By Alan Carasso
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 Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses. While much of the local focus will be on the 14 runners entered across the four races that comprise the Longines Hong Kong International Races, Sunday's action at home includes the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies:
Saturday, December 10, 2022
6th-NKY, ¥13,400,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
LAP STAR (c, 2, Justify–Guest Suite, by Ghostapper) looks to give his first-crop sire (by Scat Daddy) a winner on the competitive JRA circuit for the third week running. A $400,000 Keeneland September acquisition by trainer Hideyuki Mori on behalf of owner Susumu Fujita, the Feb. 5 foal is a half-brother to GIII Lecomte S. winner Guest House (Quality Road). The dark bay colt is out of a winning daughter of Grade III winner Welcome Surprise (Seeking the Gold), who sadly passed away this year, and the third dam includes the likes of A.P. Indy, Summer Squall and Court Vision. This is also the family of this year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies third Raging Sea (Curlin). B-Hartmut H Malluche & Silesia Farm (KY)
Sunday, December 11, 2022
4th-HSN, ¥13,400,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
DONA SWEAT (f, 2, Justify–No Sweat, by Blame) is the first foal out of her twice stakes-placed dam, who was purchased by Ashview Farm for $300,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November sale before visiting this stallion for her first covering. A $425,000 graduate of last year's KEESEP sale, Dona Sweat is a granddaughter of MSW & MGSP Coolwind (Forest Wildcat), herself the dam of GIII Iowa Derby winner Looking Cool (Candy Ride {Arg}). The filly's third dam is Grade III heroine Scoop (Gone West). B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY)
11th-HSN, HSN Juvenile Fillies-G1, ¥123m ($903k), 2yo, f, 1600mT
AIM IN LIFE (f, 2, Kitten's Joy–Elisheva, by Smart Strike) debuted victoriously over course and distance Oct. 15 (video, SC 2) and gave a solid account of herself when sixth facing winners for the first time Nov. 27. The North Hills homebred is the first produce from her dam, a daughter of champion Believe (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), whose G1 Sprinters' S.-winning son Gendarme (Kitten's Joy) breaks from the eight hole in Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. Believe is also responsible for MSW & G1SP Faridat (Kingmambo) and SW/GSP Fiducia (Medaglia d'Oro). B-North Hills Co Limited (KY)
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