Malibu Moon Filly Makes Group Debut at HQ

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 Tokyo Racecourse:

Saturday, January 27, 2024
4th-TOK, ¥14,880,000 ($101k), Allowance, 3yo, 1600m
SONIC STAR (c, 3, Into Mischief–Carolina Bertie, by Speightstown), a $300,000 Keeneland September purchase by Katsumi Yoshida, was a handy winner of his 1800-meter debut at Hanshin Sept. 24 and was last seen finishing 11th behind the talented Amante Bianco (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) in the Cattleya S., the first race on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, going this course and distance Nov. 25. The dark bay is out of an unraced daughter of Bashful Bertie (Quiet American), a full-sister to MGSW Allamerican Bertie and the dam of US MGISW turf star Beach Patrol (Lemon Drop Kid), who now stands in Japan. B-Nancy C Shuford (KY)

Sunday, January 28, 2024
11th-TOK, Negishi S.-G3, ¥76m ($516k), 3yo/up, 1400m
PARAIBA TOURMALINE (f, 4, Malibu Moon–Private Jet, by Smart Strike) won two of her first three tries at a mile over this surface to begin her career prior to taking the Listed Kanto Oaks over an extended mile and a quarter (2100m) at NAR Kawasaki last June. She was not beaten far in two subsequent tries at stakes level and cuts back to the shortest distance of her career for this first go in group company. Stonestreet acquired the filly's dam, a full-sister to two-time Eclipse Award winner Lookin At Lucky and a half to MGSW Kensei (Mr. Greeley) and GSW 'TDN Rising Star' Shahama (Munnings), for $360,000 in foal to Constitution at Keeneland November in 2016. Paraiba Tourmaline was led out unsold on a bid of $70,000 at Keeneland September in 2021, but fetched $450,000 from Katsumi Yoshida at the OBS March Sale the following spring. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY)