The connections of Master Fencer (Jpn) (Just A Way {Jpn}), who accumulated 19 points on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, have announced their intentions to participate in the 145th Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs May 5.
Placed in two starts on turf to begin his career, the chestnut broke his maiden in his dirt debut last December and added an allowance success the following month, both over the metric nine furlongs. Fourth in the Listed Hyacinth S., the third leg of the Japan Road to the Derby, at Toyko Feb. 17, he made a big, looping run from last to finish a solid second in the Fukuryu S. at Nakayama Mar. 31 (see below, gate 7).
“It is an honor to be able to participate in one of the world's greatest races,” part-owner Katsumi Yoshizawa said. “I feel lucky to be able to race my horse in Kentucky.”
A son of the Deputy Minister mare Sexy Zamurai, Master Fencer is out of a daughter of SW Powder (Broad Brush), the dam of dirt MGSW One Caroline (Unbridled's Song). Third dam Charette (Chief's Crown) was a half-sister to European champion St. Jovite and the successful U.S. dirt horses L'Carriere and Lac Ouimet.
Should he make the trip, Master Fencer would become the first Japanese-bred runner to start in the Derby. Two American-bred horses based in Japan have participated in the first leg of the Triple Crown–Ski Captain (Storm Bird, 14th to Thunder Gulch in 1995) and Lani (Tapit, ninth to Nyquist in 2016).
WATCH: Master Fencer finishes second in the Fukuryu S. Mar. 31
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