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 are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Hanshin and Sapporo Racecourses, including the first Japanese runner for Horse of the Year Gun Runner:
Saturday, June 19, 2021
11th-HSN, Yonago S.-Listed, ¥47.6m ($432k), 3yo/up, 1600mT
The progressive LOTUS LAND (f, 4, Point of Entry–Little Miss Muffet, by Scat Daddy) has finished in the exacta in six of her seven career trips to the post and enters this first black-type attempt on the back of consecutive victories at this track, a first-level allowance going this trip Mar. 28 and a soft win over nine furlongs when last seen Apr. 18 (see below, gate 4). Connections have opted for this spot over Sunday's G3 Mermaid S., a gender-restricted event at 2000 meters. B-Dr Aaron Sones & Dr Naoya Yoshida (KY)
Sunday, June 20, 2021
5th-SAP, ¥13,400,000 ($122k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT
GRAN APLAUSO (c, 2, Gun Runner–Fiducia, by Medaglia d'Oro) becomes the first Japanese starter for his freshman sire (by Candy Ride {Arg}) and is the first foal from his dam, a Japanese listed winner over six furlongs and a near-miss second in the G3 Ibis Summer Dash (1000m). Fiducia is a daughter of Japanese champion Believe (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), who is also responsible for connections' MSW & G1SP Faridat (Kingmambo) and GSW & G1SP Gendarme (Kitten's Joy). B-North Hills Co Limited (KY)
GRAN APLAUSO (Gun Runner x Fiducia, by Medaglia d'Oro) will debut in Japan (Sapporo) on Sunday, June 20!
The Weight for Age race is 5 furlongs / 1200m long and will start at 12:15 PM local time. Trainer is Mikio Matsunaga and the Jockey is Yutaka Take.#グランアプロウソ pic.twitter.com/QpQYJlGPPa— ⊱ Gun Runner ⊰ (@gunrunnersire) June 17, 2021
7th-HSN, ¥14,360,000 ($130k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1800m
ROSE EMPEROR (c, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Arch Support, by Arch) was bought back on a bid of $220K at the 2019 Keeneland September sale, but was hammered down for $350K at OBS March after breezing an eighth of a mile in :10 1/5. The late April foal is a veteran of two starts to date, both going this track and distance, including a runner-up effort on debut Feb. 14 before a narrow maiden victory Mar. 21 (see below, gate 7). Rose Emperor's dam was second in the 2010 GIII Miss Grillo S. for this breeder and trainer Gary Contessa. B-Lee Pokoik (KY)
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