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 Saturday running at Nakayama Racecourse. The feature of the weekend is Sunday's fan-voted G1 Arima Kinen, the preview for which will appear in Saturday's TDN:
Saturday, December 23, 2023
6th-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($96k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
BLUE WHIRL (c, 2, Arrogate–Ignite, by Jump Start) is the first foal from a stakes-placed half-sister to MSP Instructor Kunu (E Dubai) and MSP Belial (Tritap) and looks to become the 15th winner from 17 Japanese starters for his sadly departed stallion. A $90,000 purchase as a weanling by McMahon and Hill out of 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall Sale, the dark bay colt was led out unsold on a bid of $140,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. Takeshi Yokoyama, who will finish third in this year's Japanese jockeys' premiership, has the riding assignment. B-The New Hill Farm (NY)
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