By Alan Carasso
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 Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses:
Sunday, April 2, 2017
1st-HSN, ¥9,550,000 (US$86k), Mdn, 3yo, 1400m
ALPHABET (c, 3, The Factor–Oneminutetomidnite, by Street Cry {Ire}) had to deal with gate 16 for his course-and-distance debut Mar. 19, but landed in a prominent spot and stayed on well to be a clear second behind an impressive winner (video). Christophe Lemaire takes over at the controls atop the Maryland-bred colt, a $100K KEESEP yearling turned $270K OBSMAR breezer.
10th-HSN, ¥36,200,000 (US$325k), Allowance, 3yo, 1400mT
ASTER SWING (c, 3, Haynesfield–Swinging, by Wild Again) has raced exclusively on the dirt to this point in his career and has done so with credit, with two wins from five tries, including a victory at Kyoto Feb. 19 (video, #4). He'll switch to the turf for the first time in his career, but he's got enough breeding top and bottom to suggest it's well within his reach. His dam is a half to Grade III turf winner Animal Spirits (Arch) while further down the page are turf GSWs Divine Oath (Broken Vow), Auntie Joy (Uncle Mo) and Interactif (Broken Vow). Aster Swing's third dam is the immortal Personal Ensign (Private Account).
Saturday, April 1, 2017
3rd-NKY, ¥9,550,000 (US$86k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
STORMY STAR (JPN) (c, 3, To Honor and Serve–Stormy Renee, by Storm Cat) didn't show much when well beaten in a pair of starts on the grass to begin his career, but improved to finish sixth in his first try on the dirt last time out. His dam, a daughter of dual Grade I winner Fleet Renee (Seattle Slew), had already produced SW Hightail (Mineshaft) when she was sold for $425K carrying this colt in utero to Shimokobe Farm at the 2013 FTKNOV sale.
7th-NKY, ¥13,720,000 (US$123k), Allowance, 3yo, 1200m
EARTH MYSTERY (c, 3, Overdriven–Terry M., by Crusader Sword) split a field of maidens in eighth on his career debut in December, but improved for the experience to graduate over course and distance Jan. 22 (video, #8). Bred in Florida by Tommy and Lori Fackler's Best A Luck Farm, the chestnut was purchased by Nasuno Farm for $120K at the 2016 OBSAPR sale, the third-highest price for a first-crop juvenile for this Ocala Stud-based stallion.
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