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 weekend running at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses:
Saturday, May 11, 2024
3rd-KYO, ¥10,480,000 ($67k), Maiden, 3yo, 1900m
CRITICAL HIT (c, 3, American Pharoah–Mythical Mission, by Giant's Causeway) was a creditable fifth on his Hanshin debut over 1800 meters Mar. 30 and returned on two weeks' rest to finish a solid runner-up over that same course and distance. The colt's stakes-winning dam is an Ontario-bred full-sister to multiple Sovereign Award winner Irish Mission and a half to GSW French Beret (Broad Brush) and to the dam of Grade III winner Mission of Joy (Kitten's Joy). Shimokobe Farm acquired Mythical Mission for $575,000 with this colt in utero from the Sam-Son Dispersal at Keeneland January in 2021. B-Shimokobe Farm (KY)
Sunday, May 12, 2024
7th-TOK, ¥14,880,000 ($96k), Allowance, 3yo, 1400m
ROLY GLORY (f, 3, Justify–Roly Poly, by War Front), a sound second debuting going six furlongs at Nakayama Jan. 20, graduated narrowly when last seen in a 1400-meter dirt maiden at Tokyo Feb. 18 (see below, SC 9). The bay filly is the first produce for her dam, winner of the G1 Sun Chariot S., G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Prix Rothschild and runner-up in the 2017 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas. Roly Poly's dam Misty For Me (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) saluted in the last-named event back in 2011, and her other winners include multiple champion and MG1SW U S Navy Flag (War Front) and Cover Song (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), a $2.3-million buyback at Keeneland November last fall. This is also the family of G1SW Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Justify's Group 3 winner Red Riding Hood (Ire). Roly Glory is owned by Insel Racing, who also campaign Awesome Result (Justify), winner of the Listed Empress Hai earlier this week. B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY)
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