Japan: At least one more spot for a home-trained horse in the Kentucky Derby has potentially been opened up with news that Japan’s UAE Derby runner-up Dura Erede will not be making the trip, while European contender Brave Emperor is also unlikely.
Derma Sotogake and Continuar, first and third respectively in the UAE Derby, are intended runners at Churchill Downs. Mandarin Hero, who runs in the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, is also Triple Crown-nominated.
However, Dura Erede will stay at home and return to turf to run in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) on May 28. His sire Duramente won the Classic in 2015.
He was a shock 90-1 winner of the G1 Hopeful Stakes under Bauyrzhan Murzabayev on grass on his final start as a two-year-old before coming second at Meydan, where he ran on well despite being well beaten by all-the-way winner Derma Sotogake as Japan claimed a 1-2-3-4 in the $1 million event.
“I was planning to go to the Kentucky Derby,” said trainer Manabu Ikezoe. “But after the race I was worried about a ball joint so I decided not to overdo it with him.
“If things go well, I will aim for the Derby,” added Ikezoe, speaking to Nikkansports.com.
Dura Erede’s compatriots Derma Sotogake and Continuar are both guaranteed a place in the Kentucky Derby, the former having earned 100 qualifying points in Dubai, while the latter gets his spot via the Japan Road.
According to the Daily Racing Form, Brave Emperor – who topped the European Road to the Kentucky Derby – will also not run at Churchill Downs unless owners Middleham Park can find a partner to share the costs or a buyer can be found.
Speaking to DRF, Middleham Park racing manager Tom Palin said: “We won’t be taking it on our own – the costs are very big. Head is having to overrule the heart.
“If we do get a partner on board, or if someone wants to buy the whole horse, he could go over.”
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