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 Tokyo and Kyoto Racecourses:Saturday, November 7, 20266th-TOK, ¥14,880,000 ($94k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1300mSATONO HERCULES (c, 2, Gun Runner–Devil by Design, by Medaglia d'Oro), whose dam won the GIII Chicago Handicap for this breeder, cost $600,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale and is a half-sister to Competitionofideas (Speightstown), victorious in the 2018 GI American Oaks and herself a broodmare at Shadai Farm. This is also the female family of the John Gunther-bred Advance Pharoah (American Pharoah), a listed winner in Japan for trainer Hideyuki Mori. The visiting Cristian Demuro has the ride for Noriyuki Hori on the odds-on ante-post favorite. O-Hajime Satomi; B-John D Gunther, Eurowest Bloodstock Services & Sahara Bloodstock (KY); T-Noriyuki HoriBELIEVE HARMONY (f, 2, Nashville–Sequoia Queen, by Forestry) hails from a live female family, has her half-sister, the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Top Decile (Congrats), is the dam of Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), winner of the 2024 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in 2025 and most recently very impressive in taking out the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at this venue. Another half-sister, Ginja (Quality Road), is the dam of 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Q B Rocket (Gun Runner), third in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity last month. Believe Harmony was a $100,000 KEESEP acquisition. O-Toshihara Nagashima; B-Clarkland Farm LLC (KY); T-Kiyoshi Muroi6th-KYO, ¥14,880,000 ($94k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mYOKOHAMA BLUES (c, 2, Flightline–True Feelings, by Latent Heat) debuts in the Forever Young (Jpn) sliks of Susumu Fujita, who gave $1.1 million for the March foal at last year's Keeneland September Sale through trainer Mitsu Nakauchida. A half-brother to SW Feeling Mischief (Into Mischief) and to GSP Royal Act (American Pharoah), the bay is out of a Grade III-placed daughter of GSW Grand Charmer (Lord Avie), also the second dam of 2006 champion 3-year-old filly and MGISW Wait a While (Maria's Mon). This is also the family of two-time Eclipse Award winner Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Stonehaven Steadings (KY); T-Mitsumasa NakauchidaSunday, November 8, 20264th-TOK, ¥14,880,000 ($94k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mAMERICAN NOVA (c, 2, Constitution–Princess Huron, by Union Rags) is the latest to debut for owner Katsumi Yoshizawa, who gave $375,000 for this Feb. 28 foal at last year's Keeneland September Sale. The unraced dam is a half-sister to dual Grade III winner Salty Strike (Smart Strike), whose two winners include two-time GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint and champion female sprinter Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), a $6-million Fasig-Tipton November purchase by John Stewart in 2023. Tom Marquand has the riding assignment. O-Yoshizawa Holdings Co Ltd; B-Craig B Singer (KY); T-Yasutoshi IkeeThe post Gun Runner Colt To Validate Odds-On Favoritism On Tokyo Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.