Team Japan rolls into Kentucky
Thursday, 04 May, 2023 19:45
Derma Sotogake pictured at UAE Derby (Photo: Masakazu Takahashi)
The 149th G1 Kentucky Derby is fast approaching and fans are ready to witness the greatest two minutes in sport. This article serves as your guide to the three Japanese contenders.
Derma Sotogake is considered Japan's main hope, from stall 17, with a French maestro Christophe Lemaire onboard and ready to break the winless curse of number 17. G2 UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake is a three-year-old colt trained by leading JRA trainer Hidetaka Otonashi. He punched a ticket to the KY Derby after a dominating five-and-a-half length win in the UAE Derby. He flew directly from Dubai to Kentucky on the 8th of April and connections were satisfied with how he took the long-distance trip. He has been training in Churchill Downs since his arrival.
From stall 20, Continuar is the second Japanese runner in the KY Derby and will be ridden by Ryusei Sakai. Continuar is a three-year-old colt trained by the globetrotting phenomenon Yoshito Yahagi. He arrived in Kentucky from Dubai after finishing third behind travel partner Derma Sotogake in UAE Derby and will be looking for revenge in Churchill Downs. Yahagi will try to continue his extraordinary international campaign after having won the G1 Saudi Cup in February.
The final Japanese contender is the second reserve for the Run for the Roses, Mandarin Hero. He is a three-year-old colt trained by NAR trainer Terunobu Fujita. Mandarin Hero finished second in G1 Santa Anita Derby with Kazushi Kimura, a Japanese-born jockey based in North America. If Mandarin Hero gets a run in the KY Derby, Kimura is booked to ride him once again.
The 149th Kentucky Derby is scheduled to run on May 6th, 6:57 p.m. ET (May 7th, 7:57 a.m. Japanese time).
Derma Sotogake is considered Japan's main hope, from stall 17, with a French maestro Christophe Lemaire onboard and ready to break the winless curse of number 17. G2 UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake is a three-year-old colt trained by leading JRA trainer Hidetaka Otonashi. He punched a ticket to the KY Derby after a dominating five-and-a-half length win in the UAE Derby. He flew directly from Dubai to Kentucky on the 8th of April and connections were satisfied with how he took the long-distance trip. He has been training in Churchill Downs since his arrival.
From stall 20, Continuar is the second Japanese runner in the KY Derby and will be ridden by Ryusei Sakai. Continuar is a three-year-old colt trained by the globetrotting phenomenon Yoshito Yahagi. He arrived in Kentucky from Dubai after finishing third behind travel partner Derma Sotogake in UAE Derby and will be looking for revenge in Churchill Downs. Yahagi will try to continue his extraordinary international campaign after having won the G1 Saudi Cup in February.
The final Japanese contender is the second reserve for the Run for the Roses, Mandarin Hero. He is a three-year-old colt trained by NAR trainer Terunobu Fujita. Mandarin Hero finished second in G1 Santa Anita Derby with Kazushi Kimura, a Japanese-born jockey based in North America. If Mandarin Hero gets a run in the KY Derby, Kimura is booked to ride him once again.
The 149th Kentucky Derby is scheduled to run on May 6th, 6:57 p.m. ET (May 7th, 7:57 a.m. Japanese time).