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, with all the focus on Chukyo Racecourse:
Saturday, March 13, 2021
6th-CKO, ¥14,360,000 ($132k), Allowance, 4yo/up, 1400m
VALKYRJA (JPN) (f, 4, Tapit–Peace and War, by War Front) makes her first appearance in 13 months, having broken her maiden in her lone trip to the post going this trip at Kyoto last February. The bay is the first foal from her dam, upset winner of the 2014 GI Darley Alcibiades S., who was sold with this filly in utero for $1.45 million at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale. Peace and War is a half-sister to the dam of 2020 GIII Pat Day Mile hero Rushie (Liam's Map). B-Northern Racing
10th-CKO, ¥34,600,000 ($319k), Allowance, 3yo, 1400m
SATONO MUSTANG (c, 3, Mineshaft–Mare and Cher, by Old Fashioned), a half-brother to SW Cruise and Danze (Danza), carries a two-race winning streak into this test, including a very game allowance score at Tokyo Feb. 7 (see below, gate 6). The $25K KEESEP yearling turned $150K OBS March breezer, whose dam is a half-sister to SW & GSP Fight On (Into Mischief), bypassed the Listed Hyacinth S. Feb. 21 and looks to continue his winning ways here. B-Haymarket Farm LLC (KY)
IRISH SENSE (c, 3, Quality Road–Miss Singhsix {Ire}, by Singspiel {Ire}), a $125K KEESEP acquisition, just missed on Kyoto debut last Nov. 1 and makes his first start since graduating narrowly going this distance at Hanshin Dec. 13 (see below, gate 10). Miss Singhsix, winner of the GIII Obeah S. during her racing days, is a half-sister to SW & GSP Silver Lord (Unbridled's Song). B-Normandy Farm LLC (KY)
Sunday, March 14, 2021
6th-CKO, ¥13,830,000 ($127k), Allowance, 3yo, 1800m
COSMIC MIND (c, 3, Into Mischief–Mystical Star, by Ghostzapper) overcame a hellacious trip to take his career debut going this distance at Nakayama Jan. 17 (see below, gate 4) and is exiting a close fifth facing winners for the first time going the one-turn mile at Tokyo Feb. 14. The $280K KEESEP purchase is one of two winners from as many to race for his dam, winner of the GII New York S. and third in the GI Flower Bowl Invitational S. on the grass and second in a Polytrack renewal of the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY)
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