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First Stakes Winner For Drefong as Geoglyph Dominates in Japan

The G3 Sapporo Nisai S. featured nine juveniles, but it was the June 26 debut winner Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong) who was the star of the show on Saturday, drawing off to win by four lengths.

The first black-type winner for his GI Breeders' Cup Sprint-winning sire, the even-money favourite hopped slightly at the start and was last entering the first turn. Tucked in behind as Top Cast (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) cut out the early running, pilot Christophe Lemaire kept the chestnut in touch with his foes and began to make up some ground as the pacesetter covered five furlongs in 1:00.30.

Geoglyph's rallying rush continued on the far turn and he had moved up to fourth with a quarter-mile yet to travel. The Sunday Racing colourbearer came charging three deep into the lane, took command and skipped away to win as much the best. Ask Wild More (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) closed to take second four lengths back and 1 ½ lengths to the good of fellow closer Tosen Vanno (Jpn) (Vanquish Run {Jpn}).

Pedigree Notes

Drefong, named Eclipse Champion Sprinter Stateside in 2016 and a three-time Grade I winner, has 78 foals from his first crop that are 2-year-olds of 2021. The son of dual Eclipse Champion Grass Horse (2009/2010) and 2009 Eclipse Champion Older Horse Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) stands at Shadai Stallion Station.

The fourth foal and runner from his dam, the G1 Shuka Sho and G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. third Aromatico (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), Geoglyph is the third winner and first black-type scorer. Since foaling Geoglyph, she has a yearling colt by Epiphaneia (Jpn) and a weanling filly by Harbinger (GB) to her credit. Aromatico is out of the Sunday Silence mare Nasca (Jpn), who is a half-sister to MGSW Inti Raimi (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}); Group 3 hero San Valentin (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}); SW Over the Wall (Jpn) (Dr Devious {Ire}); and the winning dam of MGSW Albert (Jpn) (Admire Don {Jpn}).

Saturday, Sapporo, Japan
SAPPORO NISAI STAKES-G3, ¥59,130,000, Sapporo, 9-4, 2yo, 1800mT, 1:49.10, fm.
1–GEOGLYPH (JPN), 119, c, 2, by Drefong
                1st Dam: Aromatico (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
                2nd Dam: Nasca (Jpn), by Sunday Silence
                3rd Dam: Andes Lady (Jpn), by Northern Taste
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Sunday Racing;
B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Takaki Iwato; J-Christophe Lemaire.
¥31,371,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. *1st SW/GSW for his
sire (by Gio Ponti). Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ask Wild More (Jpn), 119, c, 2, Kizuna (Jpn)–La Seleccion
(Jpn), by Zenno Rob Roy (Jpn). O-Toshihiro Hirosaki HD;
B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥12,106,000.
3–Tosen Vanno (Jpn), 119, c, 2, Vanquish Run (Jpn)–Tosen
Sonja (Jpn), by Fantastic Light. O-Takaya Shimakawa; B-S.T.
Farm (Jpn); ¥7,853,000.
Margins: 4, HF, 1HF. Odds: 1.10, 11.90, 22.10.
Also Ran: Only Opinion (Jpn), Top Cast (Jpn), Lubeck (Jpn), A T Makfi (Jpn), Yukino Ojisama (Jpn), Kurino Megami Ace (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart & video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Notable US-Breds in Japan: Sept. 4 & 5, 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 Kokura, Niigata and Sapporo Racecourses. It could be a good weekend for Into Mischief and for his son Practical Joke, who is to be represented by one of his first-crop runners in Group 3 company Sunday at Kokura:

Saturday, September 4, 2021
5th-SAP, ¥13,400,000 ($122k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1500mT
SPEED GLAMOUR (f, 2, Into Mischief–Island Escape, by Petionville) was led out unsold on a bid of $250,000 at Keeneland September last year, but breezed a furlong in the joint-bullet time of :9 4/5 at this year's OBS March Sale and was knocked down to owner Yuji Hasegawa for $500,000. A half-sister to treble GSW–a pair on turf and another in the slop– Tricky Escape (Hat Trick {Jpn}), the February-foaled bay hails from the extended female family of GISW Awesome Humor (Distorted Humor). B-Machmer Hall (KY)

5th-KOK, ¥13,400,000 ($122k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT
JODELN (c, 2, More Than Ready–Her Majesty's Flag, by Midshipman), a $100,000 KEESEP acquisition by trainer Hideyuki Mori, is the first foal to the races for his dam, a stakes winner over the Woodbine all-weather track and stakes placed on conventional dirt. The colt's stakes-winning third dam Regal Pennant (Banner Bob) dropped GSW Regally Appealing (Valid Appeal); SW Regal Miss Copelan (Copelan), the dam of MGSW Rockport Harbor (Unbridled's Song); and SP Patti's Regal Song (Unbridled's Song), dam of recent GI CCA Oaks victress Maracuja (Honor Code). B-Mercedes Stables LLC (KY)

5th-NII, ¥13,400,000 ($122k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT
KIMIKOSO SHACHO (c, 2, Arrogate–Delicate Lady, by Thunder Gulch), whose dam was third in the 2015 GII Adirondack S., was offered in utero at Fasig-Tipton November in 2018, but was bought back when bidding stalled out at $225,000. Purchased by Mori for $200,000 at KEESEP last fall, the gray colt descends from the female family of SW Pistols Drawn (First Defence) from the same Unbridled's Song sire line, and GISW A Wild Ride (Wild Again). Mirco Demuro has the call. B-Profoal Partners 8 LLC (KY)

Sunday, September 5, 2021
6th-NII, ¥13,400,000 ($122k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT
PINK DIA (c, 2, Speightstown–Tap Diva, by Tapit) is the first foal out of a half-sister to GISW Crisp (El Corredor), who was exported to Japan carrying the colt that would become millionaire MSW Danon Pharaoh (Jpn) (American Pharoah); and to SW Deer Valley (Speightstown), who has produced foals by Frankel (GB) and Kingman (GB) in her first two years at stud. A $150,000 Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Showcase graduate, Pink Dia is bred like GISW Lexitonian and looks to become his sire's 34th Japanese winner from 39 starters. B-Robert Schaedle (KY)

11th-KOK, Kokura Nisai S.-G3, ¥58.6m ($533k), 2yo, 1200mT
Connections thought enough of $190,000 OBSMAR graduate DUGAT (c, 2, Practical Joke–Untraveled, by Canadian Frontier) to pitch him in over his conditions on debut and he gave a promising account of himself in finishing a well-backed third, beaten just three lengths, in dreadful conditions (see below, gate 10). The Mar. 31 foal, from the family of champion GSW/MG1SP Green Perfume (Naevus), is a candidate to appreciate a sounder surface this weekend and Yutaka Take has the return riding assignment. B-Erv Woolsey & Ralph Kinder (KY)

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Sodashi Game in G2 Sapporo Kinen Victory

Japan's Champion 2-Year-Old Filly and G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas heroine Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) returned to the winner's circle with a game victory in the G2 Sapporo Kinen on Sunday.

Second choice behind favoured 4-5 pick and 2019 Apr. 25 G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup victress Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) at 5-2, Sodashi broke widest of all in the 13-horse field and stalked the pacesetter Taurus Gemini (Jpn) (King's Best) from second through splits of :23.40 for the quarter and :47.40 for the half. Despite the drizzle, the 1000-metre split was :59.90 over the firm turf and the 2-year-old champ appeared poised through six furlongs in 1:12.30. She picked up leadership duties shortly before the 600-metre marker and fended off an early rush from Blast Onepiece (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}). Turning into the lane glued to the fence, Sodashi buckled down for the run to the line as more challengers began winding up for their runs. Loves Only You whittled into Sodashi's advantage inside the final furlong, with Persian Knight (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) mirroring that move from out in the centre of the course, but both rallying efforts would fall short. The winning margin was a measured three-quarters of a length over Loves Only You with a head back to Persian Knight.

After taking four straight starts at two culminating in the Dec. 13 G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, the white wonder added the first fillies' Classic of the season on Apr. 11, but tired to eighth in the G1 Japanese Oaks when last seen on May 23.

Pedigree Notes
A daughter of the four-time winner Buchiko, Sodashi is the first foal from her dam and has a juvenile full-sister named Mama Cocha (Jpn) (Kurofune). Barren to Maurice (Jpn) for 2020, Buchiko has a 2021 colt by that sire.

Two half-sisters of Buchiko have celebrated victories as stakes producers or granddams to stakes winners in Japan, among them dual stakes winner Yukichan (Jpn) (Kurofune) whose granddaughter Meikei Yell (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) took the G2 Tulip Sho, G3 Kokura Nisai S. and G3 Fantasy S.; while Marshmallow (Jpn) (Kurofune) has already foaled G3 Leopard S. winner Hayayakko (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) and the listed-placed Pionono (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). This is the extended family of GII Test S. heroine Storm and Sunshine (Star de Naskra), responsible for a trio of stakes winners led by Grade II winner Smile Again (Wild Again).

Sunday, Sapporo, Japan
SAPPORO KINEN-G2, ¥135,300,000, Sapporo, 8-22, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:59.50, fm.
1–SODASHI (JPN), 115, f, 3, by Kurofune
                1st Dam: Buchiko (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
                2nd Dam: Shirayukihime (Jpn), by Sunday Silence
                3rd Dam: Wave Wind, by Topsider
O-Makoto Kaneko Holdings; B-Northern Farm (Jpn);
T-Naosuke Sugai; J-Hayato Yoshida. ¥70,910,000. Lifetime
Record: Ch. 2yo Filly-Jpn, MG1SW-Jpn, 7-6-0-0. Werk Nick
   Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Loves Only You (Jpn), 121, m, 5, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Loves
Only Me, by Storm Cat. (¥160,000,000 Ylg '17 JRHAJUL).
O-DMM Dream Club; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥28,260,000.
3–Persian Knight (Jpn), 126, h, 7, Harbinger (GB)–Orient Charm
(Jpn), by Sunday Silence. O-G1 Racing; B-Oiwake Farm (Jpn);
¥18,130,000.
Margins: 3/4, HD, 1 3/4. Odds: 2.80, 0.90, 27.20.
Also Ran: Meiner Virtus (Jpn), Blast Onepiece (Jpn), You Can Smile (Jpn), Ice Bubble (Jpn), Diamant Minoru (Jpn), Win Kiitos (Jpn), Taurus Gemini (Jpn), Satono Cecil (GB). DNF: Stay Foolish (Jpn), Bio Spark (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart & video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Notable US-Breds in Japan: Aug. 22, 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 Sunday running at Kokura, Niigata and Sapporo Racecourses. Sunday's G3 Kitakyushu Kinen at Kokura, one of a couple of steppingstones to October's G1 Sprinters' S., has attracted US-bred GISW Mozu Superflare (Speightstown) and GSW/G1SP Gendarme (Kitten's Joy) going the metric six furlongs:

Sunday, August 22, 2021
1st-SAP, ¥9,680,000 ($88k), Maiden, 2yo, 1500mT
SEA VIXEN (f, 2, Into Mischief–Sly Warrior, by First Samurai) is out of a four-time winning half-sister to MSP Pull Dancer (Pulpit), the dam of the versatile Good Samaritan (Harlan's Holiday), a two-time graded winner and Grade I-placed on the main track and GSW/GISP on the grass; and GSW Brave Nation (Pioneerof the Nile). The February foal's third dam Emmaus (Silver Deputy) produced Wise Dan's sire Wiseman's Ferry (Hennessy) and was a half-sister to GSWs Della Francesca (Danzig), Country Cat (Storm Cat) and Bernstein (Storm Cat). A $130K Keeneland September yearling, Sea Vixen fetched $500K from Yuji Hasegawa after breezing a furlong in the bullet time of :9 4/5 at OBS this past March. B-Breeze Easy LLC (KY)

3rd-NII, ¥13,400,000 ($122k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
HANA KIRI (c, 2, Tapit–Tamarack Bay, by Dehere) was snapped up for $325K by trainer Hideyuki Mori on behalf of owner Tsuyoshi Ono at KEESEP last fall and looks to become the eighth winner from nine to race from his GSP dam. Of the seven previous winners, four have earned full black-type, including GISW Tamarando (Bertrando), GSW turf marathoner Ward 'N Jerry (Lucky Pulpit)–third in a Del Mar optional claimer Thursday–MSW Luckarack (Lucky Pulpit) and SW U'narack (Unusual Heat). To date, the all-conquering Tapit is the sire of 37 winners from 41 starters in Japan. Mirco Demuro sees fit to ride. B-Mr & Mrs Larry D Williams (KY)

5th-KOK, ¥13,400,000 ($122k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT
JEAN GROS (c, 2, More Than Ready–Goodbye Stranger, by Broad Brush) was acquired by John Mayer's Nursery Place for $120K carrying this full-brother to MGSW & GISP Tom's Ready at Keeneland January in 2019 and led the colt out unsold on a bid of $130K at KEESEP in 2020. Pike Racing consigned the early March foal to this year's OBSMAR sale, where he was knocked down to the aforementioned Mori for $265K after breezing in :10 flat. Jean Gros is out of a half to the MSW dam of Deep Opus (Exchange Rate), a four-time winner of better than $600K in Japan. B-Nursery Place & Partners (KY)

6th-KOK, ¥9,680,000 ($88k), Maiden, 3yo, 1000m
LA LA CHANDON (c, 3, Street Sense–Divine Praises, by Medaglia d'Oro) cost $260K at KEESEP in 2019 and is out of a full-sister to MGSW & GISP Valid and a half to GISW Malibu Prayer (Malibu Moon). The colt's third dam Lyrical Prayer (The Minstrel) produced future GISW Swagger Jack (Smart Strike) when she was 18 years of age, a decade after foaling GSW Tap Dance (Pleasant Tap). The now 2-year-old out of Divine Praises, a filly named Harper's Road (Quality Road),was purchased by the Albaugh Family for $400K at KEESEP last fall. B-Three Chimneys Farm LLC (KY)

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