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 Tokyo and Hanshin Racecourses. There is one Group 1 on each of the remaining seven weekends in 2021, kicking off with Japan's version of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup for fillies and mares, a race that would have attracted Loves Only You (Jpn), but for her landmark victory at the Breeders' Cup:
Saturday, November 13, 2021
9th-TOK, ¥19,110,000 ($168k), Allowance, 2yo, 1400m
CONCH PEARL (f, 2, American Pharoah–A Z Warrior, by Bernardini), second and third in turf maidens to begin her career, set a track-record time for the class when graduating by eight lengths in a two-turn maiden at Kokura Sept. 4 (see below, SC 7) and exits a narrowly beaten third over this trip at Hanshin Oct. 24. Her 'TDN Rising Star' dam, who sold for $550,000 in foal to Uncle Mo at Keeneland November Wednesday, is also responsible for SW Key To My Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and SP Cole Porter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). A Z Warrior is a half-sister to fellow 'Rising Stars' Jojo Warrior (Pioneerof the Nile), J Z Warrior (Harlan's Holiday) and E Z Warrior (Exploit). Conch Pearl cost North Hills $340K at KEESEP last fall. B-Triemore Stud (KY)
Sunday, November 14, 2021
1st-TOK, ¥9,680,000 ($85k), Maiden, 2yo, 1600m
POISON ARROW (c, 2, Arrogate–Crosswinds, by Storm Cat) was well-beaten when debuting on the dirt in July, but perked up a bit in a pair of tries on the turf, including a sound fourth at Sapporo Aug. 21. The $750K KEESEP grad is possessed of an each-way pedigree, as his half-sister Weep No More (Mineshaft) upset the 2016 GI Central Bank Ashland S., while half-brother Current (Curlin) took the GIII Dixiana Bourbon S. in 2018. Poison Arrow's second dam is GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Alabama S. heroine Flute (Seattle Slew), who produced GSW & MGISP turf distaffer Filimbi (Mizzen Mast). B-Hinkle Farms (KY)
1st-HSN, ¥9,860,000 ($85k), Maiden, 2yo, 1400m
SHIRAKINU (f, 2, Frosted–Meets Expectations, by Valid Expectations), a $335K graduate of last year's Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase, fought on bravely from a high gate in her debut, but gave way late to finish second, beaten 3/4 of a length going this distance at Tokyo Oct. 30 (see below, SC 15). The Godolphin colorbearer is a half-sister to dual-surface GISW World of Trouble (Kantharos) and SW Money Or Love (J Be K) and her dam is a half-sister to the multiple graded-stakes winner Bucchero (Kantharos).B-Darsan Inc & Godolphin (FL)
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
