Looking to 'change history,' Japan's Derma Sotogake, Continuar work toward Kentucky Derby

Jason Frakes, Louisville Courier Journal
·4 min read

Veterans of the Churchill Downs backside are accustomed to the training routines of American horses, so the unique customs of the two Kentucky Derby hopefuls from Japan — Derma Sotogake and Continuar — have created quite the stir the past few days.

Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks hopefuls have a special training window at Churchill Downs from 7:30-7:45 a.m. each morning but can take to the track at any time their trainers please.

While the majority of American horses hit the track at 7:30 a.m., get their work done and immediately head back to their barns, that is not the routine for Derma Sotogake and Continuar.

“You can set your watch at 6:50 every day when Derma Sotogake and Continuar walk on the racetrack to begin their long training sessions,” longtime Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch Tweeted on Wednesday morning.

As Welsch noted, Derma Sotogake and Continuar were on the track at 6:50 a.m. Wednesday and didn’t leave until 8:05 a.m. Much of their time was spent in the chute just past the first turn.

Kentucky Derby contender Continuar during a workout at Churchill Downs on Monday morning, April 24, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. The trainer is Yoshito Yahagi.
Kentucky Derby contender Continuar during a workout at Churchill Downs on Monday morning, April 24, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. The trainer is Yoshito Yahagi.

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“It’s the normal style in Japan to stay out of the stall this much,” Derma Sotogake assistant trainer Masanari Tanaka said through interpreter Kate Hunter. “The idea is to keep them moving and then they’ll eat up a lot when they get back to the stables.”

Assistant trainer Masanari Tanaka worked Derma Sotogake Wednesday April 25, 2023 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Assistant trainer Masanari Tanaka worked Derma Sotogake Wednesday April 25, 2023 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Derma Sotogake and Continuar were among three Derby hopefuls to breeze Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs. Derma Sotogake, winner of the UAE Derby, went five furlongs in 1:01.40. Continuar, third in the UAE Derby, went four furlongs in 50 seconds.

Derma Sotogake and Continuar are looking to become just the third and fourth Japan-breds ever to compete in the Kentucky Derby. Master Fencer was the first in 2019, finishing sixth. Crown Pride was among the pace-setters last year before fading to 13th.

Horses coming from the UAE Derby are 0 for 18 all-time in the Kentucky Derby. The best finish came from Master of Hounds, who was fifth in 2011.

Kentucky Derby contenders Derma Sotogake trails Continuar, right, as the two Japanese horses train during a workout at the track April 25, 2023 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Kentucky Derby contenders Derma Sotogake trails Continuar, right, as the two Japanese horses train during a workout at the track April 25, 2023 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Derma Sotogake is the more accomplished of the duo and is projected to be among the top five or six choices in the Kentucky Derby morning line that will be set Monday.

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“In the stall and around the barn, he’s still a little bit of a child, so to speak,” Tanaka said. “But when it comes to racing, he buckles down and he’s becoming more and more of an adult every day.”

Asked what it would mean in his home country for a Japanese horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Tanaka responded, “Absolutely change history.”

Continuar is 0 for 2 as a 3-year-old, but assistant trainer Takahide Ando said he’s been pleased with the horse’s progression.

“One of the best things about Continuar is he’s a very relaxed horse, very calm,” Ando said through Hunter. “He’s traveled to Saudi and Dubai, so he’s had a lot of experience around various types of situations and people. So we think that should be an advantage.”

Both Tanaka and Ando expressed joy and nervousness about competing in the Kentucky Derby.

“It’s amazing for a horseman like myself to be here at Churchill Downs, where so much history has happened,” Ando said. “It’s very exciting and very moving.”

Assistant trainer Takahide Ando for Kentucky Derby contender Continuar, foreground, as assistant trainer Masanari Tanaka rides fellow Kentucky Derby horse Derma Sotogake after a workout at the track April 25, 2023 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Assistant trainer Takahide Ando for Kentucky Derby contender Continuar, foreground, as assistant trainer Masanari Tanaka rides fellow Kentucky Derby horse Derma Sotogake after a workout at the track April 25, 2023 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

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Sun Thunder breezes

Sun Thunder, coming off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland, breezed four furlongs in 48.60 seconds Wednesday morning at Churchill.

Trainer Kenny McPeek said he’s planning to give Sun Thunder a final breeze Tuesday.

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby updates: Derma Sotogake, Continuar at Churchill Downs