Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: April 7, 2018

[Chief Stipe]

In this ongoing 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. This weekend’s runners appear in both Friday and Saturday’s TDN, as Saturday’s action at Nakayama features a trio of promising American-breds going to the post in the G2 New Zealand Trophy over the metric mile:

Saturday, April 7, 2018
11th-NKY, New Zealand Trophy-G2, ¥104m ($967k), 3yo, 1600mT
RYONO TESORO (c, 3, Justin Phillip–Town Belle, by Speightstown) looks to run his winning streak to four while making his group debut here. Second on debut to recent Group 2 winner Mr Melody (Scat Daddy), the bay colt paired up victories on the dirt in his next two starts and exits a neck success in the Listed Crocus S. (1400m) in his turf debut Jan. 27 (gate 4). A $45K KEENOV weanling, $80K KEESEP yearling and $300K BARMAR 2yo, he is a maternal grandson of Clearly a Queen (Lucky North), a three-time graded winner on the grass. B-Highland Yard LLC (KY)

RAMSES BAROWS (c, 3, Curlin–Devious Intent, by Dixie Union) broke his maiden at second asking on dirt and most recently carried Christophe Lemaire to a 3/4-length allowance victory over this course and distance Mar. 4 (gate 12). Purchased in utero for $350K at FTKNOV in 2014, he subsequently fetched $425K as a KEESEP yearling before being sold for $350K as an OBSMAR breezer in 2017. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY)

DELTA BAROWS (c, 3, Into Mischief–Sweet Seventeen, by Hard Spun) could not have been more impressive in graduating by open lengths first time out over soft Tokyo turf Oct. 21 (gate 5), but was well beaten when last seen in the G3 Keisei Hai (2000m) in January. A $200K KEESEP yearling who realized the same price at FTFMAR a year ago, he should be suited by the cutback in distance and could possibly appreciate some ease in the ground. B-John C Oxley (KY)

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