Japan's Master Fencer Settles at Keeneland Before Derby

For Master Fencer's first track experience in Kentucky, he joined about a half-dozen other Thoroughbreds on the Keeneland training track April 26 for a leisurely gallop and walk before returning to the quiet quarantine barn.

Things will change with a planned trip April 29 to Churchill Downs, where Japan-based Master Fencer will wrap up his Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) preparations amid the hubbub of Derby week at the Louisville track. The Keeneland quiet before the Churchill storm—an approach plenty of others have used, including 2016 Derby winner Nyquist —most assuredly was planned by his connections, owner Katsumi Yoshizawa and trainer Koichi Tsunoda.

Tsunoda, a 48-year-old former jockey, is friends with Koji Maeda, owner of Lani, the most recent Japan-based horse to start in the Derby. Overly excited during his Derby preparation, Lani finished ninth in the Derby before settling down for the final two legs of the Triple Crown to finish fifth in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and third in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1). Maeda suggested a stop at Keeneland to allow more time to settle in before moving on to Churchill.

"He advised him to first come here because of their experiences in 2016," said exercise rider and Tsunoda assistant Yosuke Kono on a rainy Friday morning at Keeneland. "Over there at Churchill Downs, Lani was getting kind of crazy. So we brought the horse here first just for four days. We prefer a quiet place."

Master Fencer seemed calm and settled as he took in his surroundings in his first track exercise in the United States. With rain falling throughout the early morning hours in Lexington, the exercise was moved from the main track to the synthetic surface on the five-furlong training track. Shipping agent Mitsuoki Numamoto said Master Fencer likely will gallop on Keeneland's main track in the next day or two.

Master Fencer left Japan April 23, flew to Anchorage, Alaska, and then to Chicago. He did 42 hours in isolated quarantine—no track work—at Arlington International Race Course, then had a seven-hour van ride to Keeneland, where he arrived at about 6 p.m. April 25. His first trip to the track followed Friday at 6:30 a.m.

Kono said Tsunada wants Master Fencer to get acclimated and relaxed off his long trip.

"Because of the shipping, including quarantine and stuff, he's a little stressed mentally," Kono said. "So we haven't done any hard work in the mornings yet. Instead, (Tsunada) wants him to get used to the American (atmosphere), the horses, the track, and so forth. That's the main reason we're at Keeneland."

Yoshizawa owns and operates Yoshizawa Stable—a private training facility with three locations throughout Japan. Yoshizawa's training operation has been responsible for six-time grade 1 winner Gold Ship, 2014 Longines World's Best Racehorse and three-time grade 1-winning Just a Way, and prominent Japanese sire Tanino Gimlet. 

Master Fencer is from the first crop of Just a Way.

Yoshizawa, who often uses the word "American" in his horse names, has been a prominent buyer at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for more than a decade, including the purchase of Master Fencer's dam, the Deputy Minister mare Sexy Zamurai, for $110,000 in 2005. He has purchased horses that he has resold in the U.S., resold in Japan, or opted to race.

Master Fencer, an early nomination to the Triple Crown, earned 19 points on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. Yoshizawa readily accepted when Kate Hunter, the Japan-based recruiter for Churchill Downs and the Triple Crown, called with an invite. Kentucky-bred Lani earned his Derby starting spot through his UAE Derby Sponsored by the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (G2) win, but Master Fencer would be the first Derby starter from the Japan points series.

He also would be the first Japan-bred horse to start in the classic.

"We're more than excited," Kono said. "But his first target is to just get into the race without any problems, issues, or accidents ahead of the Derby. I'm going to get excited after he gets in (the gate)."

Besides Lani, the only other Japan-based runner to start in the Derby was Kentucky-bred Ski Captain, who finished 14th in 1995.