Japan: Cafe Pharoah gets second win Kentucky Derby qualifier

Cafe Pharoah strengthened his status as the leading Japanese contender for the Kentucky Derby with a decisive five-length win in Sunday’s Grade 3 Unicorn Stakes at a mile at Tokyo Racecourse.

Ridden by Damian Lane, Cafe Pharoah (the even-money favorite in Japan) closed from a stalking position in the one-turn race to take the lead in the stretch. Cafe Pharoah quickly drew away from 15 rivals to remain unbeaten in three starts.

Dieu du Vin finished second, 1 3/4 lengths in front of Kenshinko.

Full Flat, winner of the $800,000 Saudi Derby in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 29, finished sixth, beaten eight lengths. Full Flat is a Kentucky-bred colt by Speightstown.

Cafe Pharoah won his second stakes in the $620,825 Unicorn Stakes, four months after a win in his stakes debut in the Hyacinth Stakes at a mile at Tokyo Racecourse in February.

The win leaves Cafe Pharoah with 70 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, well clear of any active Kentucky Derby prospects in Japan.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2020: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

There is one remaining stakes on the schedule of prep races in Japan for the Kentucky Derby – the Japan Dirt Derby on July 8 at Oi Racecourse. The horse with the most points in the series earns a berth in the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs.

Cafe Pharoah earned 40 points for his win in the Unicorn and 30 in the Hyacinth Stakes. Trained by Koichi Nishikawa, Cafe Pharoah is a Kentucky-bred by American Pharoah who was purchased for $475,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in training in March 2019.