurial daughter Reframe (American Pharoah) was a listed winner on the turf last summer at Tokyo. On behalf of Charles Fipke, R. J. Bennett went to $625,000 for Gem Gem in foal to Uncle Mo at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. B-Charles Fipke (KY)

3rd-CKO, ¥10,480,000 ($76k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400m
VAN VISTA (f, 3, Justify–Vanquished, by Empire Maker) failed to land any sort of blow when down the field in a nine-furlong newcomers' event on turf at Hanshin last December and switches to a dirt sprint for her first start since. Though the dam produced a pair of talented turf horses in the form of MGSW Takeover Target (Harlan's Holiday) and SW Ladies' Privilege (Harlan's Holiday)–the dam of recent GIII Manila S. winner More Than Looks (More Than Ready)–Van Vista hails from the deeper family of dirt MGISW Critical Eye (Dynaformer). Van Vista was bought back on a bid of $285,000 at KEENOV in 2020, but was another JS Company purchase at KEESEP the next fall, hammering for $525,000. B-Forging Oaks Farm (KY)

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