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 Tokyo Racecourses. The final legs of this year's Triple Crown are slated for the next couple of weekends, with Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) going for the sweep in Sunday's 2000-meter G1 Shuka Sho at Hanshin:
Saturday, October 15, 2022
5th-HSN, ¥13,400,000 ($91k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT
AIM IN LIFE (f, 2, Kitten's Joy–Elisheva, by Smart Strike) is the recipient of a major recent pedigree update, as her dam is a daughter of champion Believe (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), whose son Gendarme (Kitten's Joy)–a debut winner over this course and distance before landing a Group 2 five years ago–caused an upset in the G1 Sprinters' S. at Nakayama less than two weeks ago. Believe is also the dam of MSW & G1SP Faridat (Kingmambo) and SW/GSP Fiducia (Medaglia d'Oro). B-North Hills Co Limited (KY)
9th-TOK, ¥19,530,000 ($133k), Allowance, 2yo, 1600m
SATONO MISCHIEF (JPN) (c, 2, Into Mischief–Play Pretty, by Indian Charlie) finished seventh of nine going a mile on turf in his career bow back in June, but unsurprisingly turned it around when tried on the dirt for the first time, graduating by six lengths at Sapporo Aug. 7 (video, SC 11). Play Pretty, a half-sister to GI Preakness S. hero Shackleford (Forestry), GISW Lady Joanne (Orientate) and MGSWs Baghdaria (Royal Academy) and Afleeting Lady (Afleet Alex), was purchased by Shadai Farm with this colt in utero for $750,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. B-Shadai Farm
Sunday, October 16, 2022
4th-TOK, ¥13,400,000 ($91k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600m
CITY OF HUNTER (f, 2, City of Light–War Tigress, by War Chant), a $90,000 purchase out of last year's Keeneland September Sale, is out of a stakes-winning dam who is responsible for GIII San Clemente S. victress War Heroine (Lonhro {Aus}) as well as three-time Japanese winner Washington Tesoro (Curlin). Among her freshman sire (by Quality Road)'s eight winners is the Breeders' Cup-bound Chop Chop, recent runner-up in the GI Darley Alcibiades S. B-Waymore LLC (KY)
AFTERNOON DRESS (f, 2, Bernardini–Beautify, by Lemon Drop Kid) is the first foal from her dam, a daughter of two-time Eclipse Award and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine Ashado (Saint Ballado), who famously sold to Godolphin for $9 million to top the 2005 Keeneland November Sale. Ashado is a full-sister to the late GISW Sunriver and GSW Saint Stephen. B-Godolphin (KY)
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