By Alan Carasso
In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes 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 Kyoto, Niigata and Tokyo Racecourses:
Saturday, May 13, 2023
2nd-TOK, ¥10,480,000 ($78k), Maiden, 3yo, 1600m
LAND OF SAND (c, 3, American Pharoah–Slow Sand, by Dixieland Band) looks to continue a purple patch of form for Godolphin with Christophe Lemaire aboard for this debut run. A $180,000 purchase by Paca Paca Farm out of the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, the Mar. 21 foal is a half-brother to GII Tampa Bay Derby winner and GI Arkansas Derby runner-up King Guillermo (Uncle Mo) and to the dam of G1 Darley July Cup hero Starman (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and MGSP Sunday Star (GB) (Kodiac {GB}). A daughter of SW Slow Down (Seattle Slew), Slow Sand is a half-sister to French Group 3 winner Slow Pace (Distorted Humor) and to GIII Pat Day Mile upsetter Funny Duck (Distorted Humor). The Grade I-winning third dam Corrazona (El Gran Senor) produced nine winners from 11 to race, including MGSW/GISP Olmodavor (A.P. Indy). B-Carhue Investments, Grouseridge Ltd & Marengo Investments (KY)
6th-NII, ¥10,480,000 ($78k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m
MOZU GRANDE DAME (f, 3, City of Light–Miss Moon, by Malibu Moon) cost $300,000 at Keeneland September in 2021, and is out of a daughter of champion and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Folklore (Tiznow), the dam of recent Japanese maiden winner Mystic Lore (Arrogate) and the granddam of 2020 Japanese Triple Crown hero Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Folklore's MSP half-sister Delightful Quality (Elusive Quality) is responsible for two-time Eclipse Award and four-time Grade I-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Essential Quality (Tapit) and SW Famed (UncleMo). B-Chris Baccari & Brad Stephens (KY)
6th-KYO, ¥15,200,000 ($113k), Allowance, 4yo/up, 1400m
WAX LYRICAL (f, 4, Maclean's Music–Cholena, by Indian Charlie) was acquired by Paca Paca Farm on behalf of Godolphin for $150,000 at KEENOV in 2019 and has one start to her credit, a 3/4-length success over this distance at Hanshin over 13 months ago (see below, SC 8). The chestnut's dam, a full-sister to Grade III winner Rumor and a half to GI Norfolk S. hero Dixie Chatter (Dixie Union), was purchased for $115,000 with this filly in utero at the 2019 Keeneland January Sale. Champion third dam Phone Chatter (Phone Trick) was the dam of GSW Cat Chat (Storm Cat), who in turn produced GISW In Lingerie (Empire Maker), who is now domiciled in Japan. B-Robert S West Jr (KY)
Sunday, May 14, 2023
10th-TOK, ¥34,200,000 ($254k), Allowance, 3yo, 1600m
YUTTITHAM (JPN) (c, 3, Justify–Zipessa, by City Zip) makes his 3-year-old debut here as he goes in search of a third straight victory overall. A debut second to future SW Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) back in August, the chestnut graduated by eight in his next start and backed that up with a three-length allowance win when last seen Dec. 28 (see below, SC 7). Purchased for ¥200 million ($1.82 million) at the 2021 JRHA Select Sale, the April foal is out of a winner of Keeneland's GI First Lady S. who was acquired by Shadai for $1.25 million in foal to Medaglia d'Oro at KEENOV in 2018. Yuttitham has trained in the company of champion Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune), who will be one of the favorites in the G1 Victoria Mile one race after this allowance. B-Shadai Farm
5m SODASHI fast work 11 days out from defending her G1 Victoria Mile title. Great work, 1 more week she'll be spot on
Working with her is most aggressive colt in Sugai's yard, one of best Dirt colts here 3c YUTTITHAM (Justify x Zipessa 🇺🇸) x King Kawadapic.twitter.com/NRwXAPwUI8
— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) May 4, 2023
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