Sons of American Pharoah Imposing in Japan's Hyacinth

Though three Japanese-trained 3-year-olds traveled to Saudi Arabia to compete Feb. 22 in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3), a cast of 10 promising 3-year-olds remained behind in Japan to contest the Feb. 23 Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse. The 1,600-meter (about one mile) Hyacinth, the third of four races on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, drew some of the top Japanese 3-year-olds recently nominated to the American Triple Crown. Among these are Luxor Cafe and Taisei Dorado (JPN), colts by 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. The more seasoned is Luxor Cafe, who, after losing his initial two starts, captured a pair of races topped by a 1 1/8-mile allowance Jan. 11 at Nakayama by five lengths under Rachel King. Noriyuki Hori trains the Koichi Nishikawa-owned colt, a full brother to 2020 Hyacinth winner Cafe Pharoah, a multiple grade 1 winner in Japan. Luxor Cafe is also half brother to Regal Glory, the champion North American turf female of 2022. Taisei Dorado whipped maidens by 9 1/2 lengths in his lone start Dec. 22 at Kyoto under confident handling from Atsuya Nishimura. The Seiho Tanaka-owned colt, trained by Haruki Sugiyama, is out of the grade 1-placed Medaglia d'Oro mare Miss Besilu, a half sister to 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam. The Hyacinth Stakes is worth points on a scale of 30-15-9-6-3 to the top five finishers as part of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Its winner will vault to the top of the current standings.