Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: July 14 & 15, 2018

[Wandering Eyes]

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 at Chukyo, Fukushima and Hakodate Racecourses, with a couple of nicely bred juveniles facing the starter for the first time.

Saturday, July 14, 2018
5th-HAK, ¥13,400,000 ($119k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT
CHELSEA LION (c, 2, Malibu Moon–Tashzara {Ire}, by Intikhab), a $180K graduate of last year’s KEESEP sale, is a maternal grandson of Sun Shower (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), whose distinguished produce include treble G1SW and champion Excelebration (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), recent G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Lancaster Bomber (War Front) and MGSW Mull of Killough (Ire) (Mull of Kintyre). Chelsea Lion’s dam was acquired privately by Spendthrift after being RNAd for $385K in foal to Giant’s Causeway at KEENOV in 2014. B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY)

5th-FUK, ¥13,400,000 ($119k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT
LITTLE MONSTER (f, 2, Into Mischief–Pashmina, by Pentelicus) is a half-sister to the talented five-time stakes-winning sprinter Pashito the Che (Flatter) and to MSP Bling (Horse Chestnut {SAf}) and blossomed into a $375K KEESEP yearling after realizing $85K at the OBS Winter Mixed Sale. Her MSW & MGSP third dam Flying Heat (Private Account) produced GISW Pompeii (Broad Brush) and GSWs Ground Storm (Summer Squall) and Omi (Wild Again). B-Off the Hook Partners LLC & Farm III Enterprises LLC (FL)

10th-CKO, ¥28,600,000 ($254k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1900m
VIEL SPASS (c, 3, Kitten’s Joy–Mighty Renee, by Maria’s Mon) cost the Maeda family’s North Hills Co. Ltd. $180K as a KEESEP yearling in 2016, broke his maiden at second asking (gate 8) last fall and subsequently finished third to recent Japan Dirt Derby hero Le Vent Se Leve (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) in allowance company a couple weeks later. Second in a listed event last October, the half to GSW Mighty Caroline (Stormy Atlantic) and MSW Cyclogenesis (Stormy Atlantic) returned with a solid fourth at that level May 20. The Maedas also campaign Kitten’s Joy’s Japanese GSW & G1SP Gendarme. B-Sierra Farm (KY)

Sunday, July 15, 2018
10th-HAK, ¥28,600,000 ($254k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 2600mT
Fresh off a 20-1 upset of allowance foes over 1800m at this track June 30 (video, gate 3), HOLIDAY MODE (c, 3, Point of Entry–Ski Holiday, by Harlan’s Holiday) goes right back to work over this staying trip. His SW & GSP dam was purchased by this breeder for $130K carrying this foal in utero at KEENOV in 2014 and his third dam Creaking Board (GB) (Night Shift) was Group 2-placed in France before winning the GI Hollywood Starlet S. in 1992. B-Shimokobe Farm (KY)

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