Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby 2024: Get to Know the Top 5 Contenders

The Kentucky Derby, often called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” is filled with tradition and history. It’s a moment where legends are born, and stories are made. The road to the Kentucky Derby is a thrilling path paved by ambitious horses from around the globe, vying for a chance to run in the famed race. 

Japan, known for its deep respect and passion for horse racing, hosts its series of races, allowing local contenders to secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Here, we spotlight the top 5 contenders from Japan’s Road to the Kentucky Derby 2024, showcasing their achievements and what makes them stand out.

Ramjet

Ramjet has quickly risen through the ranks to become a leading contender. Ramjet has proven to be a fierce competitor with a remarkable win in the 2024 Hyacinth Stakes, showcasing an explosive final sprint. His agility and speed make him a formidable opponent on any track.

In his fifth appearance, Ramjet made a remarkable debut in stakes competition by rallying from the back of the pack to seize the lead in the final stretch, claiming a commanding three-length win on the US$128,154 Hyacinth Stakes. This event is a preparatory points race on Japan’s pathway to the Kentucky Derby 2024.

Ramjet’s triumph propelled him to the forefront for the single slot available for Japan in the Derby. The upcoming Fukuryu Stakes, set to occur on March 23 at Nakayama and spanning 1 1/8 miles, marks the final event in the series of four qualifiers that will determine the recipient of the invitation, which has been accepted just twice in the past seven years.

If Ramjet acquires the necessary points by winning derby prep races, he will qualify and be included in the lineup for the Kentucky Derby 2024. That said, Ramjet and his team shouldn’t be too complacent with their victory last February 18 on the Hyacinth Stakes, as there is still a long way to go to secure a spot for Ramjet on the Run For The Roses. 

Forever Young 

Coming second in the Road To The Kentucky Japan Leaderboard, Forever Young currently has 20 Derby qualifying points. Forever Young appears exceptionally robust compared to other Japanese 3-year-olds aiming for the Derby spotlight at this initial career phase. 

He boasts an impeccable record and has triumphantly won in all three races he’s contested in Japan. 

His talent was tested for the first time on February 24 at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia. During the $1.5 million Saudi Derby, Forever Young competed against 10 contenders and emerged victorious, affirming his status as a formidable competitor.

His victory in the Saudi Derby won’t qualify him for the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Still, it will allow him to contend in the UAE Derby this coming March 31 at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, a major Kentucky Derby qualifying race.

Aigle Noir

The third horse that claimed the third spot on the Road To The Kentucky Derby Japan Leaderboard is Aigle Noir. 

Aigle Noir, trained by Japanese trainer Hidetaka Otonashi, has captivated audiences with his resilience and determination. He secured its second-stakes victory by clinching a close win in the Listed Hyogo Junior Grand Prix at Sonoda on November 22, 2023. This race marked Aigle Noir’s latest competition, with no races participating this year.

Entering the race as the 7-5 favorite, the dark bay horse kept a position slightly behind the top three runners, steering clear of most debris by staying away from the fence on the first turn. Accelerating into the final corner, he was neck and neck with Satono Phoenix (Jpn) by his side, matching strides down the stretch. 

A fortunate nod at the finish line earned him the status of a black-type winner. A significant five-length gap separated him from the G3 Hakodate Nisai S. victor, Seltsam (Jpn), who finished third.

Amante Bianco

White Thoroughbreds stand out for their rarity, with none claiming victory at the Kentucky Derby (G1) thus far. However, this could shift in 2024 should Amante Bianco compete at Churchill Downs. 

His entry into the Derby discussions came after a triumphant rally at the 2023 Cattleya S. in Tokyo Racecourse, Japan, covering a distance of 1,600 meters (approximately one mile). The Cattleya race, marking the initial phase of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, rewarded Amante Bianco with 10 qualifying points.

Right from its inception, Amante Bianco has been a force to reckon with. Bred at Northern Farm and owned by the Silk Racing Co., this horse, trained by Keisuke Miyata, made an impressive debut over 1,400 meters (roughly seven furlongs) on the Tokyo dirt track. 

Starting from seventh, Amante Bianco surged to clinch victory by 1 3/4 lengths, clocking in at 1:25.5. Amante Bianco recovered to win the Cattleya race by three-quarters of a length in 1:37.5 despite placing third in the 1,600-meter Platanus Sho allowance in Tokyo. 

Habire

Last but not least on the list is Habire. Habire, a 3-year-old horse of unknown breed from Japan, has been trained by Ryo Takei. This horse, born from the stallion Henny Hughes and the mare Tomo Tomo River, has won 2 races so far in its career. 

The most notable victory came on March 2, 2024, at Hanshin, where Habire, under jockey C P Lemaire, triumphed in a $14,880,137.00 Allowance Race (Allow), outperforming Porpora Ziel. Habire also participated in the Hyacinth Stakes last February and finished the race as the third placer. 

Final Words

The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby 2024 is heating up with an array of talent that promises to make this year’s race one for the history books. Each top contender has carved their own path to this point, showcasing the diversity and depth of Japanese thoroughbred racing.