Master Fencer jockey Hamanaka learning track ahead of Belmont Derby

Japanese jockey Suguru Hamanaka is getting acclimated with Big Sandy before piloting Master Fencer in Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational.

Katsumi Yoshizawa's homebred Master Fencer, trained by Koichi Tsunoda, competed in the two-thirds of the Triple Crown with a rail-riding sixth in the Kentucky Derby and a wide-rallying fifth in the Belmont Stakes, just a head shy of Tax for fourth.

The Japanese-bred son of Just a Way remained in New York following the Belmont Stakes effort. Previously piloted by Julien Leparoux in North America, Master Fencer was reunited with jockey Hamanaka on Tuesday morning and has the call in the Belmont Derby.

Hamanaka said he enjoyed the experience this morning training Master Fencer on the inner turf.

"We just had a very light training session today. It was more training for me, as a jockey, as it is my first time here," said Hamanaka via translator Kate Hunter.

Hamanaka has ridden Master Fencer twice in races and won both outings, including a maiden win at Hanshin and an allowance score at Kyoto. Both those victories were on dirt surfaces.

However, Master Fencer made his first two starts on turf finishing second and fourth in maiden races at the 10 furlong distance of the Belmont Derby.

Hamanaka, who last rode Master Fencer competitively in January, said he has noticed a physical change in the chestnut.

"He's gotten bigger and stronger," said Hamanaka. "He's always been a horse that breaks slow and is very far behind everyone else. In the two times I rode him I used that knowledge and started asking him earlier in the race to get him revved up."

Master Fencer is slated to breeze on the dirt Wednesday morning as he continues preparations to square off against a full field of 14 Belmont Derby contenders.

The field is also expected to include Aidan O'Brien's raiders Blenheim Palace and Cape of Good Hope; the Chad Brown-trained quartet of Demarchelier, Digital Age, Rockemperor, and Standard Deviation; the Todd Pletcher-conditioned Social Paranoia and Spinoff; as well as English Bee, Henley's Joy, Moon Colony, Plus Que Parfait and Seismic Wave.

Master Fencer is one of two Japanese-bred contenders running in Saturday's turf showcases, joining $750,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) runner Jodie.

The Belmont Derby and Belmont Oaks Invitationals kick off the inaugural $5.25 million Turf Triple Series, featuring the Turf Trinity and Turf Tiara for sophomores over three legs at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.

The Turf Trinity begins with the Belmont Derby Invitational at 10 furlongs as the featured event on a loaded Stars & Stripes Racing Festival card that also includes the $700,000 Suburban Handicap (G2), the $250,000 Dwyer (G3), and the $300,000 John A. Nerud (G2), a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race offering a berth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

NBC will broadcast the card.