Leparoux takes Japanese colt Master Fencer out for a spin
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Japanese invader Master Fencer is a mystery horse for handicappers in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, though he is now less of an uncertainty to his jockey, Julien Leparoux, after he became acquainted with the colt during training on Tuesday at Churchill Downs.
Leparoux jogged, galloped, and paddock-schooled his mount, and came away encouraged by how Master Fencer took in the setting at Churchill Downs, where he was one of the most watched horses of the morning. This marked the first time Master Fencer had trained at Churchill. He entered quarantine after a trip from Japan, then stayed for a few days at Keeneland.
“He’s a pro,” Leparoux said. “He doesn’t care about anything, the cameras, the people.”
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Master Fencer qualified for the Kentucky Derby via Churchill’s race series in Japan, when three horses that scored more qualifying points bypassed the Derby. A closer, he was most recently the runner-up in the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse March 31 over a dirt track.
“Over there the track is sand, totally different than here,” said Leparoux, regularly among the leading riders at Churchill.
Master Fencer, expected to be a longshot, will be the 11th Derby mount for Leparoux, whose closest finish came in 2017 when he rode Classic Empire to be fourth.
“Hopefully we bring a big surprise on Derby Day,” he said.