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:
Saturday, February 25, 2023
1st-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($78k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
KEEP SMILING (JPN) (f, 3, Quality Road–Weep No More, by Mineshaft) turned in an auspicious debut over this course and distance Dec. 17, sitting an inside trip before hitting the line strongly to be a sound second (see below, SC 4). The bay is the second foal from her dam, upset winner of the GI Central Bank Ashland S. in 2016 who was acquired privately after producing a War Front filly in 2019. Weep No More, a half-sister to Grade III winner Current and to the dam of the stakes-winning Half Is Enough (Frosted), is also responsible for a 2-year-old colt by the late Duramente (Jpn) that sold for better than $735,000 at last year's JRHA Select Sale. Keep Smiling's third dam is 2001 GI Kentucky Oaks winner Flute (Seattle Slew). B-Northern Farm
Sunday, February 26, 2023
2nd-HSN, ¥10,480,000 ($78k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
MYSTIC LORE (c, 3, Arrogate–Folklore, by Tiznow) cost DMM Dream Club Co. a half-million dollars at Keeneland September in 2021, and the fact the colt would appeal to Japanese interests is not surprising. Folklore, the champion of her generation and winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2005 for Bob and Beverly Lewis, is a half-sister to Rhodochrosite–by Arrogate's sire Unbridled's Song–whose place in the annals of Japanese racing is secure via the exploits of Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Folklore's Grade III-placed half-sister Delightful Quality (Elusive Quality) produced two-time Eclipse Award and four-time Grade I winner Essential Quality (Tapit). B-Lewis Thoroughbred Breeding LLC (KY)
#ミスティックロア が
2月26日(日) 阪神競馬場
第2レース 3歳未勝利
(ダート1800m、10:30発走)でデビューします！デビュー戦の前にスペシャル動画をぜひご覧ください！
DMM バヌーシー#BanusySpecialMovie pic.twitter.com/DgpJFqA1oj
— 【公式】DMM BANUSY(DMM バヌーシー) (@dmm_banusy) February 23, 2023
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