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 Nakayama and Chukyo Racecourses:
Sunday, March, 17, 2024
2nd-CKO, ¥10,480,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400m
LA LA MONSTRE (c, 3, Mitole–Speightastic, by Speightstown), a $390,000 KEESEP acquisition, was unplaced in a couple of tries on the grass last November and switches to the dirt for his sophomore debut. The colt's dam, a full-sister to three-time stakes winner and Grade III-placed Bayerd, was purchased by Cove Springs for $65,000 at KEENOV in 2017, and her now 2-year-old colt by Not This Time was hammered down to Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm for $725,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. B-Cove Springs LLC (KY)
1st-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
AMERICAN RUNNER (c, 3, Gun Runner–Acqua Fresh (Uru), by Ecclesiastic) was a debut ninth going a mile over the Tokyo dirt last November but improved to be second with a stretch out to this trip at this venue Feb. 25. The January foal, a $125,000 Keeneland September purchase, is out of the Uruguayan champion 3-year-old filly of 2016 who changed hands for $45,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale. This is also the female family of Repent and Canadian champion King Ruckus. Christophe Lemaire has the call. B-Michael J Snyder & Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY)
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