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 Tokyo and Hanshin Racecourses:
Saturday, June 3, 2023 5th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT BUSHIN (c, 2, Into Mischief–Flawless, by Mr. Greeley) is a full-brother to 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic, whose dam was offered two months after the latter won the GI Kentucky Derby and just 24 hours following his victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, but was led out unsold on a bid of $4.1 million with this colt in utero at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. An $800,000 Keeneland September acquisition by trainer Hideyuki Mori on behalf of owner Susumu Fujita, Bushin is kin to a yearling Into Mischief filly named Priceless, and the 16-year-old Flawless foaled another full-sister to Authentic this past Mar. 30. B-Peter E Blum Thoroughbreds LLC (KY)
WATCH: Bushin training towards his debut (:48 mark, inside horse)
Sunday, June 4, 2023 5th-HSN, ¥13,720,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT BRIGHT AGAIN (f, 2, Practical Joke–Yankee Bright, by Elusive Quality) is bred similarly to the aforementioned Bushin and cost $67,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. The Valentine's Day foal looks to become the seventh winner from eight to race out of a half-sister to nine-time stakes winner and Grade III-placed Isn't He Clever (Smarty Jones); GSW Adventist (Any Given Saturday; English Group 3 winner Dijeerr (Danzig); and MSW & GSP Sharp Writer (Capote). The third dam Sharp Call (GB) (Sharpen Up {GB}) was responsible for Allen Paulson turf standout Flag Down (Deputy Minister). B-George E Bates Trustee (KY)
Carrot Farm's Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), who fell victim to a stinging late rush from Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Satuski Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) Apr. 16, got first run on that favoured foe in the long Tokyo straight and found the wire a neck to the good, dashing any hope for a Triple Crown for 2023. Heart's Concerto (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) was a strong third at longshot odds, but the race was marred by the death of Carrot Farm's second betting choice Skilfing (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), who suffered a cardiac event in the late stages and collapsed past the winning post.
The Derby was run at just a steady tempo, as Pax Ottomanica (Jpn) (Victoire Pisa {Jpn}) set the pace in advance of fellow outsider Ho O Biscuits (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits). Tastiera, somewhat surprisingly no better than the fourth most-fancied runner, assumed a prominent spot beneath the visiting Damian Lane after beginning a beat slowly and raced two wide and with the benefit of cover entering the back straight.
Pax Ottomanica was slipped a bit of rein and had stretched his advantage to a good half-dozen lengths passing the 1400-metre peg, but those doing the chasing were being ridden patiently, waiting for the speed to come back to them. Pax Ottomanica opened up by as many as 10 lengths entering the final three furlongs, but Tastiera was given his cue by Lane three deep off the home corner, with odds-on Sol Oriens just behind and to his left, right on his flank. Pax Ottomanica held bravely, clearly advantaged by the easy tempo, but was collared by Tastiera just inside the furlong, and although Sol Oriens was in the clear with every chance from there, the wire arrived in time for Tastiera. Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) stumbled at the start and lost jockey Ryusei Sakai.
A Trip Down Memory 'Lane'
Just 29 years old, Bunbury, Western Australia, native Damian Lane is perennially among the top riders in Victoria and is the latest big name to make a big impression on short-term contracts in Japan. Sunday's Derby marks the jockey's fifth top-level success in the country, two of which came aboard Carrot Farm's Horse of the Year Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen and G1 Arima Kinen either side of a stirring score in the 2019 G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley for Yoshito Yahagi.
The first of his 13 Japanese group victories came astride Carrot Farm's Mer de Glace (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) in the 2019 G3 Niigata Daishoten, and Lane was once again in the irons for a one-length tally in that year's G1 Caulfield Cup, a week prior to the Cox Plate. Lane's relationship with Japanese horsepeople also resulted in his landing the ride aboard Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), whom he duly piloted to take out the 2022 G2 UAE Derby. Prior to that, he won the 2017 G1 Toorak H. and G1 Mackinnon S. with the Japanese part-owned Tosen Stardom (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while he also guided Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) to salute in last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase.
Of his first Japanese Classic, Lane said: ‟It's a very special, great feeling especially for Hori Stables and Carrot Farm with whom I've had success. It was definitely the position [today], and credit to the horse–he's so versatile, he could jump quick, put himself in a good position and relax. It's just a great sense of achievement.”
Lane, who closed Sunday's card with a last-gasp success atop Heat on Beat (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in the G2 Meguro Kinen, rides Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) in next Sunday's G1 Yasuda Kinen. The duo teamed to win last year's G1 Mile Championship S.
Pedigree Notes
Tastiera is the first elite-level scorer for his sire, who was acquired in utero in a private transaction and subsequently fetched ¥58 million ($573,040) from prominent owner Hajime Satomi at the 2013 JRHA Select Sale. Also trained by Noriyuki Hori, the dark bay was third to stablemate Duramente (Jpn) in the 2015 Tokyo Yushun and recorded the first Group 1 of his career in the Longines Hong Kong Vase at the tail end of his 4-year-old season. He also annexed the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in 2017 and was retired to Shadai Stallion Station at the end of the following campaign. Satono Crown, a brother to 2011 G1 Cheveley Park Stud S. heroine Lightening Pearl (Ire), has been represented by 29 individual winners to date, including Tosen Laurier (Jpn) and Uvarovite (Jpn), each victorious at the listed stakes level.
On behalf of Shadai Farm, bloodstock agent Patrick Barbe spent $90,000 for Tastiera's Florida-bred fourth dam Crafty Wife (Crafty Prospector) at the Due Process Dispersal at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky in 1989. She was exported to Japan, was bred to Northern Taste and the result was Kyoei Forte (Jpn), a stakes-placed winner of nearly $1.5 million. Second dam Fortepiano was a full-sister to the listed-placed Sound Axis (Jpn) and foaled Partitura to the cover of 2001 Kikuka Sho hero Manhattan Cafe (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) in 2014.
Partitura is the dam of a 2-year-old filly by Bricks and Mortar, a yearling filly by 2017 Derby winner Rey de Oro (Jpn) and was most recently covered by Kitasan Black (Jpn).
Sunday, Tokyo, Japan TOKYO YUSHUN (JAPANESE DERBY)-G1, ¥609,070,000, Tokyo, 5-28, 3yo, c/f, 2400mT, 2:25.20, fm.
1–TASTIERA (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Satono Crown (Jpn) 1st Dam: Partitura (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Fortepiano (Jpn), by French Deputy 3rd Dam: Kyoei Forte (Jpn), by Northern Taste 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; T-Noriyuki Hori; J-Damian Lane; ¥327,349,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, ¥482,329,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Sol Oriens (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Skia (Fr), by Motivator (GB). O-Shadai Race Horse; B- Shadai Farm; ¥127,814,000.
3–Hearts Concerto (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Nasuno Sibelius, by Unbridled's Song. O-Green Farm; B-Hashimoto Farm; ¥78,907,000.
Margins: NK, NO, NO. Odds: 7.30, 0.80, 24.60.
Also Ran: Bellagio Opera (Jpn), Nocking Point (Jpn), Ho O Biscuits (Jpn), Season Rich (Jpn), Phantom Thief (Jpn), Shazzan (Jpn), Hrimfaxi (Jpn), Satono Glanz (Jpn), Metal Speed (Jpn), Pax Ottomanica (Jpn), Top Knife (Jpn), Gruner Green (Jpn), Shonan Bashitto (Jpn), Skilfing (Jpn). DNF: Dura Erede (Jpn) (lost rider). Click for the JRA chart.
Equinox (Jpn) was fractionally unlucky to not reel in Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the 2022 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), falling just a neck short after sustaining a long rally from near the end of the field. The flashy colt got the last laugh when named Japan's Horse of the Year, and his sire Kitasan Black (Jpn) has every chance to sire the quinella in this year's renewal at the Fuchu Racecourse Sunday afternoon.
The two runners may be more closely matched than it appears on paper. Sol Oriens (Jpn) will start a warm favourite in the world's richest Derby, and deservedly so, having come from a near-impossible position and having overcome his own greenness to decision Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) in very testing ground at Nakayama a month and a half ago. Scary as it could be, that was just the third start of his career and there is likely improvement to come, though the Derby and its full field dictate that there is little to no margin for error. To that end, his conditioner believes he is ready for Sunday's task.
“I think his performance in the Satsuki Sho was good,” said Takahisa Tezuka. “I had had my doubts about whether he could do well over the heavy ground and how he would do with the inside gate and the big field. But he came though well on all points. In his trackwork, he has been taking the bit better with each race and is much more forward than before.
“I think 2400 metres is well within reach. I think the ground and the times will be fast and I think those conditions suit him. I'm not worried. On the contrary, I'm happy to see him race on fast ground.”
Derby Fav 3c SOL ORIENS (Kitasan Black x Skia (Motivator)) still humming (inside)
Takeshi Yokoyama gave him and easy time on the Miho chip yet he rattled off an 11.3 close
In the opposite corner is chief market rival Skilfing (Jpn), who overcame a difficult wide trip beneath Christophe Lemaire to defeat the re-opposing Heart's Concerto (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) by a half-length in the G2 Aoba Sho over this course and distance Apr. 29. While the duo drew gates 11 and four last time, respectively, Skilfing leaves from barrier two and Heart's Concerto from 11 this time around.
“After the Aoba Sho, I was glad to see that he came out of the race well, and I consider him to be a very reliable horse,” his trainer Tetsuya Kimura said. “He works well with the rider, listens well and responds well to what the jockey asks of him. I think all his experience at Tokyo should stand him well.”
Satono Glanz (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}) has also already scored over the Derby trip, having improved from his maiden to win a 1-win class conditions at Hanshin in March, and he made it three on the trot with a narrow victory in the G2 Kyoto Shimbun Hai over a mile and three furlongs May 6. He will have to overcome post 18, as Equinox did last year, but has a capable reinsman in the form of Yuga Kawada.
Phantom Thief (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) may not have preferred the soft underfoot conditions in the Satsuki Sho, but managed third all the same, and can improve on a sounder surface Sunday. Farther under the radar is Hrimfaxi (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), the half-brother to the classy Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), who was a well-backed ninth in the Guineas, but was buried down on the worst part of the track for most of the opening mile and seems better than what he showed at Nakayama.
Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who upset last year's G1 Hopeful S. at 89-1, returns to the turf after finishing runner-up to Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) in the G2 UAE Derby on the dirt at Meydan Mar. 25.
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 Kyoto, Niigata and Tokyo Racecourses. The 3-year-old Classics resume this Sunday with the running of the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) at headquarters, led by the very talented Liberty Island (Jpn). Click here for our race preview:
Saturday, May 20, 2023 2nd-KYO, ¥10,480,000 ($76k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400m LA LA BELLEVIlLE (f, 3, Union Rags–Divine Praises, by Medaglia d'Oro), a $130,000 Keeneland September acquisition, is out of a daughter of the stakes-winning Grand Prayer (Grand Slam), whose six scorers from eight to race include GISW Malibu Prayer (Malibu Moon) and four-time GSW and GISP Valid (Medaglia d'Oro). The February foal is also a half-sister to the same owner's La La Chandon (Street Sense), a three-time winner of better than $262,000 in Japan. B-Three Chimneys Farm LLC (KY)
6th-TOK, ¥14,880,000 ($108k), Allowance, 3yo, 1400m WORLDS COLLIDE (c, 3, War Front–Elizabeth Browning {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) was bet into 8-5 favoritism for his six-furlong debut at Nakayama Apr. 8 and got the job done by three-parts of a length (see below, SC 13). A $400,000 purchase out of the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, the bay is out of an Irish Group 2-winning full-sister to G1SW Johannes Vermeer (Ire), SW Sapa Inca (Ire), MG1SP Wembley (Ire) and SP Covent Garden (Ire). The champion third dam Miletrian (Ire) (Marju {Ire}) won the G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot in 2000. B-Lynch Bages Ltd & MacQuarie Bloodstock (KY)
Sunday, May 21, 2023 3rd-NII, ¥10,480,000 ($76k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m MALEFICENT LOVE (f, 3, Arrogate–Highway Mary, by U S Ranger), a half-sister to GI F. E. Kilroe Mile S. winner Hit The Road (More Than Ready), is the latest to the races from a daughter of GII E. P. Taylor S. winner Wandering Star (Red Ransom), the dam of G1SW War Command (War Front) and GSW Naval Officer (Tale of the Cat). This is also the female family of Silver Hawk. B-Fred W Hertrich III (KY)
5th-NII, ¥10,480,000 ($76k), Maiden, 3yo, 2000mT AIR GRIFFON (c, 3, Air Force Blue–Yuzuru, by Medaglia d'Oro) is the third foal to race out of his dam, a stakes winner for these breeders and trainer Michael Matz, who is also responsible for Yuugiri (Shackleford), last year's GIII Fantasy S. victress and successful in this year's Carousel S. at Oaklawn Park. Yuzuru is a half-sister to Nokaze (Empire Maker), herself the dam of Japanese Group 2 winner Air Almas (Majestic Warrior) and of Air Fanditha (Hat Trick {Jpn}), who doubled his Japanese stakes tally in listed company just last weekend. The female family includes Saint Ballado and the Japanese MGSW and Classic-placed Danon Ballade (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). B-Sekie & Tsunebumi Yoshihara (KY)
Fav 3c SOL ORIENS (Kitasan Black x Skia 
(Motivator)) still humming (inside)