In this ongoing 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 Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses, including the sophomore debut for a track record-setting son of the late Scat Daddy:
Saturday, February 3, 2018
4th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 ($125k), Allowance, 3yo, 1200m
PERPETUO (f, 3, Pioneerof the Nile–Ribbon Taffy, by Hard Spun), a $170K FTSAUG yearling turned $540K FTFMAR breezer, was a very good second on debut over track and trip in October and most recently broke through with a four-length victory as the 1-2 chalk at Chukyo Jan. 13 (video, gate 15). Woodford Thoroughbreds acquired the filly's winning dam carrying Perpetuo in utero for $160K at KEENOV in 2014. B-Woodford Thoroughbreds (KY)
7th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 ($125k), Allowance, 3yo, 1400m
MR MELODY (c, 3, Scat Daddy–Trusty Lady, by Deputy Minister) set a Tokyo track record when thrashing future SW Ryono Tesoro (Justin Phillip) by eight lengths Nov. 4 (video, gate 1), but was narrowly runner-up at long odds-on in a pair of tries in the open class during the month of December. A $75K buyback at KEENOV in 2015, the $100K KEESEP yearling and $400K OBSMAR juvenile should be tough to handle in this return to allowance grade. Mr Melody is kin to GSP Trendy Lady (Unbridled's Song) and is a grandson of MGSW & MGISP Klassy Kim (Silent Screen). B-Bell Tower Thoroughbreds (KY)
Sunday, February 4, 2018
2nd-KYO, ¥9,550,000 ($87k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m
TSUBURANA HITOMI (c, 3, More Than Ready–Always Auditioning, by Mizzen Mast) didn't lift a leg in his Nov. 5 debut over the local turf course back in November, but showed some signs of life when switched to the dirt at Chukyo Jan. 13 (video, gate 12), finishing a good third to the aforementioned Perpetuo to complete a WinStar-sired 1-3. The $300K KEESEP RNA and $200K OBSAPR graduate is a full-brother to 2014 GII Beaumont S. winner Ready to Act, whose Speightstown colt of 2016 was sold for $500K at KEESEP last fall. Always Auditioning is a full-sister to American GISW Mast Track and a half to French G1SW Jemayel (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). B-Fred W Hertrich III (KY)
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