By Heather Anderson
In this ongoing series, Heather Anderson subs for Alan Carasso and 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 and Kyoto Racecourses.
Saturday, Apr. 21, 2018
11th-TOK, ¥41,800,000 (US$417k), Open (Oasis S.), 4yo/up, 1600m
DREAM KIRARI (h, 6, Giant's Causeway–Truant, by Gone West), third in the G3 Elm S. last term, steps up in trip after a third going 1400 metres in the Listed Coral S. at Hanshin behind fellow US-bred and 2016 G1 February S. hero Moanin (Henny Hughes) on Mar. 31. Out of a half-sister to European highweights Bosra Sham (Woodman) and Hector Protector (Woodman), as well as French Classic victor Shanghai (Procida), the entire was purchased for $250,000 back in 2013 during the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. B-Colts Neck Stables LLC (KY)
2nd-KYO, ¥9,550,000 (US$89k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400m
AMERICAN DOMINGO (f, 3, Scat Daddy–Queen of The Night, by Sadler's Wells) was 10th over the Hanshin sod when unveiled on Dec. 9, but was a much-improved fourth switched to Chukyo over this trip Mar. 25. Trying dirt for the first time on Saturday, the $160,000 KEESEP yearling is from the same family as international champion Falbrav (Ire) (Fairy King), as her placed dam was a half-sister to the six-time Group 1 winner. B-Queen Of The Night Syndicate (KY).
Sunday, Apr. 22, 2018
10th-KYO, ¥34,620,000 (US$322,364), Allowance, 4yo/up, 1900m
SOLEIL DE PARIS (c, 4, Lemon Drop Kid–Chatham, by Maria's Mon) already sports three wins from seven starts, and was successful over the Nakayama main going 1800 metres on Jan. 14. Making his second 4-year-old appearance, the $535,000 KEESEP yearling shares his MSP dam Chatham (Maria's Mon) with European juvenile highweight Air Force Blue (War Front), while champion juvenile filly Flanders (Seeking the Gold) is nested under his third dam, the winning Starlet Storm (Storm Bird). B-Stone Farm (KY).
11th-KYO, ¥112,800,000 (US$1,050,500), G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup, 4yo/up, 1600mT
DASHING BLAZE (h, 6, Kitten's Joy–Blazing Bliss, by Honour and Glory) scored his first group win in the G3 Epsom Cup at Tokyo last June, but ran respectably when fourth in the G3 Kokura Daishoten in his 6-year-old bow on Feb. 8. Originally a $65,000 KEESEP yearling, the full-brother to SP Honor the Kitten bloomed into a $400,000 OBSAPR juvenile and dropped a spot most recently in the Mar. 11 G2 Kinko Sho to subsequent G1Osaka Hai hero Suave Richard (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). Another U.S.-bred of interest is Mozu Ascot (c, 4, Frankel%20(GB)&log=#tot">Frankel {GB}–India, by Hennessy), a son of European superstar Frankel (GB), who has enjoyed such a good start to his second career. From the family of Grade I winners To Honor And Serve (Bernardini) and Angela Renee (Bernardini), the half-brother to SW Kareena (Medaglia d'Oro) was an encouraging second last out in the G3 Hankyu Cup on Feb. 25. B-Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey (KY) for Dashing Blaze & B- Summer Wind Farm (KY) for Mozu Ascot.
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