Mandarin Hero, King Russell Ready for Their Derby Shot

A year ago, a late scratch opened the door for Rich Strike  to run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. It turned into a fortuitous set of circumstances as the Keen Ice   colt turned his 80-1 odds on its head. 

Since the morning of May 4, there have been four scratches from the Derby field giving renewed hope of glory May 6 for late entrants. Two of those, Mandarin Hero  and King Russell , are hoping to emulate last year's Derby victor.

King Russell is owned by Brereton Jones, who founded Airdrie Stud, and Naber Racing. 

"Everybody knows absolutely anything can and will happen in the Kentucky Derby," said Airdrie Stud vice president Bret Jones. "All that we know is that we've got a horse that seems to be doing about as well as he possibly could and we really think he's deserving of a chance to show off a little bit on Saturday."

King Russell was able to join the field after Continuar  was withdrawn late Thursday. His trainer Yoshito Yahagi said the colt "has not been able to reach the peak fitness required to take on a race as tough as the Kentucky Derby."

Both Jones and King Russell's trainer Ron Moquett expressed disappointment for the connections of the horses scratched from the race.

"I know how hard it is. ... There's not anybody in the gates that don't feel a little bit (for the connections). We're hyper-focused on trying to help our horse achieve their goal, but there is still a moment of 'I hate that for them'," said Moquett.

When Lord Miles  was scratched Thursday as a result of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's decision, it created the opportunity for Mandarin Hero to get his hoof in the door. 

"We were preparing for the Kentucky Derby as if we were running, but in terms of actually getting in, it still hasn't sunk in, so emotionally, I haven't had time to process it," said exercise rider Yuji Horita via a translator.

Among Mandarin Hero's connections, trainer Terunobu Fujita and jockey Kazushi Kimura are not expected to arrive until late Friday or early Saturday. 

Mandarin Hero finished second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) which had two now-scratched Derby contestants, Practical Move  and Skinner . Showing he can run with high-caliber competition has created optimism for Saturday.

"I've tried my best to bring the horse to Churchill in peak physical condition," Horita said. "We just hope he does well and just hope we prepared him enough."

The same test by fire applies to King Russell, who will see fellow Arkansas Derby (G1) combatants Angel of Empire , Reincarnate , and Rocket Can  once again when they are loaded into the starting gate.