Tokyo | Horse Racing Free Tips

February S. Kicks off Japanese Group 1 Season

Group 1 racing action returns to Japan with Tokyo's G1 February S., a 'Win and You're In' event for the Breeders' Cup Classic, which will be held at Del Mar this fall. Heading the 16-horse field is Café Pharoah (Jpn) (American Pharoah), who aired by 10 lengths in an 1800-meter maiden race at Nakayama in December 2019 before reeling off three consecutive wins, including Tokyo's G3 Unicorn S. (1600m) last June. Favored in the 2000-meter G1 Japan Dirt Derby at NAR-Oi in July, he finished an even seventh over the muddy track before returning from a three-month layoff to win the G3 Sirius S. at Chukyo in October. Jumping up in class for his latest, he came home sixth in the 1800-meter G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo Dec. 6.

Red le Zele (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who has registered seven wins between 1200-1400 meters, rounded off last term with a runner-up finish in the 1200 meter-G3 Capella S. at Nakayama in December. Stepped up to 1400 meters for his latest, the 5-year-old took the Jan. 31 G3 Negishi S. at Tokyo.

The February S. will be the bay's first appearance at the 1600-meter distance, but trainer Takayuki Yasuda is unconcerned.

“The stretch-out in distance is not a worry,” he said. “I am very exciting to see his performance over the distance.”

Auvergne (Jpn) (Smart Falcon {Jpn}) comes into this event off a three-race win skein, including the 1800-meter G2 Tokai TV Hai Tokai S. at Chukyo Jan. 24.

“Last time out, he was able to run 1,000 meters in :59.3, and asserted well at the end to go on and win,” said assistant trainer Eiko Umeuchi. “He's quite easy to control and has good racing sense, as can be seen by him getting into good positions early in a race without too much effort.”

Sunrise Nova (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}) makes his fourth attempt on the February S., a race in which he finished third last year. Winner of the G3 Procyon S. at Hanshin last July, he was fourth in Morioka's Listed Mile Championship in October before returning to score in the 1600-meter G3 Tokyo Chunichi Sports Hai Musashino S. Nov. 14. In his final start of the seaon, the chestnut finished 12th in Chukyo's G1 Champions Cup.

Trainer Hidetaka Otonashi said, “He doesn't seem suited by Chukyo for some reason, but the mile at Tokyo is good for him. On returning from a short break at the farm, he's been working with stablemate Danburite, and he's been moving well.”

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Notable US-Bred & -Sired Runners in Japan: Feb. 20 & 21, 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 Hanshin and Tokyo Racecourses. Group 1 racing returns to Japan with Sunday's running of the February S. at headquarters, in which the very talented Cafe Pharaoh (American Pharoah) is likely to jump a warm favorite:

Saturday, February 20, 2021
2nd-HSN, ¥9,680,000 ($92k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400m
FINE HAPPY (f, 3, Runhappy–Unbridled Empire, by Empire Maker) gave a good account of herself when fourth, beaten about five lengths, on Tokyo debut Jan. 30. The $340K Keeneland September yearling, a half-sister to GISW Arklow (Arch) and MGSW Maraud (Blame), was produced by a half-sister to GISW and Japanese stallion Fourty Niners Son (Distorted Humor) and GISW Cindy's Hero (Sea Hero), the dam of MGSW & GISP Delegation (Speightstown). This is also the family of champion Silverbulletday (Silver Deputy). B-John R & Frank Penn (KY)

6th-HSN, ¥13,830,000 ($131k), Allowance, 3yo, 1800m
JASPER DREAM (c, 3, Speightstown–Liberated, by Curlin) overcame a double-digit draw to best fellow US-bred Voix d'Ange (Curlin) going this trip at Chukyo Jan. 11 (see below, gate 11) and returns to the dirt off an unplaced effort on turf in the Listed Wakagoma S. Jan. 23. The $125K KEESEP yearling is out of a Grade II-placed daughter of SW & GISP Lady Melesi (Colonial Affair), the dam of SW/MGSP Seruni (Saint Liam), GSW English Affair (English Channel), SW Roman Emperor (Empire Maker) and GSP Doc Cheney (Saint Ballado). Connections opt for this spot over Sunday's Listed Hyacinth S. B-G Watts Humphrey Jr (KY)

Sunday, February 21, 2021
3rd-TOK, ¥11,400,000 ($108k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1600m
KARNAK (JPN) (c, 3, American Pharoah–Kitten's Dumplings, by Kitten's Joy) is the first Japanese-foaled for his dam, winner of the 2013 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland and acquired privately by Shadai Farm in 2016. The mare's first foal is Karnak's 4-year-old US-bred full-brother Abul Haul, a maiden winner from five runs and also entered on Sunday's program at Tokyo. Kitten's Dumplings is a full-sister to GSW Granny's Kitten and SW/GSP Granny Mc's Kitten. Christophe Lemaire has the call. B-Shadai Farm

11th-HSN, ¥41,800,000 ($395k), Handicap, 4yo/up, 1200m
HERRSCHAFT (c, 4, Will Take Charge–Love Ava Love, by Mr. Greeley) was one of the surprise packages among last year's Japanese 3-year-old crop, winning twice from three starts, including the Fukuryu S. (allowance) in March (see below, gate 2), what was to be the final leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. The $110K KEENOV weanling turned $200K KEESEP yearling is out of a half-sister to MSW & GSP Global Power (Pulpit) and his third dam is 1994 Canadian Horse of the Year Alywow (Alysheba). B-Colts LLC (KY)

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Efforia Sublime in Tokyo

Tabbed the 5-1 fourth choice, Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) entered the Japanese Classic picture with a bang in the G3 Kyodo News Hai at Tokyo on Sunday.

Rank from the stalls, the bay was full of energy before relaxing into fourth as early pacesetter Deep Rich (Jpn) (Deep Brillante {Jpn}) was overcome by Heart of a City (Jpn) (Heart's Cry). Shifted out to the center of the course for the stretch drive, he was given a right-handed reminder and strode away to win by 2 1/2 good-looking lengths. Victipharus (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) closed to take second, a head in front of second favourite Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

Efforia donned cap and gown at first asking in a 2000-metre newcomer event last August before claiming another 2000-metre race-this time at Tokyo on Nov. 8.

Pedigree Notes

Young stallion Epiphaneia, sire of last year's Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown heroine Daring Tact (Jpn), notched his third group winner and fourth black-type winner with Efforia (Jpn)'s win on Sunday.

The second foal and first winner for his three-time winning dam, Efforia has a juvenile half-brother by Harbinger (GB), and a yearling filly by Maurice (Jpn). Katies Heart was covered by Satono Crown (Jpn) in 2020.

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
KYODO NEWS SERVICE HAI-G3, ¥72,610,000 (US$691,798/£499,732/€570,771), Tokyo, 2-14, 3yo, 1800mT, 1:47.60, fm.
1–EFFORIA (JPN), 123, c, 3, Epiphaneia (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Katies Heart (Jpn), by Heart's Cry (Jpn)
                2nd Dam: Katies First, by Kris (GB)
                3rd Dam: Katies (Ire), by Nonoalco
1STBLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Carrot Farm;
B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Yuichi Shikato; J-Takeshi Yokoyama.
¥38,427,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
   *Triple Plus*.
2–Victipharus (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Virginia (Jpn),
by Galileo (Ire). O-G1 Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn);
¥15,122,000.
3–Shahryar (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Dubai Majesty,
by Essence of Dubai. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn);
¥9,561,000.
Margins: 2HF, HD, NK. Odds: 5.80, 40.90, 3.90.
Also Ran: Kingston Boy (Jpn), Stella Veloce (Jpn), Kaiser Nova (Jpn), Platina Treasure (Jpn), Deep Rich (Jpn), Leftovers (Jpn), Heart of a City (Jpn), Dios Valiente (Jpn), Taiso (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart & video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Notable US-Bred & -Sired Runners in Japan: Feb. 13 & 14, 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 Hanshin and Toyko Racecourses. The latter plays host to Saturday's G3 Queen Cup, featuring the seasonal debut of the talented, but (very) quirky Reframe (American Pharoah):

Saturday, February 13, 2021
6th-HSN, ¥13,830,000 ($132k), Allowance, 3yo, 1400m
OLYMPIC DAY (c, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Flagstaff {GB}, by Dansili {GB}), a respectable fifth in a sloppy Chukyo maiden Sept. 26, returned to graduate handily at Niigata Oct. 25 and makes his sophomore debut here. A $400K Keeneland September buyback and $420K OBS March breezer, the bay is out of a daughter of G1 Prix de la Foret heroine and US MGSW/GISP Etoile Montante (Miswaki), whose MGSW daughter Starformer (Dynaformer) produced SW & GSP Flavius (War Front). This is the same Juddmonte female family as Tates Creek (Rahy) and Sightseek (Distant View). B-Fred W Hertrich III (KY)

11th-TOK, Queen Cup-G3, ¥66.6m ($636k), 3yo, f, 1600mT
REFRAME (c, 3, American Pharoah–Careless Jewel, by Tapit) overcame single-minded ways to break her maiden at first asking in July (see below, gate 15) and was much better behaved taking out a 1400-meter allowance when saved for a late run at this venue in October (video, gate 6). Last seen finishing a close fifth in Group 2 company here Nov. 7, the daughter of the 2009 GI Alabama S. winner has undergone plenty of retraining for this return to the races. Reframe was a $410K purchase out of the 2019 KEESEP sale. B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY)

Sunday, February 14, 2021
2nd-TOK, ¥11,400,000 ($109k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1400m
SLAP SHOT (JPN) (c, 3, Air Force Blue–Laxfield Road, by Quality Road) is out of a stakes-placed half-sister to 2018 GI Del Mar Futurity third Zatter (Midnight Lute) and was sold for $200K in utero at the 2018 KEEJAN sale. Subsequently moved on for ¥32.9 million ($305,354) at the Hokkaido Summer Select Yearling Sale, Slap Shot hails from the female family of GISWs Secret Hello and Monba. Air Force Blue's year-younger half-brother Soleil de Paris (Lemon Drop Kid) was a $535K KEESEP grad and won three of eight starts in Japan. B-Sakurai Bokujo

4th-HSN, ¥11,400,000 ($109k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1400m
ROSE EMPEROR (c, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Arch Support, by Arch) was bought back on a bid of $220K at KEESEP in 2019, then hammered for $350K at OBSMAR last winter after breezing an eighth of a mile in :10 1/5. The April foal, whose Grade III-placed dam is a daughter of SW Two Ninety Jones (Sir Harry Lewis), is bred on the cross over Roberto-line mares responsible for this sire's GISW Marketing Mix and other graded winners Dark Cove and Golden Award, the last of which is also out of an Arch mare. B-Lee Pokoik (KY)

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