All Three Japanese Derby Contenders Headed Home

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 11:06
Link: 
All Three Japanese Derby Contenders Headed Home
Image: 
Description: 

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
The Japanese contingent of Derma Sotogake, Continuar, and Mandarin Hero train ahead of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

Despite powerful wins in the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships and in this year's Dubai World Cup (G1), Team Japan will have to keep waiting on its goal to capture the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Following the scratch of Continuar  due to fitness concerns, aspirations for Derby glory was left with Derma Sotogake  and Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Mandarin Hero  who drew in off of the also-eligibles list following multiple scratches during the week ahead of the race.

Breaking from the 14 hole, Derma Sotogake was away slowly from the gate and got stuck in traffic heading around the final turn and despite making a wide rally, was not able to make up enough ground and settled for sixth. Meanwhile, Mandarin Hero never quite fired and stayed towards the back of the pack before finishing 12th.

At the conclusion of the race the two horses joined a group of four others including Ski Captain (1995), Lani  (2016), Master Fencer  (2019), and Crown Pride  (2022) who have represented Japan in the Derby.

Despite talk of one or more of the horses staying in the States for another shot at winning a Triple Crown race in the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course later this month, all three horses shipped out from Churchill Downs the morning of May 8 and are headed back to Japan, according to social media posts by the track's Japan representative Kate Hunter.

Sign up for