JRA has set the stage for Saturday’s ¥226,404 Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse, featuring 11 three-year-old colts competing over 1800 meters. The race serves as the final leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering points on a 40-20-12-8-4 scale to the top five finishers.
Luxor Cafe leads the series standings with 30 points following his victory in the Listed Hyacinth Stakes over Tokyo’s one-turn 1600-meter course on Feb. 23. The American Pharoah colt, a full-brother to dual G1 February Stakes winner Cafe Pharoah, has impressed in his young career.
Owned by Koichi Nishikawa, Luxor Cafe set a juvenile course record when breaking his maiden over a mile at Tokyo on Nov. 23 before adding an allowance victory over the Nakayama course and distance on Jan. 11. Joao Moreira takes the mount Saturday, where a first or second-place finish would secure the automatic Kentucky Derby berth.
Eight of the 11 entrants come in off victories, creating a competitive field for the final Japan Road qualifier.
Imhotep looks to maintain his perfect record after two impressive wins. The New Year’s Day colt, purchased for nearly $380,000 at the 2023 JRHA Select Yearling Sale, won his debut by nine lengths over the Nakayama course on Jan. 12 and followed with a three-length allowance victory at the same venue just two weeks ago.
Golden Cloud enters as another contender with strong credentials. The Cloud Computing colt won his debut at Kyoto last October before finishing second by a neck to G2 UAE Derby-bound Don in the Mood in January allowance company. Golden Cloud most recently finished third behind pacesetter Isana over this distance at Chukyo on Jan. 26.
Last year’s Fukuryu Stakes was captured by T O Password in just his second career start. That colt went on to finish an impressive fifth in the Kentucky Derby, finishing 6½ lengths behind winner Mystik Dan.
▼高松宮記念 本命候補①
🐴サトノレーヴ（想定2番人気）
理由① １週前追いはチャックネイト、ルクソールカフェとの３頭併せで手応え良く最先着。
初の左回りは未知数だが、フットワーク的には問題なさそう。フォロー&いいね20でどんどん更新してきます。
フォロー頂けると励みになります！ pic.twitter.com/OfpYc9t2In— ちゃぶ君の競馬サロン (@chab358x11)
▼高松宮記念 本命候補①
— ちゃぶ君の競馬サロン (@chab358x11) March 24, 2025
🐴サトノレーヴ（想定2番人気）
理由① １週前追いはチャックネイト、ルクソールカフェとの３頭併せで手応え良く最先着。
初の左回りは未知数だが、フットワーク的には問題なさそう。
フォロー&いいね20でどんどん更新してきます。
フォロー頂けると励みになります！ pic.twitter.com/OfpYc9t2In
