2020 Kentucky Derby: Four Japanese challengers to follow

The 2019-2020 Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby kicks off with the Cattleya Sho at on November 23, which means it’s time to start looking abroad for potential 2020 Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders.

Who will follow in the hoofprints of Lani and Master Fencer as the latest Japanese challenger in the Run for the Roses? Here are a few names to follow as the series gets underway.

Danon Pharaoh

A son of 2015 Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, out of 2010 Santa Anita Oaks (G1) winner Crisp, Danon Pharaoh boasts a thoroughly American pedigree. After he finished second in his debut going 1,600 meters at Tokyo on October 26, Danon Pharaoh improved to break his maiden in gate-to-wire fashion over the same track and distance November 10.

In both his debut and his maiden win, Danon Pharaoh recorded solid times for a juvenile at Tokyo (1:37.4 and 1:38.5, respectively), and his finishing fractions of :36.8 and :36.2 are likewise excellent. Dirt tracks in Japan are typically sandy and slow.

Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, best known for his work with globetrotting group 1 winners Lys Gracieux and Real Steel, Danon Pharaoh could likewise be bound for an international campaign if he fares well on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Dieu du Vin

The horse who defeated Danon Pharaoh on October 26, Dieu du Vin, is also a promising colt. A son of multiple group 1 winner Declaration of War, out of a Tapit mare, Dieu du Vin is stoutly bred and had no trouble rolling past Danon Pharaoh in their debut, when he drew off to win by 2 1/2 lengths after he tracked the early pace.

Dieu du Vin ran fast, with a finishing time of 1:37.00, and sprinted the final 600 meters in :36.2 over a muddy track. His final time missed the juvenile track record at Tokyo by just four-fifths of a second. Declaration of War was primarily a turf horse and has sired similar types so far at stud, including recent Melbourne Cup (G1) winner Vow and Declare, but don’t forget Declaration of War also finished a close third in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on dirt.

With Japan’s leading jockey, Christophe Lemaire, in his corner, Dieu du Vin looms as a primary challenger to Danon Pharaoh on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Nile River

Another son of American Pharoah, Nile River was a well-measured debut winner going 1,600 meters at Tokyo on November 9. After he tracked the pace, Nile River finished the final 600 meters in :36.5 to wear down pacesetter Tsukimade Todoke and prevail by a half-length in 1:39.1.

Produced from the Smart Strike mare Jeweliana, Nile River didn’t run quite as fast as Danon Pharaoh the following day, but he did what was necessary to secure the victory. Lemaire was in the saddle, but if Nile River is going to progress down the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the jockey will have to make a choice between Nile River or Dieu du Vin.

Newton Tesoro

Although Newton Tesoro is a maiden, he has shown excellent closing speed in two second-place finishes. After he come home second at 1,400 meters on October 15 (finishing the final 600 meters in :35.9), Newton Tesoro stretched out to a mile and gamely chased home Danon Pharaoh at Tokyo, where he came in second by 1 1/4 lengths, with a come-home time of :35.7.

With his strong turn of foot, Newton Tesoro is a candidate to thrive at classic distances. A son of Distorted Humor (sire of 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide), out of a mare by Malibu Moon (sire of 2013 Derby winner Orb), Newton Tesoro is definitely bred top and bottom to handle 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May.