Keep Smiling (R8 Niigata, Class 1 Win, Dirt, 1800m, 26 Aug)

Trainer Ryo Takei looks to have unearthed a nice dirt prospect in the form of strapping filly Keep Smiling, who took her record to two wins from four starts at Niigata on Saturday.

The three-year-old is by Florida Derby winner Quality Road out of Grade 1 Ashland Stakes winner Weep No More, and again showed a propensity for the dirt implied by her pedigree, accelerating powerfully in the final 600 metres to defeat her Class 1 opposition by four lengths. Keep Smiling weighed in at a healthy 554kg, a full 16kg more than her previous start in April when fourth on a muddy Hanshin surface.

Justifying her 3.1 favouritism for jockey Hiroshi Kitamura, the filly can continue to work through her grades on the JRA dirt. 

Grand Luce (R5 Sapporo, Newcomer, 2 years old, Dirt, 1700m, 26 Aug)

Runner-up in Quality Road’s 2009 Florida Derby triumph was none other than Dunkirk, sire of this week’s other blackbook entry Grand Luce.

Only lightly-raced on the track with five career starts, the US$3.7 million yearling Dunkirk was retired after sustaining a leg injury when second behind Summer Bird in the Belmont Stakes and was exported to Japan for the 2015 breeding season, after also standing in Chile.

Settling well for jockey Suguru Hamanaka, two-year-old colt Grand Luce was not overawed by his first start at the races, finishing off his race in 37.7s to register a four-length victory. 

“He ran very well and won nicely,” said Hamanaka. “I think the winning margin proved his class.” 

Grand Luce’s dam Grand Sherry was also twice a winner as a two-year-old and this colt may prove one to follow in the coming months.

JRA Blackbook: Belle earns admirers in Niigata Newcomer