Japanese Fillies to Take on Derby

Satono Reinas (Deep Impact-Balada Sale, by Not For Sale), who ran second in the Oka Sho (Japan 1,000 Guineas) behind unbeaten Sodashi (Kurofune-Buchiko, by King Kamehameha) will head to the Japan Derby, not the Oaks, reports news.yahoo.co.jp. The last filly to win the Japan Derby (Tokyo Yushun) was Vodka (Tanino Gimlet-Tanino Sister, by Rousillon) in 2007. Trainer Sakae Kunieda said, "Both the owner and I have a strong feeling for the Derby." Christophe Lemaire will ride Satono Reinas in the Derby and stablemate Akaitorino Musume (Deep Impact-Apapane, by King Kamehameha) in the Japan Oaks. Akaitorino Musume ran fourth in the Oka Sho. Satono Reinas is out of Champion 3YO Filly in Argentina, Balada Sale, who won both the Gr1 Argentina 1000 Guineas and Gr1 Argentina Oaks, and is the dam of Gr2 winner Satono Flag (Deep Impact). Satono Reinas has won two of her four starts, and placed second twice at Gr1 level, both times behind Sodashi. The Japan Derby will be run on 30 May 2021.