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 for the grand re-opening of Kyoto Racecourse and Tokyo Racecourses as Group 1 racing takes the week off:
Saturday, April 22, 2023
6th-TOK, ¥14,880,000 ($111k), Allowance, 3yo, 1600m
PARAIBA TOURMALINE (f, 3, Malibu Moon–Private Jet, by Private Feeling) opened her account by five smashing lengths over this course and distance Oct. 30 (see below, SC 5) a few hours before Equinox (Jpn) took out the G1 Tenno Sho, but she was a fractionally disappointing fourth when trying winners for the first time at headquarters Jan. 28. A $70,000 Keeneland September buyback turned $450,000 OBS March breezer, the bay filly is out of a full-sister to two-time Eclipse Award winner Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) and a half to dual graded stakes winner Kensei (Mr. Greeley) and MGSW 'TDN Rising Star' Shahama (Munnings). Christophe Lemaire will carry the silks of Kazumi Yoshida. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY)
Sunday, April 23, 2023
1st-KYO, ¥10,480,000 ($78k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800mT
DEMI PLIE (JPN) (f, 3, Justify–Ballet Shoes {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) is the first foal from an Irish listed-winning and multiple Group 3-placed Coolmore runner who was purchased with this filly in utero by Shimokobe Farm for $800,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale. From the family of former leading Japanese sire Jade Robbery, Demi Plie looks to become the ninth winner in Japan for Justify and is bred on a cross that has resulted in 20 named foals, 13 of which have started and three of which are among the stallion's 45 winners to date. B-Shimokobe Farm
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