Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: Oct. 9, 2021

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. While no Group 1 racing is scheduled for the weekend, 'TDN Rising Star' Command Line (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}–Condo Commando) makes a much-anticipate second trip to the races in Saturday's G2 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup (1800mT) at headquarters:

Saturday, October 9, 2021
4th-TOK, ¥13,400,000 ($120k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600m
WORLD CONNECTOR (c, 2, Connect–Wild Hoots, by Unbridled's Song) was the most expensive of 29 of his sire (by Curlin)'s first-crop weanlings (38 ring) to sell in 2019, hammering for $250K at Keeneland November and was a $285K buyback at last year's Fasig-Tipton Selected Sale. The March foal would go on to fetch $410K at FTFMAR after breezing a furlong in :10 1/5 (see below). A half-brother to SW & GISP Savings Account (Medaglia d'Oro)), the gray is out of a SW & GSP full-sister to GISW Buddha and out of a half to the dam of MSW Road Ready (More Than Ready) and 2008 GI Darley Alcibiades S. runner-up Be Smart (Smarty Jones). Wild Hoots was the top-selling short yearling at KEEJAN in 2005 when Dell Ridge signed the winning ticket at $900K. B-Dell Ridge Farm LLC (KY)

6th-HSN, ¥13,400,000 ($120k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
CHARITABLE THOUGHT (c, 2, Nyquist–Relaxing Green, by Formal Gold), a $335K purchase as a weanling by Harry Sweeney's Paca Paca Farm at FTKNOV in 2019, looks to become the 10th winner from as many to race from his dam, whose produce include GISW Marley's Freedom (Blame), SW Noble Charlotte (Include) and the dam of SW Noble Commander (Forestry). The Godolphin colorbearer is out of a half-sister to GSW Mythical Gem (Jade Hunter) and SW/MGSP Apple Charlotte (Smart Strike), the dam of MGSP Lottie (Arch). This is also the female family of GISW Noble Bird (Birdstone). B-Jack Swain III (KY)

JASPER GREAT (c, 2, Arrogate–Shop Again, by Wild Again), a $200K acquisition by trainer Hideyuki Mori at FTKSEL last September, is a half-brother to Grade I-winning juvenile Power Broker (Pulpit); SW Fierce Boots (Tiznow), the dam of GSP Portos (Tapit); and SP Smart Shopping (Smart Strike), whose yearling daughter by Uncle Mo made $435K at FTSAUG this summer. The stakes-winning Shop Again is a half-sister to GISW Miss Shop (Deputy Minister), the dam of MGSW Tin Type Gal (Tapit); GSW & MGISP Trappe Shot (Tapit); and SW & GSP Bought In Dixie (Dixieland Band). B-Jamm Ltd (KY)

7th-TOK, ¥14,360,000 ($129k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 2100m
YUINO ZAPPER (c, 3, Ghostzapper–Baruta {Brz}, by Crimson Tide {Ire}), a $180K KEESEP graduate, was sixth in a single appearance at two and filled the same spot on his sophomore debut before breaking his maiden over this track and distance when last seen May 1. His dam, twice Group 1-placed in Brazil, won the 2015 GIII Sen. Ken Maddy S. down the hill at Santa Anita and was runner-up to the late 'TDN Rising Star' Taris (Flatter) in that year's GIII Rancho Bernardo H. on the dirt. These breeders are to be represented by both defending champ Ivar (Brz) (Agnes Gold {Jpn}) and last-out TVG S. winner In Love (Brz) (Agnes Gold {Jpn}) in Saturday's GI Keeneland Turf Mile. B-Bonne Chance Farm & Stud RDI (KY)