Derma Sotogake: A new Kentucky Derby hope for Japan
Tuesday, 04 April, 2023 19:25
UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake
A 26-strong Japanese team of horses delivered three winners on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan Racecourse.
The G2 UAE Derby was dominated by Japanese runners, filling the top four places. Equinox was widely expected to win but who would have thought he would be a front-runner? On his return to Japan, Christophe Lemaire praised Equinox's performance in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, "There was no horse that wanted to make the running, so I decided to be positive. He is one of the best horses I have ever ridden. He doesn't have to get any better; he's that good!"
Ushba Tesoro completed the Japanese treble in the feature race of the card, The Dubai World Cup. He finished a well-beaten sixth in the Miho Stakes on the turf less than year ago. It is incredible that, since then, he has become a multiple G1-winning dirt horse.
Derma Sotogake was the first winner of the night for Team Japan in the UAE Derby. Trainer Otonashi explained Derma Sotogake's third-place finish in the Saudi Derby on his previous start. "He was too far back at the fourth corner, but he finished well. He is a better horse at 1800m rather than 1600m."
After a month-long preparation, Derma Sotogake comfortably won the UAE Derby by five lengths. Otonashi said, "Being ridden prominently worked well for us but I still didn't expect Lemaire would make the running. I told Christophe that 'The horse will not travel well without pressure', his performance even surprised me."
Lemaire recapped the race, "I wanted to get him in a good position. He jumped out of the gate sharply, so I thought it was a better option to go forward. Kickback on the dirt course in Dubai is difficult, but he ran well in a piece of work when I made him lead another horse."
The next target will be the US Classic, The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6th. The past two Japanese challengers who won the UAE Derby went to the Kentucky Derby finishing 9th and 13th. Otonashi explained the decision to travel to America "I understand that the dirt surface in Dubai is similar to the dirt in North America. He always adapts quickly to different conditions and environments. Christophe Lemaire will ride him again."
Lemaire on this big challenge "I think it's a good idea. He has a lot of experience, he stays very well and 2000m will not be a problem for him." His thoughts on Churchill Downs "Last year I took the lead, but the horse didn't stay. The corners are tight but when the race is fast-paced, horses that are held-up will challenge us late."
"The Kentucky Derby is a massive race, so we have to try it." Ski Captain was the first Japanese-trained horse to run in KY Derby 28 years ago. Japanese racing fans are already getting excited for a Japanese runner to compete against the world's best dirt horses on May 6th.
(Daily Sports: Tatsuya Inoue)
The G2 UAE Derby was dominated by Japanese runners, filling the top four places. Equinox was widely expected to win but who would have thought he would be a front-runner? On his return to Japan, Christophe Lemaire praised Equinox's performance in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, "There was no horse that wanted to make the running, so I decided to be positive. He is one of the best horses I have ever ridden. He doesn't have to get any better; he's that good!"
Ushba Tesoro completed the Japanese treble in the feature race of the card, The Dubai World Cup. He finished a well-beaten sixth in the Miho Stakes on the turf less than year ago. It is incredible that, since then, he has become a multiple G1-winning dirt horse.
Derma Sotogake was the first winner of the night for Team Japan in the UAE Derby. Trainer Otonashi explained Derma Sotogake's third-place finish in the Saudi Derby on his previous start. "He was too far back at the fourth corner, but he finished well. He is a better horse at 1800m rather than 1600m."
After a month-long preparation, Derma Sotogake comfortably won the UAE Derby by five lengths. Otonashi said, "Being ridden prominently worked well for us but I still didn't expect Lemaire would make the running. I told Christophe that 'The horse will not travel well without pressure', his performance even surprised me."
Lemaire recapped the race, "I wanted to get him in a good position. He jumped out of the gate sharply, so I thought it was a better option to go forward. Kickback on the dirt course in Dubai is difficult, but he ran well in a piece of work when I made him lead another horse."
The next target will be the US Classic, The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6th. The past two Japanese challengers who won the UAE Derby went to the Kentucky Derby finishing 9th and 13th. Otonashi explained the decision to travel to America "I understand that the dirt surface in Dubai is similar to the dirt in North America. He always adapts quickly to different conditions and environments. Christophe Lemaire will ride him again."
Lemaire on this big challenge "I think it's a good idea. He has a lot of experience, he stays very well and 2000m will not be a problem for him." His thoughts on Churchill Downs "Last year I took the lead, but the horse didn't stay. The corners are tight but when the race is fast-paced, horses that are held-up will challenge us late."
"The Kentucky Derby is a massive race, so we have to try it." Ski Captain was the first Japanese-trained horse to run in KY Derby 28 years ago. Japanese racing fans are already getting excited for a Japanese runner to compete against the world's best dirt horses on May 6th.
(Daily Sports: Tatsuya Inoue)
Article Creds:Daily Sports