Forever Young leads formidable Japanese contingent of Triple Crown nominees

Feb 13, 2024 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Judging by the record number of Japanese nominations to the 2024 Triple Crown – nearly four dozen! – the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) could witness historic levels of international participation.

The intense interest this year comes on the heels of three Japanese-based colts qualifying for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Derma Sotogake, who finished sixth at Churchill Downs, later placed a bang-up second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Mandarin Hero was 12th in the Derby, and Continuar had to scratch, but their ability to secure spots in the field has only whetted the appetite.

The top three on the Japan Road leaderboard – unbeaten Forever Young, Aigle Noir, and Amante Bianco – are all nominated, as are points scorers George Tesoro and Satono Phoenix.

Forever Young is following the 'Derma' path

Forever Young is a perfect 3-for-3 so far for trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who famously won two Breeders’ Cup races at Del Mar in 2021. The nattily-attired horseman had his first Derby experience, of sorts, with Continuar, but Forever Young looks like a more formidable candidate.

By a past Yahagi star in Real Steel, and from the immediate family of current Derby contender Sierra Leone, Forever Young captured a newcomers’ race at Kyoto and the JBC Nisai Yushun in his stakes debut. But he was even more dynamic when stepping onto the Japan Road in the Dec. 13 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun, repelling a bid from Aigle Noir to roll by seven lengths.

Forever Young’s next target is the Feb. 24 Saudi Derby (G3) on Saudi Cup Day, then the UAE Derby (G2) on Dubai World Cup (G1) night. That’s the same itinerary followed by Derma Sotogake, the 2022 Zen-Nippon winner, and Yahagi’s own Continuar.

Aigle Noir vs. Amante Bianco at Oi on Wednesday

Derma Sotogake’s trainer, Hidetaka Otonashi, is likewise back on the trail this year with Aigle Noir. From the first crop of U.S. Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar, Aigle Noir descends from the same female line as the first-ever Japanese-based runner in the Derby, Ski Captain (14th behind Thunder Gulch in 1995).

Aigle Noir won three in a row on dirt, including a Tokyo allowance score over Amante Bianco and the Hyogo Junior Grand Prix at Sonoda, edging Satono Phoenix. His streak ended in the aforementioned Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun, where he was best of the rest behind the impressive Forever Young.

A homebred from the powerful Shadai operation, Aigle Noir is entered in a race at Oi on Wednesday, the Kumotori Sho, that also features Amante Bianco. The about 1 1/8-mile test had an impact on the 2023 Derby; Mandarin Hero finished second here before ultimately advancing to Churchill Downs.

Amante Bianco was last seen landing the Nov. 25 Cattleya S., the opening leg of the Japan Road. Amante Bianco’s rare white coat makes him a fan favorite, just like his close relative, champion filly Sodashi. A son of Henny Hughes, best known for siring Hall of Famer Beholder, Amante Bianco sports the colors of Silk Racing, which campaigned the phenomenal Equinox.

WHAT AN EXCITING KENTUCKY DERBY PROSPECT!! 🦄

AMANTE BIANCO wins the Cattleya Sho and earns @KentuckyDerby points for @christo68914587 @SILKHCofficial! 🤍

Will a pure white horse win the Run for the Roses? 🌹@keibakate | #アマンテビアンコ | #ジャパンカップ | #競馬 pic.twitter.com/KnxMO5KFGS

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) November 25, 2023

George Tesoro to Feb. 17 allowance

Cattleya runner-up George Tesoro has since lined up in a Feb. 3 allowance at Tokyo, only to lose his rider in the initial strides as the odds-on favorite. Representing the same owner as Dubai World Cup hero Ushba Tesoro – Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings – George Tesoro is on the early entries list for the next Japan Road race, Sunday’s Hyacinth S.

Update Feb. 15: George Tesoro did not go to the Hyacinth, but opted for an allowance race at Tokyo Saturday.

Satono Phoenix to Saudi

Saudi Derby-bound Satono Phoenix was slightly unlucky to miss on the head-bob to Aigle Noir two starts back, and even unluckier last time in the Zen-Nippon. Stumbling when appearing to be bumped by a foe out of the gate, the Henny Hughes colt ended up getting pinched back into a poor position. He found it difficult to make up ground from there but boxed on for fifth. Although Satono Phoenix has to improve considerably to challenge Forever Young in Saudi, a clean trip can put him in a more favorable light.

With most of the Japan Road principals opting for other spots, the leaderboard will get a total overhaul through the upcoming Hyacinth and the final leg, the March 23 Fukuryu S. at Nakayama.

So who else might pop up? Check out Part II for more Japanese nominees to follow.