Japan kicked off its campaign towards the Kentucky Derby early Saturday morning with the Cattleya Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse. The 8-5 favorite, Satono Voyage, made a strong late surge to win by one and a half lengths over the staggering 133-1 outsider Don Erectus. Owned by Hajime Satomi and trained by Hiroyasu Tanaka, Satono Voyage now boasts three wins in four races. The Japanese-bred colt, sired by Into Mischief, was expertly guided to victory by jockey Keita Tozaki.
Satono Voyage completed the 1,600-meter (approximately 1 mile) race in 1 minute 37.4 seconds. Another Kentucky-bred contender, Arcadia Cafe, also by Spendthrift Farm’s prominent stallion Into Mischief, finished third, just half a length behind. Among over a dozen 2-year-old runners, Every Possible placed fourth and Ho O’ Luxor fifth.
Following the race, jockey Tanaka revealed that Satono Voyage might next compete in the Saudi Derby (G3) on February 14th, part of the Euro/Middle East Road leading to the Kentucky Derby. The $1.5 million event will take place at Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz Racecourse over a 1,600-meter distance.
The top five finishers in the Cattleya Stakes secured qualifying points (10-5-3-2-1) towards an invitation to the 152nd Kentucky Derby scheduled for May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs. The forthcoming race in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series is the All Japan 2-year-old Yushun, set for December 17th at Kawasaki Racecourse.
Satono Voyage, bred by the Brazilian mare Jolie Olympica (by Drosselmeyer) at Shimo Kobe Farm, continues to show strong potential.
Fan Take: This milestone signals Japan’s increasing influence in the global horse racing scene and highlights the exciting international competition building toward the Kentucky Derby. Fans should watch closely as these young contenders could shape the future of the sport with their impressive talent and global breeding connections.
