Horse Profile: American Bikini

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Scouting Report

(Editor's note: Originally published in the 2024 BRISnet Breeders' Cup International Report)

When setting or equaling the juvenile track record in her front-running victories, American Bikini has called to mind the panache of sire American Pharoah. Now she’ll try to be as effective in carrying her speed over a route of ground for the first time with an eye-catching new rider – Ryan Moore. 

Aside from her Triple Crown-sweeping sire, American Bikini has classic influences on her dam’s side. She’s a half-sister to 2020 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) winner Paris Lights, both out of the Bernardini mare Paris Bikini. In turn, Paris Bikini is herself a three-quarter sister to Grade 3 vixen and multiple Grade 1-placed America, the dam of multiple Grade 3 scorer First Captain. They all descend from noted matron Blush with Pride, also the ancestress of 2007 Belmont (G1) champion Rags to Riches.

Paris Bikini was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for $1.95 million at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky in November 2020. After visiting American Pharoah, she was exported to Japan and joined Northern Farm’s broodmare collection. 

American Bikini is trained by Takashi Saito, who also has Sprint contender Don Frankie. Saito’s past celebrities include champion Geraldina and multiple Group 1 winner Chrono Genesis, the near-misser in the 2021 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) on World Cup night. Another trainee to place on the big stage, Killer Ability, was runner-up in this year’s Neom Turf Cup (G2) on Saudi Cup Day. 

Favored over males in a Kyoto newcomers’ race on June 15, American Bikini stalked the pace out wide, passed the leaders midstretch, but got outfinished by Happy Man. She’s looked like a different horse in her two subsequent starts.

American Bikini shortened up to about five furlongs at Kokura and wired a maiden in a juvenile course record time of :57.2. The former mark of :57.7 had stood since August 2008. Just gliding over a track rated good, with a beautiful way of going, the hot favorite romped by seven lengths from Otomena Shacho. Also, note that American Bikini ran faster than older horses (:57.4) in an allowance later on the July 13 card.

Next seen in a Sept. 28 Chukyo allowance at about seven furlongs, American Bikini dashed to the lead on the rail and rolled by 2 1/2 lengths over males in 1:23.6. That tied the juvenile track record, and again she clocked a faster time than older allowance horses (1:24.1) later on card. American Bikini showed just how much she’d improved by leaving the colt who beat her on debut, Happy Man, behind in fourth. Two other key opponents, favorite Clay King and Ecoro Azel (Juvenile), compromised themselves with tardy starts and closed for third and fifth, respectively. 

American Bikini is taking a substantial class hike, but she has the raw ability to surprise in a race that doesn’t appear to have formidable domestic contenders. The question is whether she can transfer her form internationally at this tender stage of her career.