Japan: William Barows holds off Ushba Tesoro in Nippon TV Hai

William Barows, a Grade 2 stakes winner on dirt in Japan earlier this year, proved too tough to catch in Wednesday’s $470,132 Nippon TV Hai Stakes at Funabashi Racecourse in Tokyo, finishing a length in front of Breeders’ Cup Classic hopeful Ushba Tesoro.

Ushba Tesoro won the 2023 Nippon TV Hai.

Derma Sotogake, another potential runner in the BC Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 2, stalked William Barows to the final turn before fading to finish a well-beaten fifth in the dirt race at 1 1/8 miles.

William Barows, sent off at 7-1, led by about a length on the backstretch and extended his margin on the turn. A 6-year-old horse by Mikki Isle, William Barrows led by about four lengths with a furlong remaining under jockey Ryusei Sakai.

Ushba Tesoro, the 2-5 favorite under Yuga Kawada, raced well off the pace and closed with an impressive move through the final quarter-mile to be nearest the front at the finish.

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The Nippon TV Hai Stakes was the first start for Ushba Tesoro and Derma Sotogake since they finished second and sixth behind Laurel River in the $12 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 30.

Prior to that race, Ushba Tesoro was second by a head to the American-trained Senor Buscador in the $20 million Saudi Cup at 1 1/8 miles in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 24. Derma Sotogake was fifth by 2 1/4 lengths.

Ushba Tesoro, who finished fifth, beaten 3 1/4 lengths in the 2023 BC Classic, ended his 2023 season with a win in the Grade 1 Tokyo Daishoten at 1 1/4 miles on dirt at Ooi Racecourse in Japan.

Earlier in 2023, Ushba Tesoro won the Dubai World Cup and was rested through the spring and summer before winning the Nippon TV Hai Stakes.

Derma Sotogake, sixth by eight lengths behind Mage in the 2023 Kentucky Derby, is winless in five starts since the Group 2 UAE Derby in March 2023. He closed from a stalking position to finish a length behind White Abarrio in the BC Classic last November.

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