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. Saturday's action is dotted with runners by Claiborne sires and also sees an exciting son of Justin Phillip attempt to take the next step while trying the grass for the first time. Sunday's US-bred runners in Japan will appear in Saturday's TDN:
Saturday, January 27, 2018
3rd-KYO, ¥11,400,000 ($105k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1200m
SHIVAJI (c, 3, First Samurai–Indian Bay, by Indian Charlie), a $90K KEESEP acquisition, caught the eye of many after breezing an eighth of a mile in :9 4/5 for last year's OBSAPR sale and was hammered down for $540K, easily the best of 12 juveniles for his sire sold in 2017. The March foal is a maternal grandson of GSW Buy the Barrel (E Dubai), the dam of MGSP Mise En Rose (War Front). B-Hinkle Farms (KY)
3rd-TOK, ¥11,400,000 ($105k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1600m
PRINCESS NONKO (JPN) (f, 3, Orb–Seaneen Girl, by Spring At Last) is the first produce for her dam, a $5K FTKOCT yearling who went on to win the 2012 GII Golden Rod S. and 2013 GIII Monmouth Oaks before being sold carrying this foal for $525K at KEENOV in 2014. Seaneen Girl's now 2-year-old colt by Heart's Cry (Jpn) fetched ¥92m ($807,760) as a yearling at the 2017 JRHA Select Sale. Top rider Christophe Lemaire has the debut assignment. B-Shadai Farm
7th-TOK, ¥13,400,000 ($123k), Allowance, 3yo, 1600m
Despite a pedigree that screams turf, GREAT SEAL (c, 3, War Front&log=">War Front–Quarter Moon {Ire}, by Sadler's Wells), an $800K KEESEP graduate, validated debut odds of 9-10 to take a 1400-meter debutants' event over the Hanshin main track Dec. 23 (video, gate 12). His dam, the Irish highweight 2-year-old filly of 1999, was a Group 1 winner at two and was runner-up in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and the G1 Epsom and Irish Oaks. Her daughter Diamondsandrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) won the G1 Pretty Polly S.m while G1SP You'll Be Mine (Kingmambo) is the dam of MGSW & G1SP Eminent (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Quarter Moon is a full-sister to 2003 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Yesterday (Ire). B-Premier Bloodstock (KY)
RAMSES BAROWS (c, 3, Curlin">Curlin–Devious Intent, by Dixie Union) was second on debut over soft Tokyo turf before switching to the main track for a convincing maiden victory over track and distance Nov. 11 (video, gate 6). A $425K KEESEP yearling and $350K OBSMAR purchase, the chestnut is out of a Grade III-winning half-sister to SP Virgil Caine (Dixieland Band) and also has the services of Lemaire. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY).
10th-TOK, ¥36,200,000 ($330k), Open Class, 3yo, 1400mT
RYONO TESORO (c, 3, Justin Phillip–Town Belle, by Speightstown) was runner-up to track record-setter Mr Melody (Scat Daddy) in what has become a key Tokyo maiden Nov. 4, but returned on two weeks' rest to graduate at that venue (video, gate 4) and added a Nakayama allowance Dec. 3 (video, gate 3). While the turf is a question mark, his second dam Clearly A Queen (Lucky North) was a two-time Grade III winner over the surface. A $45K KEENOV weanling, the bay was an $80K KEESEP acquisition and was successfully resold for $300K at last year's BARMAR sale. B-Highland Yard LLC (KY)
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