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 Nakayama and Hanshin Racecourses, including the stakes debut for a son of Frankel (GB), who looks to negotiate the class hike in search of a fifth straight victory:
Saturday, December 23, 2017
6th-HSN, ¥13,400,000 ($118k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m
GREAT SEAL (c, 2, War Front&log=">War Front), a son of multiple Irish highweight and G1SW Quarter Moon (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), cost Desk Valet Co. $800K as a KEESEP yearling last year and with good reason. The February foal is a half-brother to G1SW Diamondsandrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) as well as You'll Be Mine (Kingmambo), dam of 2017 G3 Craven S. winner and G1 Irish Champion S. third Eminent (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Quarter Moon is a full-sister to champion Yesterday (Ire), a Group 1 winner in Ireland and placed at the highest level in England, France and America. B-Premier Bloodstock (KY)
11th-HSN, Hanshin Cup-G2, ¥128m ($1.13m), 3yo/up, 1400mT
One of the true progressive horses in all of Japan, MOZU ASCOT (c, 3, Frankel (GB)&log=">Frankel {GB}–India, by Hennessy) gets truly tested for class in this nominal Group 2 that has attracted a Group 1-quality bunch. A $275K KEESEP RNA, the flashy chestnut ran well when fourth in his first two trips to the post, but has since rattled off four straight, including victories over this distance at Tokyo Nov. 11 (video, gate 5) and from gate 15 at Kyoto Nov. 26 (video). Cristian Demuro takes the ride in a field that includes champion and G1SW Isla Bonita (Jpn) (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}) and Sungrazer (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who cuts back off a strong third in the G1 Mile Championship S. at Kyoto Nov. 19. B-Summer Wind Farm (KY)
Sunday, December 24, 2017
3rd-NKY, ¥9,550,000 ($84k), Maiden, 2yo, 1200m
SEIUN AKAMAI (f, 2, Animal Kingdom–Yachats, by Forest Camp) tries the dirt for the first time in her career, having finished a debut third over heavy Tokyo turf Oct. 29 (video, gate 4). She is bred for the surface switch, as her dam was stakes placed on the main track and is responsible for La Song (Unbridled's Song), Grade III-placed on all-weather. Her late granddam You'renotlistening (Kennedy Road) was a Grade III winner on dirt and bred MSW Your Bluffing (Pine Bluff) and MGSP Nacho Friend (Friends Lake). A $100K KEESEP yearling, Seiun Akamai fetched $220K at OBSAPR this past spring. B-Pollock Farms T & C Kentucky Inc & Arthur Maberry (KY)
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