Breeder’s Cup Longshot: Derma Sotogake

Tomorrow’s Breeder’s Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park will be one for the books, as thoroughbred race horses from all runs of life fill the field in the most prestigious race in the United States.

Derma Sotogake, out of Japan, is one of the longest shots on the board in tomorrow’s classic and with good reason, too. The three-year-old colt’s last race was held on May 6 in an exclusive field known as the Kentucky Derby. Only three-year-old colts are allowed to run in this race and Derma Sotogake finished sixth amongst 17 other rookie thoroughbreds. However, this horse might be a sneaky pick at good wagering odds.

Being a horse who likes to take the lead at the start and stay there the entire race, Derma Sotogake’s Derby run was over as soon as the gates opened. He bounced off of the other contenders out of gate, and got caught behind more than half of the field before the first 1/4 mile.

Trainer Hidetaka Onotashi explained the underwhelming result that day to NBC reporters saying, “the plan was to race toward the front, but he never even got the chance. It was just impossible to come back from where we were positioned.”

None of his contenders from the Derby will be in this race which can be seen as both good and bad. The good being he gets to run against different horses; the bad being he gets to run against different horses.

All of the other horses in tomorrow’s classic have raced in either September or October. Derma Sotogake is the only challenger coming off a five-month layoff meaning he should be itching to get out of his stable and get to the lead early.

Expect #6 Saudi Crown and hot-favorite #12 Arabian Knight to also be setting the pace early with #5 Derma Sotogake. If jockey, Christophe Lemaire, can save as much energy while not getting dirt kicked in the face of Derma Sotogake, the two have a good chance of taking the prize. Lemaire will also need to multi-check his shoulder for the off-pace, treasured Japan-native #8 Ushba Tesoro.

Make sure to tune in on America’s richest day of racing on NBC or Peacock at post time 6:40 p.m. ET.