Japanese Duo, Sun Thunder Breeze at Churchill for Derby

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Japanese Duo, Sun Thunder Breeze at Churchill for Derby
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Continuar leads Derma Sotogake during the early portion of a joint breeze at Churchill Downs

Three horses pointed toward the Kentucky Derby (G1), including two from Japan, plus a possible Kentucky Oaks (G1) entrant, worked April 26 on a fast track at Churchill Downs.

Hiroyuki Asanuma's UAE Derby (G2) winner Derma Sotogake  worked five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 and was partnered with Lion Race Horse's Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby invitee Continuar , who worked a half-mile in :50.

Breaking off a half-mile before the finish, Continuar was three lengths in front under Kazunari Yoshida. By the head of the stretch, Derma Sotogake had drawn even under Masatoshi Segawa and was clear at the wire.

Fractions for Derma Sotogake were :25 4/5, :37 1/5, and :48 3/5. Continuar, reluctant to switch leads until late, was clocked in :13 2/5 and :26 2/5 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:04 2/5. Both horses were urged by their riders down the stretch, with Derma Sotogake providing the stronger response.

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Kate Hunter, the Japan Racing Association representative for the Kentucky Derby, said that both riders were happy with the works. Both horses will walk in the quarantine barn for international horses April 27.

Hunter said a third Japanese horse, Hiroaki Arai's Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Mandarin Hero , would arrive at Churchill April 27. The Terunobu Fujita trainee, 24th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, needs four horses to bow out of the current Derby lineup to gain a spot in the 20-horse field. Entries and post positions for the May 6 Kentucky Derby are established May 1. Also-eligibles can draw into the race until Kentucky Oaks Day, May 5.

"He's going to try to Rich Strike  it," Hunter said on a National Thoroughbred Racing Association media conference call, referring to how the 2022 Kentucky Derby upset winner awaited late defections and a scratch to draw into the race from the also-eligible list.

Mandarin Hero worked Wednesday at Santa Anita Park, breezing five furlongs in 1:04 3/5.

The May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1) is an option for him if he does not gain entrance into the Derby.

Yoshito Yahagi, trainer of Continuar, is scheduled to arrive in Louisville April 24 with Hidetaka Otonashi, trainer of Derma Sotogake, due in the following day.

Also Wednesday, R.T Racing Stable and Cypress Creek Equine's Sun Thunder  worked a half-mile on his own in :48 3/5 with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard. 

"He pretty much just clipped 12s the whole way around," Hernandez said. "They added blinkers to him this morning, and that seems to make him want to go forward, and kind of get into things a little earlier than he did before the blinkers."

Earlier this year, Hernandez rode the Kenny McPeek-trained son of Into Mischief   to a fifth-place finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2), after crossing the wire second behind Angel of Empire  in the Risen Star (G2). 

Sun Thunder Horses training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 26, 2023.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Sun Thunder breezes under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. April 26 at Churchill Downs

Richard Bahde's Taxed , runner-up in the Fantasy (G3) for trainer Randy Morse and No. 15 on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard, worked a half-mile in :47 3/5 under jockey Rafael Bejarano. She currently needs one defection to gain entry into the 14-horse starting gate.

One Kentucky Derby work is scheduled Thursday at Churchill Downs, coming from Frank Sumpter's Wild On Ice . Jockey Ken Tohill is flying to Louisville Wednesday and will be aboard for the work for trainer Joel Marr.

Andrew and Rania Warren's Raise Cain  is scheduled to breeze at Keeneland in preparation for the Kentucky Derby for trainer Ben Colebrook.

The Kentucky Oaks work schedule Thursday is much heavier with nine breezes slated.