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Japan’s Admire Daytona wins UAE Derby; Ky Derby Could be Next

Make that four in a row for Japan in the $1 million UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan Racecourse.

Admire Daytona narrowly held off a determined Heart of Honor by a nose in a photo finish on Dubai World Cup Saturday, giving Japan another opportunity to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) next month.

Japan breds ran first, third (Don in The Mood), and fourth (Shin Forever) in the UAE Derby, one of the final Kentucky Derby prep races on the road to the Derby that awarded 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers. If the winning connections choose to run, the win clinched an automatic spot in the Derby field for Admire Daytona.

Japan-bred Luxor Cafe finished atop the leaderboard in Japan’s road to the Derby and has a guaranteed spot in the field if his connections decide to make the trip.

Admire Daytona ran fourth in the Hyacinth Stakes in Japan in February, and trainer Yukihiro Kato said he didn’t really expect to win here but indicated Saturday night he’d like to bring his horse to Louisville for the May 3 Derby.

Ridden by Christophe Lemaire, 10-1 Admire Daytona ($22.20) stayed along the rail most of the race, took the lead over Don in The Mood and Hear of Honor, and gamely fended off Heart of Honor, ridden by Saffie Osborne.

“I thought I won, but you can’t be too happy, too soon,’’ Lemaire said. “For sure he can go (to the Derby); it’s one of the most iconic races in the world. We have to go!”

Forever Young won the UAE Derby a year ago and finished third in the Kentucky Derby, two necks behind winner Mystic Dan, with Sierra Leone second. Japan-breds won the UAE Derby in 2022 (Derma Sotogake) and 2021 (Crown Pride).

Flood Zone, the favorite from the U.S. and Gotham Stakes (G3) winner, was not a serious threat and finished seventh in the field of nine. The colt trained by Brad Cox already has 50 Derby points on the road to the Derby and would likely limit the field to 20 starters.

The filly Queen Azteca finished fifth, followed by Dragon, Flood Zone, Rafid, and Galactic Star.

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