sotogake skin concluding his serious preparations for the Kentucky Derby (G1) with a half-mile move centered on May 2 at Churchill Downs as he tries to make history in the 1 1/4 mile classic on May 6.
The school for 20 years now has a pair of horses aiming to become the first Japan-based runner to win the Kentucky Derby at Derma Sotogake by Hiroyuki Asanuma and Lion Race Horse Co’s continue respective winner and third-place finisher in the UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan.
As he works towards that goal, Derma Sotogake finished Tuesday’s four-track race with a score of: 49 3/5 on the fast track, 13th fastest out of 20 in the distance at Churchill.
Masanari Tanaka, assistant coach Hidetaka Otonashi, said: “The gymnast says he feels very good. “I think we’ll go to the Kentucky Derby in good shape.”
Since winning the 1,900-meter UAE Derby (about 1 3/16 miles), Derma Sotogake arrived in Churchill early, where he has worked four times since April 19. After losing his first three starts. fairy, son of your cookie heart in October when he ended the season with three straight wins in Japan, capped by a narrow win at Zennippon Nisai Yushun at about a mile.
He then finished third by the same gap in the Saudi Cup (G3) to open his 3-year-old season before winning the UAE Derby by a 5 and a half margin, completing it. superior ratio. Tanaka says Derma Sotogake is classy enough for him to figure out how to compete at one mile but will take it to the next level when he reaches beyond that distance.
Listed at 10-1 on the light line for Saturday’s 1/4 mile test, Derma Sotogake appears to be one of the early pace horses in the race. Tanaka said driver Christophe Lemaire, who is also on board in Dubai, will have the opportunity to see how soon competitors inside approach the track. No matter where he settles soon, Tanaka wants to see Derma Sotogake recover.
“He jumped out of the gate (last race) and he came out really sharp,” said Tanaka. “We expect him to do the same on Saturday and come out the gate sharp.”
Also on Tuesday, coach Yoshito Yahagi, wearing a jacket commemorating his 2021 Breeders’ Cup winners Princess Lorraine And Love Only You , admits that he wishes he had had more time to prepare Continuar for the Kentucky Derby. However, he believes he has a good horse who will face the additional challenge of breaking the outer column in field 20.
“For my career and Japanese racing history, it’s going to be really big,” Yahagi said when asked what winning the Derby means to him. “I’m really honored to be in this big event, which is the Kentucky Derby. I’m really lucky.”
