By Alan Carasso
In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes 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 Kokura and Nakayama Racecourses:
Saturday, February 24, 2024
3rd-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m
OTANISAN (c, 3, Justify–American Song {Arg}, by Stripes Song {Arg}) is the first foal from his dam, a Group 1 winner in Argentina who was exported to the U.S. in 2019 and was covered by this Triple Crown winner the following season. Having produced this colt in Kentucky in early April 2021, the half-sister to dual Group 1 scorer Mystery Train (Arg) (Not For Sale {Arg}) was bred to American Pharoah prior to her export to Japan. She foaled a colt in April 2022 who fetched better than $509,000 when offered at the JRHA Select Sale just over three months later. B-Grand Bokujo (KY)
Nikkan Sports reports: “3yo OTANISAN (his name comes from Mr. O(h)tani ⚾?) (JUSTIFY 🇺🇸 ex the Stripes Song 🇺🇸 mare American Song 🇺🇸) is yet to make a debut. He worked five-furlongs on the wood chip track at MIHO Training Centre, timed in 65.8, the last 1F in 11.6.” https://t.co/mKBJztfkQc
— Katy (@InLuv_w_Horses) February 15, 2024
Sunday, February 25, 2024
1st-KOK, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
SING MY BLUES (c, 3, War Front–Solo Piano, by Empire Maker), a half-brother to British listed winner and Group 3-placed Purser (Mizzen Mast) and the stakes-placed Clavichord (Super Saver), is out of a daughter of 2001 GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Alabama S. winner Flute (Seattle Slew), also the dam of GSW & MGISP Filimbi (Mizzen Mast). Solo Piano is also kin to the dam of GSW Current (Curlin) and GISW Weep No More (Mineshaft)–dam of two winners in Japan–and cost $35,000 in foal to Flintshire (GB) at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale. B-Galteemore Bloodstock, Grouseridge Ltd & OPA Bloodstock (KY)
5th-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 3yo, 1600mT
SHIMAI (JPN) (f, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Lyrical Moment, by Unbridled's Song) was purchased for $190,000 in utero at the 2021 Keeneland January Sale and is out of a granddaughter of Be a Prospector (Mr. Prospector), whose multiple Grade III-winning daughter Away (Dixieland Band) was responsible for the ill-fated MGSW & GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles (Unbridled's Song). B-Mishima Bokujo
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