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 Sunday running at Chukyo Racecourse:
5th-CKO, ¥10,480,000, Maiden, 3yo, 1600mT DOUBLE JOKE (c, 3, Practical Joke–Double Date, by Rahy) is out of an unraced half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year, champion 3-year-old colt and dual Grade I winner Peaks and Valleys (Mt. Livermore) as well as MSW & MGSP Alternate (Seattle Slew), whose produce include GISW Higher Power (Medaglia d'Oro), MGSW 'TDN Rising Star' Alternation (Distorted Humor) and SW & GSP Interrupted (Broken Vow). An $80,000 purchase by Paca Paca Farm out of the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Double Joke switches to the turf after finishing down the field when debuting on dirt at Toyko in October. B-William Humphries & Altair Farm (KY)
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 Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses:
Saturday, January 7, 2023 3rd-NKY, ¥11,850,000, Newcomers, 3yo, 1200m HARDWIRED (c, 3, Hard Spun–Season Maker, by Pioneerof the Nile) is the first foal out of an unplaced daughter of the late French SW & MGSP Season's Greetings (Ire) (Ezzoud {Ire}), whose daughter Grace Hall (Empire Maker) won the 2011 GI Spinaway S. at two and the GII Delaware, Gulfstream and Indiana Oaks as a sophomore. Also the dam of a newly christened juvenile colt by Mendelssohn, Season Maker was sold in foal to Frosted for $55,000 at Keeneland November this past fall. B-Godolphin (KY)
4th-CKO, ¥11,850,000, Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m HAKAISHIN (c, 3, Runhappy–Elarose, by Storm Cat) looks to become the fifth foal from as many to the races for his dam, a daughter of three-time Grade I winner and foundation mare Take Charge Lady (Dehere). The latter's produce include GISW sires Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy) and champion MGISW Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song); GISW As Time Goes By (American Pharoah); and the dams of champion Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway) and MGISW Omaha Beach (War Front); and of GSW/GISP 'TDN Rising Star' Charge It (Tapit). Masatake Iida acquired Elarose for $450,000 in foal to Quality Road at KEENOV in 2018. B-Chiyoda Farm (KY)
MONTE LUNA (f, 3, Union Rags–Light the Sky, by Tapit) cost $75,000 as a KEESEP yearling and is out of a half-sister to champion and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Stevie Wonderboy (Stephen Got Even) and Theyskens' Theory (Bernardini), a Group 3 winner and placed in Group 1 company as a juvenile in England and second to Winter Memories (El Prado {Ire}) in the GI Garden City S. in 2011. B-Peter J Callahan, Runnymede Farm Inc, Enid Cafritz & Haras d'Etreham (KY)
5th-CKO, ¥10,480,000, Maiden, 3yo, 1600mT AIR METEORA (c, 3, Goldencents–Nokaze, by Empire Maker) turned in a very promising effort on his lone racetrack appearance, making the majority of the running in an 1800-meter newcomers' event Nov. 20 only to be run down close home (see below, SC 8). This slight cutback in trip can only help the half-brother to GSW Air Almas (Majestic Warrior), SW Air Fanditha (Hat Trick {Jpn}) and the talented Air Sage (Point of Entry). Nokaze is herself a half-sister to Yuzuru (Medaglia d'Oro), the stakes-winning dam of GSW Yuugiri (Shackleford), an impressive Oaklawn allowance winner first off a near eight-month absence at Oaklawn Dec. 30. B-Sekie & Tsunebumi Yoshihara (KY)
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 Nakayama Racecourse. The highlight of the weekend and one of the year's main events, the G1 Arima Kinen (Grand Prix) has attracted most every top galloper in Japan. Tune in Sunday morning at 1:40 a.m. ET if still setting out the milk and cookies ahead of Santa's arrival:
6th-NKY, ¥13,400,000, Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m JASPER TIARA (f, 2, Justify–Sweetgrass, by Street Sense) is the first foal to the races for her dam, placed no fewer than five times at the graded-stakes level for Six Column Stables and Randy Bloch and purchased by Baccari Bloodstock for $250,000 at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. The May 3 foal, who was scratched from an intended debut in July, was one of 12 youngsters purchased by trainer Hideyuki Mori at Keeneland September last fall, hammering for $150,000. A full-sister to Jasper Tiara fetched $160,000 at this year's KEESEP sale, while Sweetgrass was sold on for $135,000 in foal to City of Light at last month's Keeneland November sale. B-Chris Baccari, Brad Stephens & Breeze Easy (KY)
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. While much of the local focus will be on the 14 runners entered across the four races that comprise the Longines Hong Kong International Races, Sunday's action at home includes the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies:
Saturday, December 10, 2022 6th-NKY, ¥13,400,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m LAP STAR (c, 2, Justify–Guest Suite, by Ghostapper) looks to give his first-crop sire (by Scat Daddy) a winner on the competitive JRA circuit for the third week running. A $400,000 Keeneland September acquisition by trainer Hideyuki Mori on behalf of owner Susumu Fujita, the Feb. 5 foal is a half-brother to GIII Lecomte S. winner Guest House (Quality Road). The dark bay colt is out of a winning daughter of Grade III winner Welcome Surprise (Seeking the Gold), who sadly passed away this year, and the third dam includes the likes of A.P. Indy, Summer Squall and Court Vision. This is also the family of this year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies third Raging Sea (Curlin). B-Hartmut H Malluche & Silesia Farm (KY)
Sunday, December 11, 2022 4th-HSN, ¥13,400,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m DONA SWEAT (f, 2, Justify–No Sweat, by Blame) is the first foal out of her twice stakes-placed dam, who was purchased by Ashview Farm for $300,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November sale before visiting this stallion for her first covering. A $425,000 graduate of last year's KEESEP sale, Dona Sweat is a granddaughter of MSW & MGSP Coolwind (Forest Wildcat), herself the dam of GIII Iowa Derby winner Looking Cool (Candy Ride {Arg}). The filly's third dam is Grade III heroine Scoop (Gone West). B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY)
11th-HSN, HSN Juvenile Fillies-G1, ¥123m ($903k), 2yo, f, 1600mT AIM IN LIFE (f, 2, Kitten's Joy–Elisheva, by Smart Strike) debuted victoriously over course and distance Oct. 15 (video, SC 2) and gave a solid account of herself when sixth facing winners for the first time Nov. 27. The North Hills homebred is the first produce from her dam, a daughter of champion Believe (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), whose G1 Sprinters' S.-winning son Gendarme (Kitten's Joy) breaks from the eight hole in Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. Believe is also responsible for MSW & G1SP Faridat (Kingmambo) and SW/GSP Fiducia (Medaglia d'Oro). B-North Hills Co Limited (KY)
