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 is one horse of interest for this weekend running Saturday at Hanshin Racecourse, while Sunday's program at Tokyo features the first Group 1 of the new year–the February S.–and the Listed Hyacinth S., with Kentucky Derby points on the line. Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) defends his title in the former, while a pair of US-breds take their chance in the Hyacinth:
Saturday, February 19, 2022
11th-HSN, Kyoto Himba S.-G3, ¥72m ($626k), 4/up, f/m, 1400mT
LOTUS LAND (m, 5, Point of Entry–Little Miss Muffet, by Scat Daddy) blossomed during her 4-year-old season in 2021, winning half of her eight starts, including the Listed Yonago S. in June and an 8-1 upset of the 1600-meter G3 Sekiya Kinen in August (see below, SC 6) to surpass $1 million in career earnings. Though she was 12th when last seen in the G1 Mile Championship at Kyoto in November, she was beaten just over five lengths and there will be nothing in this field near the quality of Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was successfully defending her title in her career swansong. B-Dr Aaron Sones & Dr Naoya Yoshida (KY)
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