In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes 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 Chukyo, Nakayama and Hanshin Racecourses. Juvenile Fillies got their chance at Group 1 glory last weekend and it's the boys' turn this weekend at Hanshin, with the running of the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity:
Saturday, December 17, 2022
5th-CKO, ¥13,400,000, Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
REGNUM (c, 2, American Pharoah–Big Meesh {Ire}, by High Chaparral {Ire}) was a $170,000 purchase out of the 2020 Keeneland November Sale and was bought back on a bid of $265,000 at KEESEP before fetching $340,000 as an OBS April breezer this past spring (:9 4/5). The colt's dam, a half-sister to MGSW turf distaffer Noble Stella (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), was acquired by Grantley Acres with Regnum in utero for $250,000 at the 2019 KEENOV sale. B-Grantley Acres & Ryan Conner (KY)
6th-NKY, ¥13,400,000, Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
KEEP SMILING (JPN) (f, 2, Quality Road–Weep No More, by Mineshaft) is the second foal from her dam, upset winner of the 2016 GI Ashland S. at Keeneland and who produced $400,000 KEESEP grad War Classic (War Front) before being acquired privately by Northern Farm and bred to this successful stallion prior to her export. Weep No More, a half-sister to GSW Current (Curlin) and to the dam of the SW & GSP Half Is Enough (Frosted), is also responsible for a colt by the late Duramente (Jpn) that fetched better than $735,000 as a yearling at this year's JRHA Select Sale. The filly's third dam is 2001 GI Kentucky Oaks victress Flute (Seattle Slew). B-Northern Farm
Sunday, December 18, 2022
11th-HSN, Asahi Hai Futurity-G1, ¥136m, 2yo, 1600mT
FROM DUSK (c, 2, Bolt d'Oro–Foolish Cause, by Giant's Causeway) realized a bid of $200,000 at last year's KEESEP sale before blossoming into a $900,000 OBS March juvenile. A fighting debut winner at Kokura Sept. 3, he was compromised by a slow start first time against winners Sept. 24, but made the majority of the running when last seen in the G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. over seven furlongs and was caught in the dying yards (see below, SC 7). Yutaka Take takes the ride on the colt, whose dam is a half-sister to the treble Grade I-winning turfer Get Stormy (Stormy Atlantic). B-Springhouse Farm (KY)
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