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 Chukyo and Tokyo Racecourses. Sunday's headliner at headquarters is the G3 Negishi S. over 1400 meters, the local lead-up into the G1 February S. going a mile on Feb. 19. The talented Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) leads a four-pronged US-bred assault on the Negishi S.:
Saturday, January 8, 2023
4th-CKO, ¥11,850,000, Newcomers, 3yo, 1400m
MOZU AKABOSU (c, 3, Quality Road–India, by Hennessy) is the latest to the races out of his dual graded-stakes winning dam, whose son Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}) was a dual-surface Group 1 winner in Japan, having taken out the Yasuda Kinen at a mile on turf and the February S. on the dirt (see below). The Feb. 18 foal is also kin to SW 'TDN Rising Star' Kareena (Medaglia d'Oro), dam of recent Cash Run S. runner-up Padma (Tapit). India's stakes-winning half-sister Pilfer (Deputy Minister) is an outstanding producer in her own right, having accounted for MGISW To Honor and Serve (Bernardini); the latter's Grade I-winning full-sister Angela Renee; and SW & GISP Elnaawi (Street Sense). Also engaged are Lambent Light (Hard Spun), produced by a Keeneland-sourced half-sister to Japanese dirt demon Espoir City (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}); and Hosho Rusty (Goldencents); a half-sister to SW and recent Keeneland November HORA grad Liam's Dove (Liam's Map). B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY)
4th-TOK, ¥11,850,000, Allowance, 3yo, 1600m
PARAIBA TOURMALINE (f, 3, Malibu Moon–Private Jet, by Smart Strike) was pounded down to 4-5 favoritism for her Oct. 30 debut over this course and distance and made no mistakes, kicking home a five-length winner (see below, SC 5). The Mar. 1 foal is out of a full-sister to two-time Eclipse Award and five-time Grade I winner Lookin At Lucky and a half to MGSW Kensei (Mr. Greeley) and multi-jurisdiction GSW 'TDN Rising Star' Shahama (Munnings). Bought back on a bid of $70,000 out of the 2021 Keeneland September sale, Paraiba Tourmaline was hammered down to Katsumi Yoshida for $450,000 at last year's OBS March Sale. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY)
6th-CKO, ¥14,880,000, Allowance, 3yo, 1400m
CELADONITE (JPN) (f, 3, Mendelssohn–Celadon, by Gold Halo {Jpn}) makes her second career to the races after opening her account with a smart 1 1/4-length graduation over this track and trip Sept. 24 (video, SC 10). The April-foaled bay, who carries the Silk Racing colors, is the second Japanese winner for her well-traveled dam, who is also responsible for the outstanding sprinter Copano Kicking (Spring At Last), a three-time winner at group level in Japan–including the 2019 Negishi S.–and a dramatic winner of the Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Saudi Cup night in 2021. B-Northern Racing
Sunday, January 29, 2023
6th-TOK, ¥11,500,000, Newcomers, 3yo, 1800mT
GUN WOLF (c, 3, Gun Runner–Loure, by A.P. Indy) is a half-brother to SW Do The Dance (Discreet Cat) and to Randonnee (Blame), a 3-year-old listed winner at this venue back in 2018, placed three times at group level and beaten just 3 1/2 lengths behind the legendary Almond Eye (Jpn) in the G1 Shuka Sho. A maternal grandson of French Group 3 winner Loving Pride (Quiet American), Gun Wolf hails from the extended family of Sovereign Award winner Negligee (Northern Afleet). Gun Runner is the sire of four winners from his six Japanese starters to date. B-Winchester Farm (KY)
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