Report: Japan-based colt eyes Fukuryu, Kentucky Derby 2026

Itterasshai, the Japan-based 3-year-old owned by Japanese entrepreneur Takafumi Horie, will aim for the Fukuryu Stakes on March 28 at Nakayama as his final prep before a potential trip to the Kentucky Derby, according to Sponichi Annex.

The colt had been pointing to the UAE Derby at Meydan but will bypass the race. Trainer Makoto Saito announced the decision at Nakayama Racecourse, citing safety concerns for both horse and rider.

"We cannot put either the horse or the rider at risk," Saito said, per the report.

A son of Mischievous Alex, Itterasshai carries a record of 3: 1-0-2 after finishing third in the Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo. In that race, Godolphin's Lucky Kid rallied to a 22-1 upset, earning 30 points atop the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Itterasshai picked up nine points for his third-place finish.

Prior to the Hyacinth, Itterasshai broke through with a dominant five-length maiden victory going 1 1/8 miles at Nakayama after a troubled debut at Tokyo in which he was slow to leave the gate but closed with interest to finish third.

The Fukuryu Stakes, the final leg of the Japan Road, offers 40 points to the winner on a scale of 40-20-12-8-4. A victory would vault Itterasshai to the top of the Japan standings and could secure a spot in the starting gate for Kentucky Derby 2026 at Churchill Downs.