Japan's Derma Sotogake, Continuar Settle Into Churchill

Japan is well on its way to the starting gate for the first Saturday in May as Derma Sotogake  and Continuar  settle into the Churchill Downs backstretch after a lengthy voyage.

Japan Racing Association representative Kate Hunter says the colts are working daily to build their strength back after a journey from Japan to the Middle East and now on to Louisville, Ky. Last out they finished first and third, respectively, in the March 25 UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Before that race, Derma Sotogake finished third and Continuar fifth in the Feb. 25 Saudi Derby at King Adbulaziz Racecourse.

"They shipped well, they're tired as you can expect from the long journey from Dubai all the way here (stops included Amsterdam and Chicago before vanning to Louisville). But they're adjusting to their new routine and their atmosphere," Hunter said. "We're taking it easy this week before we start gearing it up. The horses are happy and enjoy their new barn; the quarantine barns here are really nice."

Have to take these shots when you have runners in the Kentucky Derby! Continuar & Derma Sotogake pic.twitter.com/uGWeMu50p4

— Kate Hunter • ケイト ハンター (@KeibaKate) April 10, 2023

Derma Sotogake punched his Derby ticket with the UAE Derby win, which earned him 100 qualifying points in the main Road to the Kentucky Derby. Continuar earned his spot in the Kentucky Derby through the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. 

The horses must be isolated due to not being able to test for Contagious Equine Metritis in Japan. They are imported on a CEM waiver which allows them to ship over and race, but they cannot be stabled with other horses as a precaution to prevent cross-contamination. Hunter said that last year's Japan-based Kentucky Derby runner Crown Pride  was able to ship directly to Louisville but this year the colts had to make a stop in Chicago first where they spent two days in quarantine before arriving in Kentucky. 

The trainers will likely look to ramp up the horses' training this weekend.

"You'll see them slowly gathering up steam and improving what they're doing and recover from their travels as they go forward," Hunter said.

The Mind Your Biscuits  colt Derma Sotogake is trained by Hidetaka Otonashi for Hiroyuki Asanuma.

Continuar, a son of Drefong , earned his Japan Road points with a victory in last year's Cattleya Stakes. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi and owner Lion Race Horse accepted that bid.

Meanwhile, Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Mandarin Hero , who is trained by Terunobu Fujito for Hiroaki Arai, will also be aimed toward the Derby although he'll need some help getting into the field. He is currently 23rd on the main leaderboard with 40 points and 24th overall as Continuar is ensured a spot from the Japan Road.

Potentially, other horses also could enter the Derby bubble picture as there is one race left on the main Road to the Kentucky Derby schedule, the Lexington Stakes (G3) April 15 at Keeneland. The race awards a total of 40 points on a 20-8-6-4-2 schedule to the top five finishers.

The Derby allows 20 starters and 22 entries, as two of those entries are also-eligibles. Hunter said that if Mandarin Hero does not make the race, he will probably look toward the Preakness Stakes (G1) instead. 

Last year's upset winner, Rich Strike , entered the field from the also-eligible list.

"The goal is to play it by ear. What they've told me is that they want to try and 'Rich Strike it.' They're hoping maybe they'll get in even if it's the last minute," Hunter said. "It's a dream for any person with a good dirt horse to win the Kentucky Derby, regardless of what country you're from. Watching the reactions after that race (Santa Anita Derby) you would've thought they'd won the race based on how happy they were. It was truly touching.

"I hope there are horses that decide on their own accord that they would like to skip the Kentucky Derby so we can get in and nothing bad happens, obviously. They're always some people that decide it won't fit or want to give their horses more rest. If that doesn't work out there's always the Preakness. He is Triple Crown-nominated so he can do either one. The hope is that we'll get him into either one of them for sure."

Looking forward to year-long goals, including the World Championships at Santa Anita Park, Hunter says it is possible more horses will ship over due to the track being near a port of entry and it being an all-around shorter trip. Last year, Japan was represented by only one horse at the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland which was due to both the Japanese economy and the location of the track.

"Since everyone will be going to California this year. I'm a lot less worried about it. It shouldn't affect the West Coast as much as it did the East Coast," Hunter said. "Ideally, you want to take your horses straight to the track so the moment the 48 hours is over, they can immediately start training and be relaxed."

Though for now, Japan is more focused on the task at hand—capturing its first win in the Run for the Roses.

"It's great to see how much the Kentucky Derby resonates with the Japanese people and how it is very much something they want to be a part of. It's also very encouraging that Churchill, with the creation of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and everything they've put into that; they equally want to help motivate the world to be a part of the Kentucky Derby," Hunter said.

"It's pretty exciting to have two talented colts here and hoping to have a third represent Japan. We've been so successful everywhere else; Kentucky is the next stop. It's on my checklist anyway."