It is increasingly doubtful that a Japanese-based runner will compete in this year’s Kentucky Derby on May 6. Epicharis, the runner-up in the United Arab Emirates Derby on Saturday, has been removed from consideration by his connections, and the only other two prospects who could be invited by Churchill Downs are unlikely to participate, according to the Japan Racing Association.

There is no denying that Kendall Hansen has put in the legwork to help prove out his namesake stallion, the champion juvenile Hansen, in his lone U.S. crop before being sold to Korea in late 2013.

The northern Kentucky-based pain-management doctor expanded his broodmare band to breed or co-breed 37 of Hansen’s 102 registered foals in his debut crop. Twenty-five of those horses would later be offered at auction by the doctor himself, who was often in attendance with the stallion’s collection of trophies earned during his racing career.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – With McCraken coming off an eight-week layoff as he goes into his final Kentucky Derby prep, trainer Ian Wilkes sent his pupil out for a six-furlong work Monday intended to “put some bottom in him.” McCraken responded by blitzing his workmate through the six furlongs in 1:13.40 in his penultimate move before the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes on April 8.

“Very pleased,” the trainer said immediately afterward.

Hence put himself in the gate for the Kentucky Derby on Sunday, when he closed from next to last for a 3 3/4-length win over Conquest Mo Money in the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby. He also gave his New Mexico-based rider, Alfredo Juarez Jr., the richest win of his career.

“I’ve won some good races, but this one is very special,” said Juarez, who was aboard for Calumet Farm and trainer Steve Asmussen.

FLORENCE, Ky. – Kendall Hansen couldn’t help himself. The pain-management doctor known in racing circles for his outlandish tendencies got down on his knees to kiss the Turfway Park ground Saturday just minutes after his longshot colt, Fast and Accurate, pulled a stunning 24-1 upset in the 46th running of the Grade 3, $500,000 Spiral Stakes, the annual Turfway showcase.

Hansen said he has a far greater appreciation for horse racing since his namesake champion, Hansen, was sold to Korean interests in late 2013.

In 2014, when Joe Sharp was working as an assistant for trainer Mike Maker, owner Brad Grady gave him the financial backing to go out on his own and begin claiming horses. Next Saturday at Fair Grounds, Sharp and Grady will send out two horses in the $1 million Louisiana Derby, including likely favorite Girvin.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Practical Joke moved a step closer toward starting in the $1 million Florida Derby by working five furlongs in 1:00.90 in company with stablemate Shagaf at Palm Meadows on Saturday. Practical Joke was one of more than a half-dozen possible Florida Derby starters to work throughout the local area Saturday.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Thunder Snow was a very good horse racing on the European turf last year, and he is doing pretty well so far on dirt.

After winning the UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan Racecourse in his dirt debut, Thunder Snow ran out a dead-game nose winner over the Japanese colt Epicharis on Saturday in the Group 1, $2 million UAE Derby.

Thunder Snow gave jockey Christophe Soumillon his second straight win on the card, following his Gold Cup triumph on Vazirabad, and became the eighth UAE Derby winner for Saeed bin Suroor, who trains Thunder Snow for Godolphin.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – State of Honor, flying a bit under the radar on the Kentucky Derby trail despite finishing behind only McCraken and Tapwrit in his last two starts at Tampa Bay Downs, is likely headed back to Gulfstream Park for the $1 million Florida Derby next Saturday.

State of Honor was scheduled to have his final prep for the Grade 1 Florida Derby on Friday, but a sloppy track at Palm Meadows forced assistant trainer Norm Casse to postpone the breeze until Saturday.

Horses from major winter meets around the country will converge on New Mexico on Sunday to chase after the $800,000 purse of the Grade 3 Sunland Derby and its 85 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.

Bronze Age, a member of Daily Racing Form’s Derby Watch top 20, represents Santa Anita, along with Irap and Kimbear. Hedge Fund has flown in from Gulfstream Park. Balandeen, Dilettante, Hence, and Oxford Lane shipped over from Oaklawn, and Shareholder Value and Total Tap are in from Fair Grounds.