Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: Jan. 25, 2020

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 are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Kokura, Kyoto and Nakayama Racecourses:

Saturday, January 25, 2020
1st-KOK, ¥9,680,000 ($88k), Maiden, 3yo, 1000m
ISSHIN (c, 3, Take Charge Indy–Appealing Stella, by Closing Argument) made a favorable impression in his lone racetrack appearance to date, finishing third in a newcomers' event over 1200 meters at Hanshin Dec. 14 (video, gate 3). A $15K Keeneland November weanling, Isshin was bought back on a bid of $32K at KEESEP the following fall, but fetched $100K at last year's OBS March Sale after breezing an eighth in :9 4/5. B-Stonecliff Farm (FL)

6th-KYO, ¥11,400,000 ($104k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m
ASWAN SUNSET (f, 3, Pioneerof the Nile–Evening Jewel, by Northern Afleet) is a son of the 2010 GI Ashland S. (synthetic) and GI Del Mar Oaks (turf) winner who was one of the unluckiest losers of the GI Kentucky Oaks when nosed out by Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision). Evening Jewel was acquired for $950K at KEENOV in 2016 and foaled Aswan Sunset in Kentucky last February before visiting American Pharoah. Only then was she exported to Japan and she produced a filly by the Triple Crown hero in 2018. Dam of a Deep Impact colt of 2019, Evening Jewel was most recently covered by Shadai's 2015 G1 Tokyo Yushun hero Duramente (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). B-Teruya Yoshida (KY)

UNSAID VOW (c, 3, Giant's Causeway–Country Cafe, by Lion Heart), a $110K KEESEP graduate, is out of an unraced daughter of GSP Pretty 'n Smart (Beau Genius), the dam of GISW and Coolmore stallion Cupid (Tapit); of GSWs Heart Ashley (Lion Heart) and Ashley's Kitten (Tale of the Cat); and of SW Indianapolis (Medaglia d'Oro). Pretty 'n Smart is also the granddam of Japanese GSW Fiano Romano (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Australian GSP Ameristralia (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). B-Mike G Rutherford (KY)

9th-NKY, ¥19,510,000 ($179k), Allowance, 3yo, 1800m
SEATTLE TESORO (c, 3, Will Take Charge–Baylor's Babe, by Southern Image) was crunched into 13-10 favoritism for his Nov. 30 debut over course and distance and fought his way to a neck success (see below, gate 13). A $110K KEESEP acquisition, the Mar. 25 foal is out of a winning half-sister to GSW Unbridled Energy (Unbridled's Song) and MGSP No Armistice (Unbridled) from the same sire line; as well as GSP Bick (Manila). B-John Cummins (KY)