American Pharoah’s Luxor Cafe Wins Fukuryu Stakes, Secures Derby Spot

Churchill Downs has a new contender for the Kentucky Derby as Koichi Nishikawa’s Luxor Cafe dominated Saturday’s Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama, securing his automatic berth with a commanding five-length victory.

The American Pharoah colt earned 40 points in the $228,217 allowance race, bringing his Kentucky Derby points total to 70 — enough to guarantee a starting position on the first Saturday in May should connections choose to make the journey.

Sent off as the overwhelming 3-10 favorite with Joao Moreira in the irons, Luxor Cafe demonstrated exceptional class over the metric nine furlongs. Breaking from the outside post in a field of 11, he settled three-wide while racing under a confident hold from the “Magic Man” Moreira.

Despite covering extra ground throughout, Luxor Cafe accelerated impressively when asked, quickening five-wide around the final turn to put the result beyond doubt. He recorded a race-best final 600 meters in :36.3.

“He was always in a good rhythm, his response and reaction were good,” Moreira said after the race. “He is a really good horse.”

Meisho Zuiun finished second, with fellow American-bred Golden Cloud taking third.

The victory marks Luxor Cafe’s fourth consecutive win for trainer Noriyuki Hori. His connections opted for the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby rather than next weekend’s G2 UAE Derby, which has attracted several horses he previously defeated in February’s Listed Hyacinth Stakes.

Luxor Cafe is developing an impressive resume that mirrors his accomplished family. He’s a full brother to dual G1 February Stakes hero Cafe Pharoah, who has earned over $5.4 million. Both race in Koichi Nishikawa’s colors.

His dam, Mary’s Follies, has produced three black-type winners, including champion Regal Glory, who topped the dispersal of the late Paul Pompa, Jr. when Peter Brant acquired her for $925,000 at Keeneland January in 2021. Mary’s Follies herself commanded $500,000 from BBA Ireland at the same auction.

The well-bred colt completed the 1800-meter contest in 1:52.1 over good ground, pushing his lifetime earnings to $377,323 from six starts.

Saturday’s Results:

FUKURYU S. (Allowance), ¥34,200,000 ($228,217), Nakayama, 3-29, 3yo, 1800m, 1:52.1, gd.

1–LUXOR CAFE, 128, c, 3, American Pharoah–Mary’s Follies (MGSW, $338,889), by More Than Ready. O-Koichi Nishikawa; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt & Westerberg Ireland ULC (KY); T-Noriyuki Hori; J-Joao Moreira; ¥18,000,000. Lifetime Record: SW, 6-4-1-0, $377,323. *Full to Cafe Pharoah, Ch. Dirt Horse, MG1SW-Jpn, G1SP-KSA, $5,447,518; half to Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom), ‘TDN Rising Star’, Ch. Turf Mare, MGISW, $2,619,134; and Night Prowler (Giant’s Causeway), MGSW, $475,682.

2–Meisho Zuiun (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Hokko Tarumae (Jpn)–Aqua Blue Heart (Jpn), by Empire Maker. O-Yoshio Matsumoro; B-Kosho Bokujo; T-Masuru Honda; J-Yutaka Yoshida; ¥7,200,000.

3–Golden Cloud, 126, c, 3, Cloud Computing–Seoul Gold, by Medaglia d’Oro. ($20,000 Wlg ’22 KEENOV; $17,000 Ylg ’23 KEESEP; $60,000 2yo ’24 OBSMAR). O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Todd Sheehan & Burton Johnson (KY); T-Shinya Kobayashi; J-Keita Tosaki; ¥4,500,000.

Margins: 5, NK, 2HF. Odds: 0.30, 12.60, 23.60.