Derma Sotogake punches ticket to Kentucky Derby with UAE Derby win

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Dirt racing is a second-class citizen in Japan, where turf is king, but Japanese dirt horses are doing just fine in Dubai. A year after Japan-based Crown Pride won the UAE Derby, Japan-based Derma Sotogake dominated the 2023 renewal, breaking from the rail and leading from start to finish under Christophe Lemaire en route to a 5 1/2-length victory.

It wasn’t just the winner. Japanese horses also finished second, third, and fourth. Dura Erede, who looked like he had Derma Sotogake measured while tracking him around the second turn, could not stick with Derma Sotogake when Lemaire asked his mount for more with three-sixteenths of a mile left to race. To be fair, Lemaire didn’t have to ask for much. Derma Sotogake pulled clear mainly under his own courage and ran out a very easy winner over a racing surface that might have been carrying speed.

“It’s good to go to the front on this dirt track,” Lemaire said. “I didn’t have to push the horse to make the lead, he travelled really well, and he accelerated.”

Dura Erede had 4 1/2 lengths on third-place Continuar, who was 3 1/2 lengths better than Perriere as the 13-horse field finished spread out all over the homestretch. Worcester, who shipped from California for trainer Bob Baffert, broke poorly, made a mid-race move while wide, but faded badly and finished 11th. Two Doug O’Neill-trained horses who have been in Dubai since February, Tall Boy and Ah Jeez, finished ninth and 13th, respectively.

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The Grade 2, $1 million UAE Derby is a major Kentucky Derby qualifier, with Derby points distributed 100-40-30-20-10 to the first five finishers. The top two from last year’s UAE Derby went to Kentucky and the first two home Saturday are likely to show up at Churchill Downs, too. Asked if he planned to send his horse to the Derby, Derma Sotogake’s owner, Hiroyuki Osanuma, said “Of course.” The racing manager for Dura Erede’s owner, Three H Racing, said connections of this colt also planned a trip to Churchill Downs.

Derma Sotogake ($14.50) has run only in dirt races, winning three times in Japan before finishing third last month going a one-turn mile in the Saudi Derby. Trained by Hidetaka Otonashi, Derma Sotogake is a son of Mind Your Biscuits – a two-time winner of the Dubai Golden Shaheen – and out of Amour Poesi, by Neo Universe. He put his speed to good use Saturday evening at Meydan.

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