Derma Sotogake entered the Kentucky Derby with the lofty weight of Japanese expectations on his back, he could only manage to finish in sixth. Despite an awkward start, the colt made some progress across the back stretch but made no significant impression on the leaders in the last two 400m.

Jockey Christophe Lemaire reported on his mount, "The response wasn't fast enough in the straight and we fell behind." Trainer Hidetaka Otonashi expressed his disappointment, "Everything happened in a split second when the gates opened. I thought it would be impossible to make a comeback from that position."

Mandarin hero made it into the race in the eleventh hour with some late high-profile withdrawals. The Teru Fujita -trained colt finished in 12th. The trainer commented, "We were happy with his preparation and had hoped to finish in the top five, so we are a little disappointed." On his future targets "His next goal is the Japan Dirt Derby at Ohi Racecourse on July 12th"