Notable US-Bred & -Sired Runners in Japan: March 20 & 21, 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 Chukyo and Hanshin Racecourses:

Saturday, March 20, 2021
1st-CKO, ¥9,680,000 ($89k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
NEFERTARI (JPN) (f, 3, American Pharoah–What a Spot, by Arch) finished a close third on career debut going this trip at Hanshin Nov. 22 (video, gate 8) and was a midfield eighth when last seen over that track and distance Dec. 20. The late April foal is out of a winning half-sister to GISWs Coil (Point Given) and Chiropractor (Kitten's Joy); MGSP Decorating (Galileo {Ire}); and MSP Ellyb (Pioneerof the Nile) and was acquired in utero for $225K at the 2017 Keeneland November sale. The filly's third dam produced champion Possibly Perfect (Northern Baby). Christophe Lemaire has the call. B-Hattori Bokujo

11th-HSN, Wakaba S.-Listed, ¥38m ($349k), 3yo, 2000mT
AMERICAN MACH (c, 3, Kitten's Joy–Cat On a Tin Roof, by Catienus) failed to handle the local dirt track in a pair of starts at this venue late last year, but has–not surprisingly–gone much better on the grass, including a near-miss second over the course and distance Feb. 28 (see below, gate 10), enough to earn a green light for this test as a four-start maiden. The $310K KEESEP acquisition is a full-brother to SW Sniper Kitten and is out of a full-sister to MSW and English G1SP Cannonball. The female family inclides GSW/GISP Emotional Kitten (Kitten's Joy) and MSW & GISP Unspoken Word (Catienus). B-Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey (KY)

Sunday, March 21, 2021
3rd-HSN, ¥9,680,000 ($89k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
ROSE EMPEROR (c, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Arch Support, by Arch) has one previous start to his credit, a strong runner-up effort over this track and distance on debut Feb. 14 (see below, gate 10). A $220K KEESEP RNA turned $350K OBS March breezer (:10 1/5), the dark bay colt is out this breeder's Arch Support, runner-up to the exceptional Winter Memories (El Prado {Ire}) in the 2010 GIII Miss Grillo S. on the Belmont Park turf course. Yutaka Take sees fit to ride. B-Lee Pokoik (KY)