Sapporo

5th-Sapporo, ¥13,400,000 ($121,612), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT, 1:09.5, gd. GRAN APLAUSO (c, 2, Gun Runner--Fiducia {SW & GSP-Jpn, $1,425,976}, by Medaglia d'Oro) became the fourth winner for his freshman sire (by Candy Ride {Arg}) and his first on the turf with a smooth success on career debut. Drawn widest in a field of 16, the homebred raced deep on the course, but tugged his way up into second entering the turn. Poised to strike at the quarter pole, he was roused to the front outside the 200-meter mark and kept 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 Hanshin and Sapporo Racecourses, including the first Japanese runner for Horse of the Year Gun Runner: Saturday, June 19, 2021 11th-HSN, Yonago S.-Listed, ¥47.6m ($432k), 3yo/up, 1600mT The progressive LOTUS LAND (f, 4, Point of Entry--Little Miss Muffet, by Scat...

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 running Saturday at Niigata and Sapporo Racecourses. Another helping of US-breds scheduled to run Sunday will appear in Saturday's TDN: Saturday, September 5, 2020 1st-SAP, ¥9,680,000 ($90k), Maiden, 2yo, 1700m SHOVELHEAD (c, 2, Curlin--Date to Remember, by Bernardini) has improved steadily in three previous starts--all...

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. With limited American-bred activity on tap for this weekend, we also look at the young progeny of American-sourced mares hitting the track at Kokura and Sapporo Racecourses: Saturday, August 15, 2020 5th-KOK, ¥13,400,000 ($125k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT CYPHER (JPN) (c, 2, Fenomeno {Jpn}-Josh's Madelyn, by Quiet American) is the latest foal...

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 Niigata and Sapporo Racecourses: Saturday, August 8, 2020 1st-NII, ¥9,680,000 ($92k), Maiden, 2yo, 1600mT KITTEN'S WALTZ (f, 2, Air Force Blue--Dances With Kitten, by Kitten's Joy) was bet down to 6-1 for her 1400-meter debut at Hanshin July 18 and...

Vanishing Point (Tapit), a full-brother to two-time Eclipse Award and three-time Grade I winner Unique Bella, was very green, but very good in his racecourse debut Sunday afternoon at Sapporo Racecourse, leading every step of the way en route to a seven-length tally. The mount of perennial leading jockey Christophe Lemaire, the son of GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Distaff heroine Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song) jumped alertly from the widest gate in the field of seven and was switching back and forth across his leads while establishing the front passing under...

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 Niigata and Sapporo Racecourses, including the racecourse debut of a well-related son of Tapit: Saturday, August 2, 2020 7th-NII, ¥14,360,000 ($137k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1800m NILE RIVER (c, 3, American Pharoah--Jeweliana, by Smart Strike), a $235K Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling turned $775K...

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. Just two tracks on the menu for the weekend, but American-bred and -sired juveniles are set to make their presence felt at Niigata and Sapporo Racecourses: Saturday, July 25, 2020 5th-NII, ¥13,400,000 ($125k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT REFRAME (f, 2, American Pharoah--Careless Jewel, by Tapit) is the latest to the races from...