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 Sunday running at Kyoto and Niigata Racecourses, featuring a half-brother to a recent Eclipse Award winner and current Kentucky stallion:
2nd-NII, ¥9,680,000 ($92k), Maiden, 2yo, 1200m
SATONO APOLLON (JPN) (c, 2, Into Mischief–Final Decision, by Super Saver) debuted as a 5-1 chance over this track and distance July 25 and gave an excellent account of himself, finishing two lengths' second behind a winner that has since doubled up (see below, gate 3). The April foal is out of a half-sister to champion Informed Decision (Monarchos), who was purchased with this foal in utero for $425K at Fasig-Tipton November in 2017. Satono Apollon, an ¥80-million ($737,600) acquisition at last year's JRHA Select Sale, has a yearling half-sister by Heart's Cry (Jpn) and a weanling half-sister by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn). B-Northern Farm
9th-NII, ¥14,360,000 ($136k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1200m
BEST MAGIC (c, 4, Speightstown–Glinda the Good, by Hard Spun), a half-brother to champion and current Hill 'n' Dale stallion Good Magic (Curlin), posted three straight wide-margin successes at Nagoya on the National Association of Racing circuit over the winter, including a five-length success going 1600 meters in late March. A $200K Keeneland September yearling turned $700K OBS April breezer, the dark bay is kin to Good Magic's yearling full-brother, who fetched $800K at KEESEP last month. The MSW/GSP Glinda the Good is a half-sister to GSW & GISP Take the Ribbon (Chester House); SW Flash Forward (Curlin); SW & GSP Flash Mash (Smarty Jones); and SW Bright Magic (Prized). B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY)
12th-KYO, ¥21,000,000 ($199k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1400m
HARRY BAROWS (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Isobel Baillie {GB}, by Lomitas {GB}) has two wins and a third from three tries on the dirt, having most recently cleared his first allowance condition by an easy 3 1/2 lengths at Chukyo Sept. 12. A half-brother to turf MGSW Isabella Sings (Eskendereya), MSW & GSP Alaura Michelle (Arch) and SW Tobacco Road (Quality Road), Harry Barows was bought back on a bid of $275K at KEESEP in 2018, then realized $425K at OBSAPR last spring. B-Flaxman Holdings Limited & Airlie Stud (KY)
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
