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 Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses, with good US-bred representation in Group 1 events:
Saturday, May 6, 2017
6th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 (US$122k), Alw, 3yo, 1200m
OLD BAILEY (c, 3, To Honor and Serve–Passion du Coeur, by Distorted Humor) was bet all the way down to 5-2 for his Nov. 6 debut at Tokyo and overcame the 16 hole to post a neck success (video). The $220K FTSAUG purchase makes his first start since failing to finish the course at Nakayama Jan. 22, but retains the services of Christophe Lemaire and should prove tough. Old Bailey's stakes-winning second dam, Arianna's Passion (Unbridled's Song), produced MSW & MGSP Distorted Passion (Distorted Humor), herself the dam of MGSW & GISP Mrs McDougal (Medaglia d'Oro). B-Elm Tree Farm LLC (KY)
11th-KYO, Kyoto Shimbun Hai-G2, ¥103m (US$920k), 3yo, 2200mT
KAKERU TESORO (c, 3, Mizzen Mast–Storidawn, by Hennessy), third from two starts on turf to begain his career, has since won back-to-back races since switching to the dirt, including a victory over 1800m at Hanshin Mar. 5 (video, gate 1). Casse Sales consigned the gray to last year's OBSMAR sale, where he fetched $250K, top price of 24 to sell by this sire in 2016. B-Rosecrest Farm (KY)
Sunday, May 7
5th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 (US$122k), 3yo, 1600m
In her lone previous racetrack appearance, RABBIT RUN (f, 3, Tapit–Amelia, by Dixieland Band) was seen running off to graduate by seven lengths with Mickael Barzalona at the controls in a 1400m maiden at Kyoto Nov. 26 (video, gate 7). It's back to the races Sunday for the $750K KEESEP graduate, whose half-siblings include GSW & GISP Rainha da Bateria (Broken Vow), GSW & GISP Kindergarden Kid (Dynaformer), GSW Assateague (Stormy Atlantic) and full-brother GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up He's Had Enough. Rabbit Run's second dam includes Bayern, while blue-hen Courtly Dee (Never Bend) features as her third dam. The latter's champion daughter Althea (Alydar) produced Japanese champ Yamanin Paradise (Danzig). This is also the esteemed female family of Green Desert, the late Arch and Twining, who tasted some success as a sire in Japan. B-Alexander Groves Matz LLC (KY)
11th-TOK, NHK Mile Cup-G1, ¥180m (US$1.6m), 3yo, 1600mT
New York-bred RIENO TESORO (f, 3, Speightstown–Akilina, by Langfuhr) won each of her four starts last season, two on the turf and a pair on dirt, including a handy defeat of juvenile males in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun (1600m) at Kawasaki Dec. 14. Returned to the turf for her sophomore debut, the half-sister to SW & MGSP Governor Malibu (Malibu Moon) gave a good account of herself in the Listed Anemone S. Mar. 11, finishing a close fourth. The $250K FTSAUG graduate faces a full field including 'TDN Rising Star' Mi Suerte (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}-Mi Sueno). B-Oak Bluff Stable (NY)
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