Stable strike may affect Kentucky Derby prep in Japan

The Fukuryu Stakes, the last race on the Japan road to Kentucky Derby 2023, may be impacted by a strike by the labor unions representing the stable staff at Japanese racecourses.

The group of unions representing the stable staff in Japan issued a strike notice to the Japan Racing Association and the Japan Trainers Association last Friday, according to Japan racing-information site Netkeiba.com. As of Thursday negotiations had not yet reached an agreement.

Parties are expected to return to the bargaining table Friday. However, if there is no agreement Friday, it is possible that the weekend's racing will be canceled. A strike this weekend would affect several group stakes such as the Hanshin Daishoten (G2) at Hanshin and the Spring Stakes (G2) at Nakayama.

If a strike stretches into next week, the Japan road to the Kentucky Derby could be affected. The Fukuryu is scheduled for next Saturday. It is the last of four races on the Japan trail, which was allotted a maximum of one place in the starting gate May 6 at Churchill Downs.

Currently, Perriere leads the Japan standings with 36 points. The son of Henny Hughes, who is trained by Yoichi Kuroiwa, earned 30 points with a victory in the Hyacinth, and earned six with his third-place finish in the Nisai Yushun.