2nd-HSN, 12-23, ¥9,550,000 (US$81k), 2yo, 1200m (8:30p ET Thurs.)
MOZU MEYDAN (Pioneer of the Nile) debuted with a 10th-place effort behind the impressive Zuar (The Factor) in a 1400m turf maiden at Chukyo Dec. 4, but can improve with a switch to the dirt here. A $190,000 Keeneland September yearling bred by KatieRich Farms, the bay colt is out of Ruthless S. runner-up Status Pending (Tale of the Cat), herself a half-sister to MSW & GSO Rock Candy (Mineshaft).
3rd-HSN, 12-24, ¥9,550,000 (US$81k), 2yo, 1400mT (9:10p ET Fri)
YUJI (War Front) earned a bit of prize money when fifth on his Dec. 4 debut in an 1800m newcomers' race on the dirt at Nakayama, but is possessed of a pedigree to take nicely to this shorter trip and new surface. A $900,000 graduate of the 2015 Keeneland September sale, the dark bay is a son of GSW & MGISP Satans Quick Chick (Sky Mesa), while second dam Dancing Devlette (Devil's Bag) was twice graded placed on the turf and produced Grade III turf winner Pratella (Jade Hunter). The latter is the dam of SW & MGSP Angliana (Giant's Causeway). Visiting French rider Vincent Cheminaud has the call.
9th-NKY, 12-25, Hopeful S.-G2, ¥128,430,000 (US$1.09m), 2yo, 2000mT (12:35a ET Sunday)
Koji Maeda of Lani (Tapit) fame paid $165,000 for MELIORA (Giant's Causeway) at last year's Keeneland September sale and the half-brother to 'TDN Rising Star' Cross Traffic (Unbridled's Song) launched his career on a positive note with a narrow debut success going 2000m over the turf at Hanshin Sept. 11. Meliora's dual Grade I-winning dam Stop Traffic (Cure the Blues) is also the dam of MSW Thirteen Arrows (Indian Charlie) and SW Exodus (Medaglia d'Oro). Among the competition is Globe Theatre (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), a half-brother to G1 Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) and a full-brother to last year's Japanese champion 2-year-old colt Leontes (Jpn). Dam Cesario (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}) won the Yushun Himba and GI American Oaks in 2005. –Alan Carasso
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