Half-Sister To GISW Paris Lights Debuts at Kyoto

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 Kyoto and Niigata Racecourses. The weekend feature takes place at Tokyo on Sunday, when Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) returns to action in defense of his title in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) against a top field. Read Heather Anderson's preview here:

Saturday, October 28, 2023
4th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 ($92k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m
PARIS PLAGES (f, 2, Uncle Mo–Paris Bikini, by Bernardini), a half-sister to 2020 GI Coaching Club American Oaks winner Paris Lights (Curlin), was acquired in utero by Katsumi Yoshida for $1.95 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale and Paris Bikini produced this filly Feb. 17, 2021 before being exported to Japan in foal to American Pharoah. Paris Bikini is a daughter of SP Lacadena (Nureyev), herself the dam of GSW & MGISP America (A.P. Indy), who was bought back for $3.1 million in foal to Uncle Mo at FTKNOV in 2019. America is the dam of MGSW/GISP 'TDN Rising Star' First Captain (Curlin). Third dam Butterfly Blue (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) was a half-sister to Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister). B-Northern Racing (KY)

AMERICAN MARCH (c, 2, Cajun Breeze–Goldminer's Dream, by Distorted Humor) becomes his sire's first offspring to race in Japan, having been purchased by Yoshizawa Stable for $100,000 at this year's OBS March Sale (under-tack preview). The Florida-bred is out of an unraced daughter of SW Quite a Ruckus (Richter Scale) and his third dam was responsible for GSW and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Excaper (Exchange Rate). Joao Moreira has the riding assignment. B-Tom McCrocklin (FL)

Sunday, October 29, 2023
2nd-NII, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 2yo, 1200m
GRAN ORCA (c, 2, Liam's Map–Layla, by Union Rags) looks to improve on his Sept. 24 debut in the slop at Nakayama, where he found only the well-meant Historiai (Liam's Map) too strong in the finish (see below, SC 7). Produced by a winning full-sister to GISW Express Train, the joint most-expensive of 58 of his sire's progeny to sell in 2022 (75 ring). Gran Orca's third dam was 1992 GI Alabama S. heroine November Snow (Storm Cat). B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY)