Kentucky Derby Preview – CopyBet

Japan’s influence on the international stage has been growing in recent years with Japanese trainers making no secret of the high regard in which they hold the Run For The Roses.

Forever Young came close to providing Japan with their first Kentucky Derby winner when third 12 months ago and in LUXOR CAFE they look to have a colt who can go two places better.

By Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah, the colt is the winner of four of his six starts to date including all three outings in 2025.

Trained by Noriyuki Hori, the pick has raced from mid-division in his two most recent starts including when drawing five lengths clear of his 10 rivals in the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama at the end of March.

The colt shaped as if the extra furlong he tackles here would suit when winning on a good dirt track that day and a fast main track here shouldn’t pose any issues.

Jockey Joao Moreira, known as The Magic Man, has plenty of big race experience in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and the UAE as well as in his native Brazil and he retains the ride having partnered the colt for the first time in the Fukuryu Stakes.

The selection advertised his well-being with a solid 1:02.40 breeze over five furlongs at this track recently and he looks capable of recording his fifth consecutive win.

Trainer D Wayne Lukas knows what it takes to win this event, having registered four wins in the race previously, most recently with Charismatic in 1999.

The handler’s representative this time, AMERICAN PROMISE, around fetched $750,000 at the prestigious Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2023.

That price tag looked expensive last summer when the colt failed to score in his five starts, but he came good at the sixth attempt when encountering a muddy track at Oaklawn Park in December.

The son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify went on to register a couple of fair efforts in defeat in Graded company including when fifth in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in February.

The colt broke through for his first stakes win when coming home clear of his rivals in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs in March.

While that form is some way short of what is likely to be required to win here, the colt has a good draw and with plenty of stamina in his pedigree, he may prove capable of springing an upset.