Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: March 1, 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 Chukyo and Hakodate Racecourses:

Sunday, March 1, 2020
2nd-HSN, ¥9,680,000 ($88k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
UNBOUNDED (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Undercover Justice, by Lawyer Ron) was well-beaten–as was everything else–by the very impressive A Shin Amen Ra (American Pharoah) on his course-and-distance debut Dec. 7, but has finished second and third, respectively, in Kyoto maidens over nine and 9 1/2 furlongs since. Acquired in utero for $300K at Keeneland November in 2016 and subsequently sold for $400K as a KEESEP yearling two years later, Unbounded is a full-brother to the GSP Conquest Babygaga and a half to Sorrentina Lemon (Lemon Drop Kid) and is out of an unplaced half-sister to GISW Negligee (Northern Afleet). B-Bill Justice (KY)

3rd-CKO, ¥9,680,000 ($88k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m
PRECIOUS GIRL (f, 3, Speightstown–Pressurizing, by Henrythenavigator) ran on gamely in the final 200 meters, but was no match for the dominating Lecce Baroque (Uncle Mo) in a 1400-meter newcomers' event at Tokyo Feb. 8 (see below, gate 12). A $375K purchase as a weanling out of the 2017 Fasig-Tipton November sale, the dark bay-who was foaled Mar. 2-is out of an unraced daughter of Vertigineux (Kris S.), dam of Horse of the Year and three-time champion older mare Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}) as well as MGISW Balance (Thunder Gulch) and SW Where's Bailey (Aljabr). Among the competition Sunday is Primo d'Arc (Bernardini), who has finished second twice in two starts to date. Speightstown is the sire of 26 winners from his 32 Japanese starters. B-Gilgai Farm (KY)