Chukyo

Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) posted a mild upset as the 12-1 fourth choice in the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo on Sunday. The 1800-metre race was the second group win for the 5-year-old entire. The Northern Farm-bred sat in between horses in midpack while Air Almas (Majestic Warrior) and Inti (Jpn) (Came Home) duked it out on the front end. The first 1000 metres was covered in 1:00.30. Gradually improving three deep on the bend, Chuwa Wizard was within striking distance in fifth at the quarter pole. However,...

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 Chukyo Racecourses. The latter plays host to the G1 Champions Cup Sunday, which features an intriguing clash between reigning Japanese champion dirt horse Chrysoberyl (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}), the country's top dirt 3-year-old Café Pharoah (American Pharoah) and...

Café Pharoah (Jpn) (American Pharoah) dispatched his elders with deceptive ease when taking Saturday's 1900-metre G3 Sirius S. at Chukyo. Pounded down to 70 cents on the dollar, the son of 2015 American Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was taking his second Japanese group race. The favourite settled in midfield while Chimera Verite (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) opened up several lengths on the chasing pack. Still eighth on the far turn, Café Pharoah swung wide into the homestretch. Fanned out to the centre of the track for the stretch drive, the...

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 and Nakayama Racecourses, the latter of which plays host to Sunday's G1 Sprinters' S., the first of 13 fall Group 1s in Japan and featuring US-breds Mozu Superflare (Speightstown) and Mr Melody (Scat Daddy): Saturday, October 3, 2020 4th-CKO,...

Pounded down to 10 cents on the dollar, dual Classic hero Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) marked his return to the races with an easy-as-he-pleased victory in the 2200-metre G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai at Chukyo on Sunday. Away in good order, pilot Yuichi Fukunaga eased Contrail back to sit in midfield while well covered up in the early stages. Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) showed the way through a half in :47.40 and a mile in 1:36.30 with positions largely unchanged. Nearing the final bend the heavy favourite had a...

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 Chukyo Racecourses. Sunday's action features the return to the races of Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who preps for the final leg of the Japanese Triple Crown in the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai: Saturday, September 26, 2020 4th-CKO, ¥13,400,000 ($127k),...

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--a trio of fillies--for this holiday weekend running at Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses: Sunday, September 20, 2020 12th-NKY, ¥14,360,000 ($137k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1200mT DETROIT TESORO (f, 3, Speightstown--Bella Traviata, by Indian Charlie) comprised a record of three thirds and a second from four previous tries on...

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 and Nakayama Racecourses:  Sunday, September 13, 2020 5th-NKY, ¥13,400,000 ($126k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT AMERICAN PEACE (c, 2 Tapit--La Cloche, by Ghostzapper), a $325K Keeneland September acquisition, is the latest produce from his Grade III-winning dam, a $2.4m Fasig-Tipton purchase...

Mozu Superflare (Speightstown) won the 1200m G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo on Sunday after a game effort on the front end and a timely disqualification. Disregarded at 31-1 in this full 18-horse field, the blinkered chestnut shot straight to the front and quickly opened up several lengths on the chasing pack, clearly relishing the soft going. She clicked off fractions of :22.90 for the opening quarter and :45.60 for the first 800 metres. Rivals began to wind up with their runs inside the final furlong and Kurino Gaudi (Jpn) (Screen...

Godolphin homebred Tower of London (Jpn) (Raven's Pass) and Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), two of the best sprinters the country has to offer, go head-to-head for the third time in their last four appearances in Sunday's G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Chukyo Racecourse. Group 1-placed over a mile as a juvenile, Tower of London has amassed an imposing resume over 1200-1400m in the last year or so, having set course records when taking out the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m in 1:19.4) and the G2 Centaur S....

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 and Hanshin Racecourses. A preview of Saturday's Fukuryu S. (allowance), the final leg on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, will appear in Saturday's TDN. The featured race on the weekend is Sunday's G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen: Saturday, March,...

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, Hanshin and Chukyo Racecourses: Saturday, March 14, 2020 5th-NKY, ¥9,680,000 ($92k), Maiden, 3yo, 1600mT CHAROITE (f, 3, Uncle Mo--Taboo, by Forestry) turned in a creditable debut effort, finishing fourth on her lone appearance over course and distance Dec. 22....