Authentic’s full brother tackles Japan road to the Kentucky Derby
The 2023-24 Japan road to the Kentucky Derby begins this Saturday with the Cattleya at Tokyo Racecourse, with post time scheduled for 12:15 a.m. EST.
Contested over 1,600 meters (about one mile) on dirt, the Cattleya awards qualification points to the top five finishers on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis, making it the least lucrative of the four Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying races.
But don’t underestimate the Cattleya’s ability to produce Kentucky Derby contenders. Remember, 2015 Cattleya winner Lani competed in all three legs of the 2016 Triple Crown, even finishing third in the Belmont Stakes. More recently, 2022 Cattleya winner Continuar entered the 2023 Kentucky Derby before scratching due to unsatisfactory training.
A large field of 16 has entered the 2023 Cattleya. Let’s take a horse-by-horse look at the field:
No. 1 More Than Once (Majestic Warrior–Forevermore, by Neo Universe)
One of two fillies in the field, More Than Once led all the way to beat males in her debut over the Cattleya track and distance. A slow pace helped her chances though, and the winning time was a modest 1:40.3 seconds.
No. 2 David Tesoro (Suave Richard–Bullet Tesoro, by Camelot)
David Tesoro lost his first four starts on turf, then switched to dirt for a 1,600-meter maiden race at Tokyo and tracked the pace on his way to victory by five lengths in the sharp time of 1:37.7 seconds. This was a strong showing suggesting David Tesoro is a Cattleya win threat.
No. 3 Diasporo (Majestic Warrior–Ueba Flash, by Daiwa Major)
Finished second on debut, then took a 1,600-meter maiden contest at Tokyo in 1:39.0 seconds. Running the final 600 meters in a respectable 37.5 seconds carried Diasporo from eighth place to first place by 1 3/4 lengths.
No. 4 Star Turn (Greater London–Aussie Idol, by Snitzel)
Lost his first two turf tries, then switched to dirt and took a 1,400-meter maiden race in 1:26.00 seconds. However, Star Turn’s finishing speed over the final 600 meters (38.4 seconds) was modest.
No. 5 Earth Eos (Just a Way–Earth Marine, by Marienbard)
Debuted over 1,600 meters at Tokyo and finished fastest of anyone (final 600 meters in 37.8 seconds) to dominate by six lengths in 1:38.7 seconds. A highly promising performance.
No. 6 Amante Bianco (Henny Hughes–Yukichan, by Kurofune)
Won on debut sprinting 1,400 meters at Tokyo (stopping the clock in 1:25.5 seconds), then finished third in the Platanus Sho over the Cattleya track and distance. Amante Bianco was beaten 4 1/4 lengths, but clocked a respectable 1:38.1 seconds even in defeat.
No. 7 Sunrise Zipangu (Kizuna–Saimaa, by Zoffany)
Returns to the Japan Rascing Association circuit after running second in a National Association of Racing Group 2 over 1,800 meters. Sunrise Zipangu had previously trounced a 1,800-meter maiden contest at Hanshin by four lengths in 1:54.1 seconds, so we know stamina isn’t a question mark.
No. 8 Bushin (Into Mischief–Flawless, by Mr. Greeley)
Trained by Hideyuki Mori, who saddled France Go de Ina to compete in the 2021 Preakness and Belmont, $800,000 yearling acquisition Bushin is a full brother to 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic. Bushin placed in a couple of turf tries before winning a 1,000-meter maiden dash on dirt, then struggled when 11th in the 1,400-meter Oxalis Sho at Tokyo. He’ll need better to factor in the Cattleya, but his pedigree offers upside for improvement.
No. 9 George Tesoro (Best Warrior–Grin Tesoro, by Casino Drive)
The third time was the charm for George Tesoro, who graduated in a 1,300-meter maiden race at Tokyo. He held safe a late challenger by 2 1/2 lengths and stopped the clock in 1:19.3 seconds.
No. 10 O K Birdie (Sinister Minister–Seraphin, by Behkabad)
The second filly in the field obliterated her debut racing 1,700 meters at Fukushima, leading all the way to score by a whopping 2.9 seconds. Her winning time of 1:47.4 seconds wasn’t bad, and she finished by far the fastest, sprinting her final 600 meters in 36.8 seconds. A promising performance.
No. 11 Sonic Star (Into Mischief–Carolina Bertie, by Speightstown)
Rallied to win his debut racing 1,800 meters at Hanshin by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:56.5 seconds. It wasn’t the fastest effort overall, though he finished his final 600 meters in a decent 37.5 seconds.
No. 12 Unquenchable (Discreet Cat–Smolding, by Pro)
Fifth in his debut sprinting, Unquenchable improved when stretching out over 1,600 meters at Tokyo, setting a quick pace before finishing up nicely to win by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:38.4 seconds. This was a strong performance all the way around, suggesting Unquenchable can factor in the Cattleya.
No. 13 Pod Logo (Logotype–Skratta, by King Kamehameha)
Lost twice on the grass, then tackled a 1,800-meter maiden race over the Kyoto dirt and tracked the pace on his way to victory by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:54.4 seconds. The fact Pod Logo ran his final 600 meters in 37.1 seconds is a sign of talent.
No. 14 Rata Forest (Pyro–Gold Forest, Gold Allure)
Debuted over 1,600 meters at Tokyo and ran boldly, charging his final 600 meters in 37.1 seconds to rally from fifth place and score by seven lengths in 1:38.3 seconds. A flashy effort indicative of talent.
No. 15 Marcha Real (Real Impact–Vite Marcher, by French Deputy)
A half-brother to 2021 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Marche Lorraine, Marcha Real has run twice over 1,800 meters, finishing third on debut behind Sonic Star before winning a muddy-track maiden race at Kyoto by three lengths in 1:55.2 seconds. He’s trending in the right direction, but may need another step forward to challenge on Saturday.
No. 16 Storm Vanguard (Hokko Tarumae–Storm Tosho, by Star of Cozzene)
Won his debut sprinting 1,400 meters at Hanshin in 1:27.1 seconds, but subsequently faltered to eighth place in the Platanus Sho, finishing well behind Amante Bianco.