Danon Pharaoh scores huge upset over Cafe Pharoah in Japan Dirt Derby

Danon Pharaoh, a Japanese-bred colt by American Pharoah, had an ideal trip to win Wednesday’s $711,694 Japan Dirt Derby at Oi Racecourse in Tokyo, the final race in the Kentucky Derby qualifying series in that country.

Danon Pharaoh ($73 in American pools) easily beat the strongly favored Cafe Pharoah, the previously unbeaten Kentucky-bred colt who faded from contention in the final three furlongs and finished seventh, beaten more than 12 lengths.

Cafe Pharoah still leads the standings of Japan-based candidates for the Kentucky Derby with 70 qualifying points. Danon Pharaoh earned 40 points with the win in the Japan Dirt Derby, and is in second place.

One berth in the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5 is available to a runner from the Japan series of prep races.

Danon Pharaoh won his first stakes in his eighth start in the Japan Dirt Derby, run at 1 1/4 miles. Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, Danon Pharaoh stalked pacesetter Daimei Corrida to the stretch before winning by 1 3/4 lengths. Daimei Corrida finished five lengths clear of third-place finisher Kitano Octopus.

Cafe Pharoah was third on the turn, but was no factor in the stretch despite urging from jockey Damian Lane. He was beaten for the first time in his fourth start.

Danon Pharaoh, trained by Yoshito Yahagi for Danox Co., Ltd., has won 3 of 8 starts. The Japan Dirt Derby was his fourth appearance in a stakes.

The colt has an American pedigree. Danon Pharaoh is out of Crisp, an El Corredor mare who won the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes and Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks in 2010 when trained by John Sadler.

Crisp was listed as sold for $350,000 to Katsumi Yoshida at the 2016 Keeneland November breeding stock sale while in foal to American Pharoah, the mating that produced Danon Pharaoh.