In Dubai, Japan's Wonder Dean Earns Kentucky Derby Bid

If there was any doubt the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby runs through Dubai, Wonder Dean (JPN) erased it by running down favorite Six Speed in the stretch to win the $1 million UAE Derby (G2) March 28, earning an automatic bid to the Run for the Roses. Following in the steps of Crown Pride (JPN) in 2022, Derma Sotogake (JPN) in 2023, Forever Young (JPN) in 2024, and Admire Daytona (JPN) in 2025, all of whom won in Dubai and went on to contest the Run for the Roses, the Dee Majesty (JPN) colt earned 100 points on the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard to finish on top. His connections confirmed they plan to make the trip to Louisville, Ky. A tough international contingent for the Kentucky Derby (G1) may have assembled within a matter of hours as Six Speed's connections indicated they are still interested and the official Japan Road ended in a tie at Nakayama Racecourse earlier in the day. As expected, Kentucky-bred Six Speed, winner of the UAE Two Thousand Guineas (G3) in his previous start, shot out to the lead in the UAE Derby. He led down the backstretch and through the turn but the added distance of the 1,900-meter (about 1 3/16-mile) race appeared to catch up with him and Wonder Dean got by to win by a lengthening 2 1/2 lengths. Pyromancer (JPN), shipped in from Japan by Godolphin, was third, another 6 lengths back. Wonder Dean entered the race with only a maiden win to his credit. He finished 2025 with two second-place finishes, then reported fourth in the Saudi Derby (G3) Feb. 14 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In Dubai, things finally went his way. "He jumped really well from the gate," winning rider Cristian Demuro said. "I was really confident at the corner that I could catch the front-runner and he did it really easily." Asked if Wonder Dean can get the 1 1/4 miles of the Kentucky Derby, Demuro said, "Yeah. Why not?" Trainer Daisuke Takayanagi seemed surprised to be asked if Wonder Dean now is headed to Louisville, Ky. "Yes, of course," Takayanagi said. "He will run well at Churchill Downs." Churchill Downs rules for the series specify "up to two" horses from the Euro/Mideast Road may be offered invitations to the Kentucky Derby and Reed Zimmer, part owner of Six Speed, said the Bhupat Seemar trainee also is headed back to his state of origin. "He's definitely going to the U.S.," said Zimmer, gracing the winner's enclosure in a pink western suit. "He's going to the Derby. He will 100% go to the Kentucky Derby." Maxfield Colt Lands Final Leg of Japan Road In Japan, the final leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby left the results up in the air. Danon Bourbon, a Maxfield colt, won the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse, earning 40 points, in his first appearance in the series. Only one scenario could have denied him the automatic bid to the Kentucky Derby—a runner-up showing by Don Erectus (JPN), who finished second in both the first and third legs and came into the Fukuryu with 20 points. That's just what happened. Don Erectus finished second, earning another 20 points to tie Danon Bourbon. By the Churchill Downs rules, the tiebreaker is lifetime earnings, which would give the nod to Don Erectus. However, according to Churchill Downs Inc.'s Japan racing liaison Kate Hunter, Don Erectus, who is not nominated to the Triple Crown, is "not coming" to the United States. That leaves the door open for Triple Crown-nominated Danon Bourbon to land the invitation. Danon Bourbon's connections would be interested, said trainer Manabu Ikezoe. "He was very strong. He had won his last two races convincingly, but only at Kyoto Racecourse," Ikezoe said. "There were various concerns, such as transportation and the tight turns, but he overcame them without any problems. "I think he still has room to win at this level. Regarding the Kentucky Derby, I believe the owner will consider it positively, after watching his condition." Jockey Atsuya Nishimura said, "It's a truly excellent horse. There are no other words to describe it."