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 Tokyo Racecourses. Headquarters plays host to a G1 Japan Cup for the ages with Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) against undefeated Triple Crown winners Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) Sunday, and the first race on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Cattleya S. (allowance), Saturday:
Saturday, November 28, 2020
1st-HSN, ¥9,680,000 ($93k), Maiden, 2yo, 1800m
FRANCE GO DE INA (c, 2, Will Take Charge–Dreamy Blues, by Curlin) stretches out to a route of ground for the first time, having debuted with a sound fourth-place effort behind Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid, see below) in a newcomers' event over 1300 meters at this venue Nov. 7 (gate 14). A $100K Keeneland September purchase, the Mar. 1 foal is out of a half-sister to GSW Shawklit Mint (Air Forbes Won), while MGSW Crafty Shaw (Crafty Prospector) appears under his third dam. B-Betz, Kidder, B & K Canetti, Jim Betz (KY)
9th-TOK, Cattleya S. (Alw), ¥30,400,000 ($291k), 3yo, 1600m
LEMON POP (c, 2, Lemon Drop Kid–Unreachable, by Giant's Causeway) looks to build on a three-length debut success in the aforementioned newcomers' test going three-sixteenths of a mile shorter three weekends ago (see below, gate 10) in this first of four races on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Godolphin colorbearer, a $70K acquisition out of last year's KEESEP sale, was produced by an unraced daughter of five-time GSW Harpia (Danzig), a full-sister to the legendary Danehill, MGSW Shibboleth and GSW Eagle Eyed. Another full-sister to Harpia–Family–bred European GSW, Hong Kong SW and UAE Group 3-placed Dundonnell (First Defence). B-Mr & Mrs Oliver S Tait (KY)
Sunday, November 29, 2020
6th-HSN, ¥13,400,000 ($128k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT
PREFERRED RUN (f, 2, Mshawish–Little Miss Muffet, by Scat Daddy) is set to become the fourth foal to race from her dam, a half-sister to MSP Emma Darling (Hennessy) who has also accounted for connections' Lotus Land (Point of Entry), a debut winner at two who ran future G1SW Lauda Sion (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}) to a neck in her second career start and just missed when last seen on the track in May. This is the extended female family of US champion juvenile colt Brocco (Kris S.). B-Winchester Farm
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