Fukuryu

Fukuryu Stakes Race History

As the fourth and final event on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Fukuryu S. boasts the largest number of points – on a scale of 40-20-12-8-4 – to the top five finishers. The allowance race is also the longest of the Japanese qualifiers, contested at about 1 1/8 miles, and it is the only one staged at a right-handed track, Nakayama. Since its addition to the Japan Road schedule in 2019, the Fukuryu has been run in late March.
Race Details:

• Location: Nakayama Racecourse, Chiba
• Distance: 1,800 meters (approximately 1 1/8 miles)​
• Surface: Dirt​
• Age Qualification: Three-year-olds​
• 2025 Purse: $265,000​
• Saturday, March 29th​

2024 Fukuryu Stakes

In 2024, T O Password secured victory in the Fukuryu Stakes, earning a guaranteed spot in the Kentucky Derby. This win marked only his second career start, highlighting the race's potential to catapult emerging talent onto the international stage. ​

T O PASSWORD wins the Fukuryu Stakes on the Japan Road to the #KyDerby!

Will we see him in the starting gates on the first Saturday in May? 🌹pic.twitter.com/3qGQHT5XE2

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) March 23, 2024

The Road Ahead:

The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby has gained prominence in recent years, reflecting the global nature of the sport and the increasing competitiveness of Japanese contenders on the world stage. The Fukuryu Stakes stands as a testament to this international collaboration, offering a bridge between Eastern and Western racing traditions.​

As we approach this year's Fukuryu Stakes, anticipation builds to see which contender will rise to the occasion and potentially make their mark on the storied grounds of Churchill Downs.