Well-Related American Pharoah Filly Debuts at Chukyo

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 Racecourse:

Saturday, September 10, 2022
3rd-CKO, ¥13,400,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT
ECORO DIANA (f, 2, More Than Ready–Nutcracker Suite {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}), a $75,000 Keeneland September purchase, improved into a $200,000 OBS March juvenile after breezing her eighth of a mile in :9 4/5. Bred on the enormously successful cross of this late sire over Danehill-line mares, the May 10 foal is out of a daughter of multiple Group 3 winner Dietrich (Storm Cat), the dam of Irish champion Beauty Bright (Ire) (Danehill) and MSW/G1SP Aloft (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). This is also the female family of Spinning World, Denon, Aldebaran, Good Journey, et al. Nutcracker Suite was acquired for $365,000 in foal to Into Mischief at KEENOV in 2018. B-Breed First LLC (KY)

Sunday, September 11, 2022
4th-CKO, ¥13,400,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
PINK SOLEIL (c, 2, American Pharoah–Stoweshoe, by Flatter) is out of a dual stakes-winning full-sister to the late 'TDN Rising Star' and GISW Taris, the dam of GSW King Fury (Curlin); and out of a half to SW & MGSP Theatre Star (War Front). Pink Soleil cost trainer Hideyuki Mori $200,000 at KEESEP last fall and looks to become the 27th winner from 32 starters in Japan for his sire. Pink Soleil's Curlin half-brother is consigned by Eaton Sales as hip 461 at KEESEP next week B-Doug & Felicia Branham (KY)

ISAIAS (c, 2, California Chrome–Above Heaven, by Mr. Greeley) is out of an unraced daughter of GI Alabama S. winner Lady Joanne (Orientate), who was acquired by Dr. Masatake Iida for $320,000 at KEENOV in 2013 and was RNAd for $575,000 at Fasig-Tipton November the following fall. Lady Joanne, who was purchased by Iida for $1.6-million in foal to Tiznow at FTKNOV in 2009, is a half-sister to GI Preakness S. hero Shackleford (Forestry) and MGSWs Baghdaria (Royal Academy) and Afleeting Lady (Afleet Alex), among others. B-Chiyoda Farm (KY)

RYUNO RAFALE (JPN) (c, 2, Blame–All Flags Flying, by War Front) is the first Japanese-foaled produce for his dam, a daughter of GI E.P. Taylor S. winner Volga (Ire) (Caerleon), who was acquired by JS Company with this colt in utero for $100,000 at KEENOV in 2019. The late March foal was sent through the ring a bit more than three months after his birth, realizing a final bid of $139,807 at the JRHA Select Sale. The colt's champion third dam Verveine (Lear Fan) dropped G1 Hong Kong Vase heroine Vallee Enchantee (Fr) (Peintre Celebre). B-Tobino Bokujo