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 Kokura, Kyoto and Nakayama Racecourses:
Saturday, January 13, 2024 4th-KYO, ¥11,850,000 ($82k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m DANON K TWO (JPN) (c, 3, Justify–Enticed {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) is the first foal from a mare that cost 800,000gns ($1.1 million) at the 2017 Tattersalls October Sale and who was entered for, but withdrawn from the 2020 Keeneland November sale with this colt in utero. Enticed is kin to seven winners from nine to race, including 2017 G1 Irish Derby and G1 St Leger winner Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), SW & GSP Tower of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Group 3 winner and G1 Irish Oaks third Passion (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Group 3 winner Cypress Creek (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the dam of 2022 G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}). B-Mishima Bokujo
4th-NKY, ¥11,850,000 ($82k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m ERIKA VENEZIA (f, 3, Curlin–First Passage, by Giant's Causeway), a $370,000 Keeneland September graduate, is out of a Grade III-winning dam who is also responsible for Grade III winner Berned (Bernardini) and MGSP First to Act (Curlin). The dual stakes-winning second dam Win's Fair Lady (Dehere), who twice fetched seven figures as a broodmare, was a full-sister to MGSW/GISP Graeme Hall and a half to Grade I winner Harmony Lodge (Hennessy) and GSW Win McCool (Giant's Causeway). Win's Fair Lady's half-sister Giant Win (Giant's Causeway) bred GISW Pinehurst (Twirling Candy). B-AR Enterprises LLC (KY)
Sunday, January 14, 2024 3rd-KYO, ¥11,850,000 ($82k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m DISTANT SKY (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Elisheva, by Smart Strike) is the second foal out of a daughter of champion Believe (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), whose notable produce includes G1 Sprinters' S. winner Gendarme (Kitten's Joy) MSW & G1SP Faridat (Kingmambo) and SW & GSP Fiducia (Medaglia d'Oro). Third dam Great Christine (Danzig) was a half-sister to Horse of the Year Lady's Secret (Secretariat). B-North Hills Co Ltd (KY)
5th-KOK, ¥11,850,000 ($82k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT ALFHEIMR (f, 3, Arrogate–Duff One, by Harlan's Holiday), whose Grade II-placed dam was sold for $60,000 carrying this filly at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, was a $125,000 purchase as a foal at the same event 12 months later and fetched $80,000 at Keeneland September in the fall of 2022. This is the deep Alexander family that traces back to champion Althea, and Alfheimr's stakes-winning third dam Amelia (Dixieland Band) is responsible for MGSW/GISP Rainha Da Bateria (Broken Vow) and Japanese Group 2 winner Rabbit Run (Tapit), whose 3-year-old daughter Bunny Hop (Jpn) (Isla Bonita {Jpn}) makes her second career start Saturday at Kyoto. Duff One was bought back on a bid of $40,000 at Keeneland January this past week when offered in foal to Maclean's Music. B-Theta Holdings 1 Inc (KY)
Suave Richard (Jpn), Japanese Champion Freshman Sire elect, sired his first Group 1 winner with the victory of his Regaleira (Jpn) in the 2000-metre G1 Hopeful S. at Nakayama on Thursday. The filly is the first of her sex to land the race since it was upgraded to Group 1 level in 2017.
Jointly favoured with Susumu Fujita's Group 3 winner and €2.1 million Arqana August yearling buy Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) at 2-1 in this contest, the filly hesitated at the break, and soon trailed third last as Velociraptor (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}) showed the way with a battling Ammothyella (Jpn) (Bricks And Mortar), the other filly in the field. Rounding the first bend, the Northern Farm-bred settled nicely, as several rivals ahead of her had a rough time of it. The first 1000 metres was covered in 1:00 by Velociraptor, while still pressed by the persistent Ammothyella. Regaleira was already making up ground from the rear as the field entered the final turn. Winding her way towards the front, she was forced widest of all entering the home straight as Shin Emperor got first jump on the field, quickly seized the advantage and set sail for home.
Regaleira was also letting down strongly with Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) to her inside. She drew even with Shin Emperor, who immediately fought back, but she just edged that determined foe to win by a three-quarters of a length in 2:00.20, a new stakes record. Sunrise Zipangu was third two lengths behind, another three-quarters of a length in front of Admiral Ship (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}). Tariff Line (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}) went wrong on the bend and was pulled up by Tom Marquand.
The first six home all broke :36 seconds for their respective final 600 metres, but Regaleira showed the fastest turn of foot, finishing in :35 flat. Her owner, Sunday Racing, has indicated that the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) versus males is under consideration next year.
“We had to travel near the rear because the filly missed her break, but she was very calm after that,” Christophe Lemaire said of the great granddaughter of the blue hen Wind In Her Hair (Ire) (Alzao). “She responded well at last two corners and, after I steered her to the outside, displayed an incredible late charge. I look forward to her performances next year, and I think a longer distance would also suit her.”
A first-out winner over 1800 metres at Hakodate in July, the bay took third in the Listed Ivy S. at Tokyo over that trip when resuming on Oct. 21. The Hopeful was her first foray into group company.
Pedigree Notes
A member of the first crop of G1 Japan Cup and G1 Osaka Hai hero Suave Richard, Regaleira is one of two stakes winners besides G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. winner Corazon Beat (Jpn). He stands firmly on top of the Japanese first-season sires' list by earnings with over ¥400,000,000 (£2,224,532/€2,558,377/$2,834,795) to his credit and 21 winners so far. Other progeny to have claimed black-type are G3 Sapporo Nisai S. second Power Hall (Jpn), and G2 Hai Nisai S. third Namura Hooker (Jpn).
The third foal out of the Harbinger (GB) mare Roca (Jpn), Regaleira is also the third winner for her, and is a half-sister to the G3 Mainichi Hai third Douradores (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Her dam, too, was a first-out 1800-metre scorer as a juvenile, although in her case, she trotted up at Kyoto before running third in the G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup when unveiled at three later in her career. Since foaling the winner, Roca has a yearling filly by Cheval Grand (Jpn), from the Heart's Cry (Jpn) branch of the Sunday Silence line, and a weanling filly by Stay Gold (Jpn) horse Indy Champ (Jpn). Out of a Dance In The Dark (Jpn) half-sister to a quartet of stakes winners led by the late dual Japanese Horse of the Year and supersire Deep Impact (Jpn), she was covered by Leontes (Jpn) this spring.
Thursday, Nakayama, Japan HOPEFUL S.-G1, ¥135,800,000, Nakayama, 12-28, 2yo, 2000mT, 2:00.20, fm.
1–REGALEIRA (JPN), 121, f, 2, by Suave Richard (Jpn) 1st Dam: Roca (Jpn), by Harbinger (GB) 2nd Dam: Land's Edge (Jpn), by Dance in the Dark(Jpn) 3rd Dam: Wind in Her Hair (Ire), by Alzao 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST GROUP 1 WIN.
O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Tetsuya Kimura;
J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥71,260,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1,
¥154,039,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Shin Emperor (Fr), 123, c, 2, Siyouni (Fr)–Starlet's Sister(Ire),
by Galileo (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€2,100,000 Ylg
'22 ARQAUG). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Ecurie Des Monceaux (Fr);
¥28,360,000.
3–Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn), 123, c, 2, Kizuna (Jpn)–Saimaa (Ire), by
Zoffany (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (¥64,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Life House; B-Oiwake
Farm (Jpn); ¥18,180,000.
Margins: 3/4, 2, 3/4. Odds: 2.10, 2.10, 127.70.
Also Ran: Admiral Ship (Jpn), Mr G T (Jpn), Sirius Colt (Jpn), Shonan la Punta (Jpn), In the Moment (Jpn), Di Speranza (Jpn), Velociraptor (Jpn), Hortbagy (Jpn), Win Maximum (Jpn), Ten Ace One (Jpn), Century Bond (Jpn), Ammothyella (Jpn). DNF: Tariff Line (Jpn). Scratched: Gonbade Qabus (Jpn), Sunrise Earth (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video.
Perfect in two starts, including a victory over 2000 metres already at this early stage in his career, Susumu Fujita's Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) can well and truly stamp himself a leading contender for next year's Japanese Classics when he takes on a full field in Thursday's G1 Hopeful S. at Nakayama, the final top-level event on the JRA circuit for 2023.
Bred by Ecurie des Monceaux, the chestnut is–as has been well documented–a full-brother to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass (Fr) and was hammered down to trainer Yoshito Yahagi for a sales-topping €2.1 million at last year's Arqana August Sale in Deauville. The colt has done little to suggest his connections' lofty opinions are misguided, as he was visually impressive in taking out his maiden at first asking over 1800 metres at Tokyo Nov. 4 and he made it two-from-two with a half-length success in the G3 Kyoto Nisai S. Nov. 25, successfully stretching out to Thursday's distance. Yahagi has tabbed Bauyrzhan Murzabayev to ride.
“He has a lot of potential and it's not often you get to work with a horse with a pedigree like he has, so I'm feeling the pressure,” said assistant trainer Yusaku Oka. “He's still mentally immature, but he has shown a high level of ability and with his European bloodline, I think the tough turf at Nakayama will suit him. He has a lot of power and he should be able to handle the hill in the stretch. He already experienced the trip to Kanto for his debut, so I'm not worried there. I'm hoping he'll do his best.”
2yo colt SHIN EMPEROR (Siyouni x Starlet's Sister (Galileo)) final fast ahead of Thursday's G1 2000m 2YO Hopeful Stakes
Worked the Ritto slope.
Still immature, floated around the first 3F then let down sweetly the last 1F
Regaleira (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), one of two fillies taking on the boys here, graduated in a July 9 newcomers' event at Hakodate and most recently resumed with a sound third-place effort behind the talented JRHA Select Yearling Sale topper Danon Ayers Rock (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in the Listed Ivy S. at Tokyo Oct. 21. Christophe Lemaire sticks with the filly for Equinox (Jpn)'s trainer Tetsuya Kimura.
Bricks and Mortar is in a good battle for second spot on the list of leading first-crop sires in Japan by progeny earnings behind Suave Richard, and Gonbade Qabus (Jpn) stands a good chance to solidify that position Thursday. The dark bay colt opened his account at first asking in a 1600-metre newcomers' contest at headquarters June 10 and was not seen for four months thereafter, returning to cause a mild upset in the G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup over the identical course and distance Oct. 7. He must negotiate an extra two furlongs here, but on pedigree it is clearly well within his reach.
Velociraptor (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}) also brings an unblemished record into the Hopeful, having won his maiden over nine furlongs at Tokyo June 24 before adding a Sept. 23 conditions test at Hanshin over the same trip.
The second betting choice to–finally–build on a championship season in 2021 and a Classic-winning campaign last season, Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) was produced wide into the Nakayama straight by the ageless Yutaka Take and outbattled the positively ridden 4-year-old filly Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) to take out Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen, the fan-voted 'Grand Prix' of Japan. Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) made the majority of the running, but where he weakened out to finish down the field 12 months ago, held courageously for third in his final career start.
Outfooted and relegated to the tail of the field, with 5-2 pick Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–runner-up to Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn)– bringing up the rear, the 2022 G1 Tokyo Yushun hero traveled strongly for Take, as Titleholder opened a long lead through the middle stages as was widely expected. Keeping his mount out wide and out of harm's way, Take slipped Do Deuce some rein as they took the rise with 800 metres to race, but Titleholder wasn't coming back to the field just yet and carried a healthy advantage into the final 600 metres.
But the swoopers began to chime in, as Do Deuce got underway at the midpoint on the turn and was four deep, but gaining on the front-runner nearing the entrance to the straight as Stars on Earth plugged on at the fence. Titleholder was brave on the lead and stuck on well into the final furlong, but he just couldn't quite see it out, as Do Deuce rolled home to outfinish the 2022 G1 Yushun Himba heroine, giving Take an 81st elite-level success on the JRA. Next in was Justin Palace followed by 2021 Derby winner Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while reigning Derby winner Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) was sixth.
Last but one in last year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Do Deuce resumed with a cracking victory in the G2 Kyoto Kinen Feb. 12, an effort that propelled him in most circles to favourite's status for the G1 Dubai Turf. Forced to withdraw from the contest in the days leading up to it, the bay was somewhat disappointing when a first-up seventh to Equinox in the Tenno Sho and was a latest fourth to the now-retired Horse of the Year in the G1 Japan Cup Nov. 26. The two most recent efforts came with Keita Tosaki on his back, but it was Take renewing acquaintances Sunday, having recently returned from an injury-enforced absence.
“It's great to comeback with Do Deuce to win this race against some really strong opponents,” said Take, winning his fourth Arima Kinen, three of which have occurred on Christmas Eve. “He was in good shape coming into this race and although the colt was a bit keen, I had to keep him in hand and maintain a good rhythm and not let him rush and gave him the go from about 700 metres out. His response was very good rounding the last corner and gave a terrific late charge to the wire. We did have our struggles after winning the Kyoto Kinen early this year, but I was determined to show his true strength and prove what he was really made of in this big race.”
Pedigree Notes:
Two-time graded-stakes winner Dust and Diamonds, also runner-up to Groupie Doll in the 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint for Padua Stables and Richard Santulli, changed hands for $900,000 at that year's Fasig-Tipton November Sale and won the GIII Sugar Swirl S. in a single racetrack appearance for Borges Torrealba Holdings and Three Chimneys Farm. The mare foaled MGSP Much Better (Pioneerof the Nile) for that operation before being purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for an even $1 million in foal to Pioneerof the Nile at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale.
Carrying the distinctive Shadai black-and-yellow stripes, Heart's Cry was runner-up to King Kamehameha (Jpn) in the 2004 Tokyo Yushun and ninth in this event behind Zenno Rob Roy. He ran with credit, albeit without winning, early on at four in 2005, but blossomed really and truly at the back end of the season, missing by a nose to the Luca Cumani-conditioned Alkaased in the G1 Japan Cup before famously handing Deep Impact (Jpn) his only domestic defeat in that year's Arima Kinen. Heart's Cry became the second Japanese-based winner of the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in 2006 and was third to Hurricane Run (Ire) and Electrocutionist in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. at Ascot, but was well held behind Deep Impact in that year's Japan Cup.
Do Deuce is one of a dozen top-level scorers for his sire, whose daughter Lys Gracieux (Jpn) was brilliant in winning the 2019 Arima Kinen. Heart's Cry passed away this past March aged 22, but was represented posthumously by Continuous (Jpn), victorious in this year's G1 St Leger. Heart's Cry's recently repatriated American dual-surface Grade I winner Yoshida (Jpn) is out of the Grade I-winning Hilda's Passion, whose sire Canadian Frontier was a son of Gone West and Borodislew (Seattle Slew).
Kieffers purchased the Real Steel (Jpn) half-brother to Do Deuce for a sales-topping ¥94.6 million (approximately $664,000) at the 2022 Northern Farm Foal Sale and Dust and Diamonds foaled a filly by Silver State (Jpn) this past Mar. 20 before visiting Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Contrail (Jpn).
Sunday, Nakayama, Japan ARIMA KINEN-G1, ¥959,860,000, Nakayama, 12-24, 3yo/up, 2500mT, 2:30.90, gd/fm.
1–DO DEUCE (JPN), 128, c, 4, by Heart's Cry (Jpn) 1st Dam: Dust and Diamonds (MGSW & GISP-US, $496,260), by Vindication 2nd Dam: Majestically, by Gone West 3rd Dam: Darling Dame, by Lyphard
O-Kieffers Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Yasuo Tomomichi; J-Yutaka Take; ¥503,420,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Colt-Jpn, 12-6-1-1, $7,671,573. *1/2 to Much Better (Pioneerof the Nile), MGSP, $332,204. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Stars on Earth (Jpn), 123, f, 4, Duramente (Jpn)–Southern Stars (GB), by Smart Strike. O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm; T-Mizuki Takayanagi; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥200,972,000.
3–Titleholder (Jpn), 128, h, 5, Duramente (Jpn)–Mowen (GB), by Motivator (GB). (¥20,000,000 Wlg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Hiroshi Yamada; B-Okada Stud; T-Toru Kurita; J-Kazuo Yokoyama; ¥130,486,000.
Margins: HF, 1, HD. Odds: 4.20, 7.60, 7.30.
Also Ran: Justin Palace (Jpn), Shahryar (Jpn), Tastiera (Jpn), Win Marilyn (Jpn), Sol Oriens (Jpn), Harper (Jpn), Ho O Emmy's (Jpn), Iron Barows (Jpn), Through Seven Seas (Jpn), Lilac (Jpn), Pradaria (Jpn), Deep Bond (Jpn), Heat on Beat (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video.
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