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 Niigata and Sapporo Racecourses:
Saturday, August 25, 2018
9th-NII, ¥28,600,000 ($257k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1800m
VIEL SPASS (c, 3, Kitten's Joy–Mighty Renee, by Maria's Mon) graduated at second asking (see below, gate 8) and was listed-placed last season, but is looking for his first top-three finish this term. A $180K Keeneland September acquisition by the Maeda family's North Hills Co., the chestnut is a half-brother to MSW Cyclogenesis (Stormy Atlantic), GSW Mighty Caroline (Stormy Atlantic) and SW Renee's Queen (After Market). Third dam is 1987 GI Spinaway S. winner Over All (Mr. Prospector). North Hills also campaign's Kitten's Joy's GSW & G1SP son Gendarme. Viel Spass's yearling half-brother by American Pharoah is cataloged as hip 191 to this year's KEESEP sale. B-Sierra Farm (KY)
Sunday, August 26, 2018
9th-SAP, ¥19,950,000 ($179k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1500mT
DELTA BAROWS (c, 3, Into Mischief–Sweet Seventeen, by Hard Spun) was an impressive debut winner over soft Tokyo turf last October (see below, gate 5) and was a very game third in Group 2 company in early April (video, gate 2). Joao Moreira has been on fire of late and has the call on the maternal grandson of SW & MGSP Play Ballado (Saint Ballado), a $200K FTSAUG yearling and $200K FTFMAR breezer. B-John C Oxley (KY) –@EquinealTDN
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