High-Class Mares Represented By First Runners in Japan

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 Monday running at Chukyo Racecourse:

Monday, September 16, 2024
4th-CKO, ¥13,720,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m
DANON FIGO (JPN) (c, 2, Into Mischief–Ollie's Candy, by Candy Ride {Arg}) is the first foal from his dam, winner of the GII Summertime Oaks in 2018 and the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes the following year while placing an additional half-dozen times at the highest level on turf and dirt. K I Farm acquired Ollie's Candy for $1.65 million at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale and put her in foal to this perennial leading stallion prior to exporting her to Japan. She has since been covered twice by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), producing a filly this past January for her first Japanese-conceived foal. B-K I Farm

DON PASSIONE (JPN) (c, 2, Quality Road–Stormy Embrace, by Circular Quay) was purchased in utero for $600,000 at Keeneland November in 2021, foaled four months later and made $450,080 when offered at the 2023 JRHA Select Sale. Stormy Embrace was a two-time winner of the GII Princess Rooney Stakes among her nine overall wins and $719,000 in career earnings and originally sold to SF Bloodstock for $250,000 at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale. B-Lake Villa Farm