American Pharoah Colt Earns Kentucky Derby Spot

Luxor Cafe (3c American Pharoah x Mary’s Follies, by More Than Ready) again proved to be one to watch on Saturday when he romped in the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama to earn a spot in the Grade I Kentucky Derby.

Stepping up to nine furlongs from his mile victory in the Hyacinth Stakes last month, Luxor Cafe’s jockey Joao Moreira proved to have plenty of confidence in him from the break. Breaking widest of all in the 11-horse field, Moreira moved him closer to the rail but wasn’t afraid to go three wide around the track.

It wasn’t until the final three furlongs that Moreira gave any indication to Luxor Cafe that it was time to think about stepping up his efforts and Luxor Cafe happily responded. Going even wider around the far turn, the colt easily put away the field in the stretch to win by five furlongs.

“He was always in a good rhythm, his response and reaction were good,” said Moreira. “He is a really good horse.”

Bred by Coolmore and Westerberg, the colt is trained by Noriyuki Hori for Koichi Nishikawa, with the pair also the connections of Luxor Cafe's multiple Group I winning full brother Cafe Pharoah. Luxor Cafe is now the winner of four of six starts with all four of those victories coming consecutively.

His multiple graded stakes winning dam Mary’s Follies is also the dam of U.S. champion Regal Glory and Grade III winner Night Prowler from her seven winners.

Now the earner of 70 points on the Japan path of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, this win secured Luxor Cafe a spot in that race if his connections choose to take it.