Final Japanese Road to Kentucky Derby race held at Nakayama
Jasper Great, 10th of 11 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar last November, is a projected starter in Saturday’s $280,580 Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse in Japan, the final qualifying race in that nation’s series for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7.
One berth in the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby is available to a Japanese-based runner through a four-race qualifying series that began last fall. None of the runners who earned points in the first three races are among the nominees for the Fukuryu Stakes, which is run at 1 1/8 miles.
The winner of the Fukuryu Stakes receives 40 qualifying points, which would clinch a Kentucky Derby, if chosen.
Jasper Great, a Kentucky-bred colt by Arrogate, was last of seven in the $334,300 Wakagoma Stakes at 108-1 at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Chukyo Racecourse on Jan. 22 in his most recent start.
The field for the Fukuryu Stakes includes two undefeated runners in the filly Delicada and colt Ho O Roulette, who have both won twice. This will be the stakes debut for the improving colt Notturno, who has won his last two starts in a maiden race and an allowance race at 1 1/8 miles at Hanshin Racecourse since Feb. 12.
Ho O Roulette, Jasper Great, and Line of Soul, a winner of 1 of 5 starts, are the three nominees for the Fukuryu Stakes that were nominated to the Triple Crown earlier this year. A supplemental nomination is available for $6,000 by Monday.
Three Japanese-based horses have run in the Kentucky Derby. Master Fencer, sixth in 2019, had the best result.