T O Password – Kentucky Derby Context

Unbeaten from two starts, T O Password will try to carry his speed all the way in the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1). The bay colt captured his career debut at about 1 1/8 miles in frontrunning manner and stepped up for the Fukuryu S. at the same distance 11 weeks later. Overlooked at 13-1 in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series race, T O Password led all the way, taking pressure on the far turn before spurting away to a clear advantage in the upper stretch, and he held by a head after getting a little weary late. The up-and-coming sophomore will be the second Japan Road invitee to run in the Kentucky Derby, with Master Fencer winding up sixth in 2019, and he appears to favor a route of ground. But the competition T O Password has faced looks suspect and his inexperience makes it a daunting task. Leonatus (1883) is the only horse to win the Kentucky Derby in their third start.

Owner: T O Password will be the first Kentucky Derby starter for Tomoya Ozasa. His runners carry the “T O” initials in their name.

Trainer: After working as an assistant to prominent Japanese trainer Takayuki Yasuda, Daisuke Takayanagi went out on his own in 2018. He conditioned 2021 Japanese champion dirt horse T O Keynes for Ozasa, and T O Password will be his first Kentucky Derby starter.

Jockey: A Japanese native, Kazushi Kimura launched his riding career at Woodbine in 2018 and earned Sovereign and Eclipse Awards for leading apprentice. The 24-year-old has been the leading rider at Woodbine the last three years, and Kimura will pick up the mount aboard T O Password in the Kentucky Derby. It will be his second appearance, guiding Mandarin Hero to a 12th last year.

Breeder/Sales: T O Password was bred in Japan by Yanagawa Bokujo.

Sire: By 2015 Japanese champion dirt horse Copano Rickey, who hails from the male sire line of great sire and 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness (G1) winner Sunday Silence, T O Password is from his sire’s third crop.

Dam: T O Password is out of T O Rachel, a daughter of top Japanese sire King Kamehameha, who has been responsible for champions on dirt and turf. And he’s an accomplished broodmare sire, with 2023 Dubai World Cup (G1) Ushba Tesoro being out of one of King Kamehameha’s daughters.

Brisnet Speed: N/A
Brisnet Late Pace: N/A