Fukuryu Stakes winner T O Password has accepted the Japanese invite to the Kentucky Derby (G1). Churchill Downs‘ Kevin Kerstein reported the news on X from Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby representative Kate Hunter.
Per Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby representative @KeibaKate, the connections of T O Password have accepted invitation to compete in the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. https://t.co/y0IvsNWeH8
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) March 26, 2024
T O Password earned 40 points for his Fukuryu Stakes victory March 23, which was enough to earn the top spot in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and earn the invite.
KIECKHEFER: T O Password Earns Free Pass to the Kentucky Derby
This will be the third consecutive year in which a Japanese horse will participate in the Run for the Roses. Crown Pride finished 13th in 2022. In 2023, Derma Sotogake finished sixth while Mandarin Hero finished 12th. All three qualified through the main Road to the Kentucky Derby series.
The only previous horse to accept the invite and run in the race was Master Fencer , sixth in the 2019 Derby. Continuar accepted the invite in 2023 but scratched days before the race.
A second Japanese horse could enter the Kentucky Derby starting gate, as Saudi Derby (G3) winner Forever Young is expected to be the favorite March 30 in the UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan. A win would give him 100 qualifying points.
T O Password is owned by Tomoya Ozasa and trained by Daisuke Takayanagi. He was ridden in the Fukuryu by Katsuma Sameshima and is 2-for-2 in his career.
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