Pricey Uncle Mo Colt Among Japanese Debuters

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, Fukushima and Hakodate Racecourses:

Saturday July 1, 2023
5th-HAK, ¥13,780,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT
DONA NOBLE (f, 2, Medaglia d'Oro–Gender Agenda {GB}, by Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) cost JS Company $200,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale and is out of a mare who upset the GIII Robert J. Frankel S. in 2015 for Carla Gaines and owners Keith Brackpool, Alon Ossip and Tim Ritvo. Gender Agenda changed hands for $80,000 at Keeneland November last fall and produced a filly by Violence this season. The deeper female family includes G1 Oaks and St Leger victress User Friendly (GB) (Slip Anchor {GB}). B-Town & Country Horse Farms LLC (KY)

6th-FKS, ¥13,780,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1150m
ESCALE (c, 2, American Pharoah–Pretty Girl {Arg}, by Harlan's Holiday) is the latest to make the races from his well-traveled dam, a Group 1 winner in her native Argentina for Stud RDI in 2014, a listed winner in France for Mikel Delzangles in 2016 and twice placed at Grade II level in California in 2017, with Bonne Chance Farm part of the ownership. Escale was a $310,000 purchase by Koji Maeda at Keeneland last September. B-Bonne Chance Farm LLC (KY)

11th-FKS, ¥35,040,000 ($242k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1700m
AIR SAGE (h, 5, Point of Entry–Nokaze, by Empire Maker) won three of his first four career appearances and did not disgrace when beaten just over eight lengths into eighth behind Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the 2021 G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger). He makes his first start since a dead-heat third in a 10-furlong allowance in February 2022 and switches to the dirt, a surface his family has proven more than capable over. Half-brother Air Almas (Majestic Warrior) is a Group 3 winner on dirt, while full-brother Air Anemoi successfully negotiated the surface when tried for the first time Apr. 30. Nokaze is a half-sister to the stakes-placed dam of dirt GSW Yuugiri (Shackleford). Keita Tosaki sees fit to ride. B-Winchester Farm (KY)

【土曜福島11R 鶴ヶ城S(3歳上3勝)】
通算6戦3勝、現級でも上位の実力を見せるエアサージュ(牡5)が1年5ヶ月ぶりの復帰戦。

初のダート戦でまずは無事にというところか。或いは半兄にエアアルマスがいる血の力で、砂での新味発揮となるか。https://t.co/p4vSpLtXH3

— netkeiba (@netkeiba) June 29, 2023

Sunday, July 2, 2023
5th-HAK, ¥13,720,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT
KANJI (c, 2, Uncle Mo–Nikki's Choice, by Forestry), a $600,000 KEESEP acquisition and the year-younger full-brother to $1.1-million KEESEP grad Evergrande, is bred on the exact same cross as champion Nyquist. The colt's unraced second dam Charming Lauren (Meadowlake) was a full-sister to GI Champagne S. winner Greenwood Lake and a half to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Success Express (Hold Your Peace) and MGSW/MGISP Charlie Barley (Affirmed). Top jockey Takeshi Yokoyama takes the call. B-Aaron Sones (KY)

【👊日曜へ向けて実戦形式…】今朝の、右から #カンジ（牡、武井、母ニッキズチョイス）、#リヤンイヴェール（牝、栗田、母デプロマトウショウ）、#ライフセービング（牡、宮、母レインダンス）、 #スパークリシャール（牡、小島、母スパークオンアイス）です📰【函館捜査官・Ｔ】 @goku_uma @HirooTC https://t.co/0WCvu4Qppn pic.twitter.com/SKrzKsznxQ

— 「極ウマPOG捜査官」ニッカン全力２歳馬追跡📰 (@gokuumapog) June 28, 2023

5th-CKO, ¥13,720,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT
ROUGE STUNNING (JPN) (f, 2, Into Mischief–Boyne Beauty, by Giant's Causeway), a half-sister to recent Ellis maiden romper Check Engine Light (Uncle Mo), was acquired in utero for $700,000 by Nobutaka Tada at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. The filly's unraced dam is a daughter of MSW & GSP Bubbler (Distorted Humor), herself responsible for the late Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and SW Osare (Medaglia d'Oro), whose first foal Quester (Into Mischief) fetched $775,000 from Repole Stable and Robert and Lawana Low at KEESEP last year. B-Mint Co

【注目の2歳馬紹介】ルージュスタニング　友道師「軽い走り」　ワグネリアンに続け(スポニチアネックス)#Yahooニュースhttps://t.co/pSJyKn29Fq

— MMP@一口馬主&競馬垢 (@MMP_keiba) June 26, 2023