Nakayama

Japan's road to the Classics shifted up a gear on Sunday with the victory of Nishino Agent (Jpn) (Isla Bonita {Jpn}) in the 2000-metre G3 Keisei Hai at Nakayama. Able to secure an ideal position against the fence, the eventual winner raced in the back third of the field, as Taisei Ricordo (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) and Ghardaia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) battled in the vanguard. Well in hand after six furlongs in 1:10.40, Nishino Agent charged up in between horses and earned several lucky breaks on the far turn. In...

In this continuing series, we take 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 Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, January 18, 2025 3rd-CKO, ¥11,850,000 ($76k), Newcomers, 3yo, f, 1400m TEMPESTARII (JPN) (f, 3, Authentic--Flying Tipat, by Tapit) is the first Japanese-foaled produce for her dam, a stakes-placed full-sister to dual Grade I winner Tapitsfly....

In this continuing series, we take 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 extended weekend running at Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, January 11, 2025 3rd-CKO, ¥11,850,000 ($75k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m QUEEN'S CHOCOLAT (JPN) (f, 3, Tiz the Law--Ahh Chocolate, by Candy Ride {Arg}) is the first Japanese-foaled produce for her dam, a two-time graded winner...

Croix Du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) maintained his unbeaten record with a two-length victory in the G1 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama on Saturday. The heavy 4-5 favourite defeated Giovanni (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who was 1 1/4 lengths to the good of 302-1 longshot Faust Rasen (Jpn) (Mozu Ascot). Fairly keen through the first turn, the dark bay settled in seventh behind Jun Asahi Sora (Jpn) (Isla Bonita {Jpn}) and Jet Magnum (Jpn) (Henry Barows {Jpn}), who battled through fractions of :23.70, :48.70, and 1:13.40. Swooping up into third entering...

In this continuing series, we take 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 Saturday running at Nakayama Racecourse: Saturday, December 28, 2024 5th-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($87k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT SPARKLE NOVA (JPN) (f, 2, Authentic--Magic Fountain, by War Front) is the second foal to the races out of a daughter of 2014 G1 Darley Irish Oaks winner...

A full field of 18 juveniles heads to the post for the final Group 1 event on the JRA calendar, Saturday's Hopeful Stakes over the metric mile and a quarter at Nakayama Racecourse. And the entrants will be looking to join an honour roll that includes the likes of future luminaries such as Epiphaneia (Jpn), Rey de Oro (Jpn), Saturnalia (Jpn) and Contrail (Jpn), who would go on to secure the Triple Crown the following season. As recently as last weekend, the Hopeful form received the best kind of advertisement...

Let go at odds of 28-1 while looking to collect his first victory at the highest level, Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) came from just off the pace to take Sunday's G1 Sprinter Stakes at Nakayama. Cruising in a ground-saving spot just behind a free-running Puro Magic (Jpn) (Asia Express {Jpn}) with Win Greatest (Jpn) (Secret Hero {Jpn}) within striking distance, Lugal overtook the latter straightening for home and closed the leader's advantage passing the 200-meter mark. Hitting the front late, the 4-year-old had enough left in reserve to hold off...

Japanese Group 1 racing resumes on Sunday with the 1200-metre Sprinters Stakes, and last year's winner, Mama Cocha (Jpn) (Kurofune), is ready to defend her title. Receiving four pounds versus the majority of the field, the mare finished her season with a fifth to Win Marvel (Jpn) () in the G2 Hanshin Cup upped to 1400 metres in December. Unable to land a telling blow when eighth to Mad Cool (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the 1200-metre G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in soft going at Chukyo in her 5-year-old bow, Mama...

In this continuing series, we take 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 Sunday running at Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses: Sunday, September 29, 2024 3rd-CKO, ¥13,720,000 ($96k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m AMERICAN BEACH (c, 2, American Pharoah--American Song {Arg}, by Stripes Song {Arg}) is the second foal from his dam, winner in Argentina of the G1 GP...

In this continuing series, we take 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 Saturday running at Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, September 28, 2024 4th-CKO, ¥13,720,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m GOLDEN KITE (c, 2, Tapit--L' Age d'Or, by Medaglia d'Oro), a $200,000 Keeneland September yearling last fall, breezed an eighth of a mile in :10 flat...

Ecoro Sieg (Twirling Candy), a smashing five-length debut winner when unveiled over 1200 meters at Niigata Aug. 17, remained perfect in two starts with a 2 1/2-length success at Nakayama Saturday, stopping the clock in 1:07.2. The final time shaved 0.6 seconds off the 2-year-old track record and was 0.3 faster than the Japanese record time for a 2-year-old at the distance. Sent off the 2-5 favorite with Christophe Lemaire once again at the controls for Hideyuki Mori, the $95,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $250,000 OBS March breezer was not...

In this continuing series, we take 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 Saturday running at Nakayama Racecourse: Saturday, September 21, 2024 9th-NKY, ¥30,400,000 ($213k), Allowance, 2yo, 1200mT ECORO SIEG (c, 2, Twirling Candy--Lily Pod, by Bernstein), whose Grade III-placed dam is also responsible for SP She's Got a Way (Tonalist), cost $95,000 at last year's...