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 Nakayama and Hanshin Racecourses, the latter of which plays host to the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S.:
Saturday, December 19, 2020
7th-HSN, ¥13,830,000 ($134k), Allowance, 2yo, 1800m
FRANCE GO DE INA (c, 2, Will Take Charge–Dreamy Blues, by Curlin) was a sound fourth behind next-out Cattleya Sho hero Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) in a 1300-meter newcomers' event at Toyko Nov. 7 before switching to this track and distance to post a convincing maiden-breaking victory Nov. 28 (see below, #10). A $100K Keeneland September yearling, the chestnut is out of a half-sister to GSW Shawklit Mint (Air Forbes Won) and is the early 6-5 favorite to take this next step. B-Betz, Kidder, B & K Canetti & Jim Betz (KY)
Sunday, December 20, 2020
6th-NKY, ¥13,400,000 ($130k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
BLACK LOTUS (c, 2, American Pharoah–Arravale, by Arch) is the latest to make the races from his dam, Canada's Horse of the Year and Sovereign Award-winning turf female of 2006, whose victories included the GI E.P. Taylor S. at home and the GI Del Mar Oaks south of the border. The dam of GSP Nancy O (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), Arravale was purchased by John Moores and Charles Noell's Merribelle Stable for $490K in foal to Animal Kingdom at KEENOV in 2016. Black Lotus, who could become his sire's 10th Japanese winner, was a $200K KEESEP purchase. B-Merribelle Stable (KY)
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