Japan Road to Kentucky Derby: Contenders in 2025 Hyacinth Stakes

Although the Saudi Derby (G3) lured a trio of Japanese contenders, that hasn’t detracted from the appeal of Saturday night’s Hyacinth S. on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. On the contrary, the metric mile at Tokyo has greater potential to impact the U.S. trail.

For starters, the Hyacinth will deliver a new leader on the Japan Road, with its points structure of 30-15-9-6-3. The disproportionate number of Triple Crown nominees engaged – 80% of the 10-horse field – implies that their connections have some degree of interest in the Churchill Downs invitation. 

But most important of all, several of the Hyacinth contenders look like more plausible Derby prospects than the Saudi adventurers. That’s in contrast to a year ago, when Forever Young opted to take the Saudi route. If Forever Young has a successor in 2025, he’s probably in the Hyacinth. 

Carded as Tokyo’s ninth race (12:25 a.m. ET) late Saturday night, the Hyacinth precedes the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) “Win and You’re In” February (G1) (the 11th race at 1:40 a.m. ET). 

Here’s a one-line summary of the Hyacinth entrants, in post position order:

#1 Happy Man: Hyogo Junior Grand Prix winner was runner-up to Myriad Love in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun, the latest Japan Road race, but that form was shredded in the Saudi Derby.

#2 Vilja Lied: One of two undefeated fillies by Nadal in here for Silk Racing, she’s handily beaten males in both of her outings at Kyoto.

#3 Promised Gene: Silk Racing’s other Nadal filly is likewise 2-for-2 over males, including a Nov. 9 allowance score over the track.

#4 Danon Figo: Into Mischief-Ollie’s Candy colt was an excellent runner-up to Myriad Love on debut before romping in a Kyoto maiden when last seen Oct. 6. 

#5 Dragon: Son of Mind Your Biscuits went turf-to-dirt and crushed a Chukyo maiden by nine lengths. 

#6 Ecoro Azel: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) eighth rebounded in a Nakayama allowance, but it’s unclear whether that was due more to class relief or rather the reversion to sprinting. 

#7 Don in the Mood: One of two not Triple Crown-nominated, he has won two of three in workmanlike fashion as a longshot. 

#8 Admire Daytona: The other non-nominee, who just missed to Luxor Cafe two back, recently returned over this track and trip to break his maiden for fun.

#9 Luxor Cafe: Full brother to champion Cafe Pharoah, by American Pharoah, eked out a course-and-distance maiden in juvenile-record time before powering clear in a Nakayama allowance. 

#10 Taisei Dorado: American Pharoah colt from the family of Gun Runner distanced his foes in a Kyoto newcomers’ race on the bridle.