As the weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby dwindle, the excitement and anticipation continue to build. The annual gathering of the world’s best horses and jockeys at Churchill Downs is a spectacle, attracting fans and spectators from around the globe.
While many contenders come from within the United States, the field is also open to international competitors. And in 2023, two talented colts from Japan will be making their bid for glory.
These two up-and-coming colts have been carefully bred, trained, and prepared for the challenge and have already shown their impressive skills in races across the globe. In this article, we’ll introduce you to these exciting new challengers and explore what sets them apart from the rest of the field.
Derma Sotogake
Derma Sotogake is a three-year-old colt bred in Japan by the renowned Shadai Farm, which has a long history of breeding successful racehorses. He is sired by the stallion Mind Your Biscuits, a two-time winner of the Dubai Golden Shaheen, and his dam is a Japanese mare named Amour Poesie.
The Japan-based colt made his racing debut in June 2022 in a two-year-old newcomer race at Hanshin Racecourse, where he finished sixth. He broke his maiden in his next start at Kokura Racecourse in August, landing in fourth place.
The colt’s next start was in September 2022 at a maiden race in Kokura Racecourse, where he finished third. Since then, he has won two more maiden races in Japan and the Mochinoki Sho horse race in Hanshin.
In February 2023, Derma Sotogake ran in the Grade 3 Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. He finished in third place. Despite not winning the Saudi Derby, Derma Sotogake’s performance in the race drew attention from many racing enthusiasts, as he had proven his ability to compete at a higher level.
In March 2023, the colt competed in the Grade 2 UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse, finishing first. Derma Sotogake’s success in the UAE Derby marked a significant milestone in his career, as he had now won a prestigious international race.
The win also earned him 100 points toward the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, set to take place in May 2023. With his victory in the UAE Derby, Derma Sotogake became one of the top contenders for the Kentucky Derby, according to some experts in horse racing and even FanDuel’s Kentucky derby contenders list.
Continuar
Continuar is a three-year-old colt bred in Japan by Lake Villa Farm. His sire, Drefong, was a champion sprinter in the United States, winning multiple Grade 1 races, including the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Continuar’s dam, Pan de Ring, was also a successful racehorse in Japan.
The young colt made his racing debut in October 2022 in the two-year-old newcomer race at Hanshin Racecourse, where he finished first. His next race was in the Mochinoki Sho race at Hanshin Racecourse, where he finished second.
Continuar broke his stakes race at Tokyo Racecourse in November 2022, winning first place. He stepped up to graded stakes, finishing fifth in the Grade 3 Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. The colt’s next race was at Meydan Racecourse, where he finished third in the Grade 2 UAE Derby.
The three-year-old colt’s performance in the UAE Derby was impressive, as he faced tough competition from top-class horses worldwide. The points he earned in that race have put him in contention for a spot in the Kentucky Derby, one of the most prestigious horse races in the world.
As the countdown to the Kentucky Derby begins, horse racing fans and enthusiasts will keep a close eye on Continuar’s progress. Will he be able to live up to the hype and become a Triple Crown champion? Only time will tell.
Japan’s Influence on the Kentucky Derby
Japanese horses have significantly impacted the Kentucky Derby in terms of their performance and influence on breeding and training methods. The first Japan-bred horse to participate in the Kentucky Derby was Ski Captain in 1995, and since then, several other Japan-bred horses have competed in the race.
One of the most notable Japan-bred horses to compete in the Kentucky Derby was Lani, who finished ninth in 2016. Lani’s participation in the race generated a lot of excitement in Japan and helped to raise the profile of horse racing in the country.
The participation of Japan-bred horses in the Kentucky Derby holds great cultural significance for Japan. Horse racing is a popular sport in Japan, and the opportunity for Japanese horses to compete internationally is a source of great pride for the country.
The success of Japan-bred horses in the Kentucky Derby will help raise the profile of Japanese horse racing and further cement Japan’s place as a major player in the global horseracing industry.
Conclusion
The significance of the participation of Derma Sotogake and Continuar in the Kentucky Derby goes beyond just their performance in the race. It highlights the growing international appeal of horse racing and the role that different countries and cultures play in shaping the industry.
It also underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion in sports and its potential to unite people across borders and cultures.
