By Alex Henry
Danon Bourbon is a high-proof, worthy entrant into this year’s Kentucky Derby. An easy 3 for 3 winner so far, his biggest question is if he can handle running counterclockwise with the top-level US-based competition he’ll be facing. Currently at #18 on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard, he’s earned his starting gate spot due to his win in the Fukuryu stakes as part of Japan’s Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing Record and Notable Performances
Danon Bourbon’s racing career has been brief but bright, recording 3 wins in 3 starts. He broke his maiden on Kyoto Racecourse’s dirt track on October 26th over 1800m (~9 furlongs), an impressive 10-length display. He took the winter off to mature, finding his next win again at Kyoto over 1900m (~9.5 furlongs) on February 15th in an N1X allowance-level race. Beginning with this run, Danon Bourbon experienced a jockey change to Atsuya Nishimura; a successful combination as Nishimura rode him to his 3rd win in Nakayama Racecourse’s Fukuryu Stakes on March 28th. Notably, ‘Bourbon’s win in the Fukryu Stakes was the fastest win since the inception of the race, the final time was 1:50.9. The pace was designated as fast by JRA, and the 2nd furlong was run in 11.1 seconds by pacesetter Don Erectus. Danon Bourbon settled in 3rd position until the final turn where he forged to 2nd place to challenge Don Erectus who was not slowing down. The final 5 furlongs of the race were run in nearly 12.5 (12.6 seconds on 7th furlong only) seconds per furlong. This steady finishing pace in stark contrast to the quick opening quarter mile is very impressive and has never been equaled in several decades of this stakes race (race split time is translated and shown below). Notably, Don Erectus tied Danon Bourbon in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series in terms of total points.
Pedigree and Connections
- Sire: Maxfield
- Dam & Damsire: Wild Ridge (by Tapit)
- Owner: Danox Co., Ltd.
- Trainer: Manabu Ikezoe
- Jockey: Atsuya Nishimura
This $450,000 Keenland September yearling was well spotted by extremely influential Japanese breeder and owner Katsumi Yoshida, he was subsequently acquired by Danox Co., Ltd. Maxfield won up to 9 furlongs, victorious in the 2021 G1 Clark Stakes and G2 Stephen Foster Stakes, both held at Churchill Downs. This affinity for longer distances on US dirt, especially at Churchill Downs, surely gives this contender a notable advantage. Danon Bourbon is Maxfield’s best offspring on track currently; he currently stands for $50,000 at Darley in Lexington, Kentucky. Dam Wild Ridge is a maiden winner and has produced a black-type placed 2020 colt by Speightstown, Clubhouse (Jimmy Winkfield S., 6 furlongs, dirt). Looking deeper into her family, dam Wild Gams is a standout as a multiple graded stakes winner in dirt sprints. Wild Gams produced multiple stakes sprint winners, including Dubyuhnel, Cazadero, and MT Brave.
Both trainer Ikezoe Manabu and jockey Atsuya Nishimura have their first Kentucky Derby runner with Danon Bourbon. Manabu’s first international starter was in the 2025 Godolphin Mile (Kazu Petrin, 3rd); Nishimura’s first was in the 2025 Saudi Derby (Myriad Love, 7th). Domestically, Manabu has collected 14 turf graded stakes victories since 2017, including 2 G1 wins. Nishimura has 13 turf graded stakes wins, and one G1 win aboard Lugal in the 2024 Sprinters Stakes.
Final Prep Analysis
- Final Prep Race: Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama (March 28th)
- Finish Position: 1st out of 10
- Final Time: 1:50.9
- Beyer Speed Figure: ~97
Wonder Dean’s Fukuryu Stakes didn’t contain much competition at first glance; however, his record-setting time and tenacious competition in Don Erectus warrant a serious look in the Derby. Also, Don Erectus is one I’d rush to bet back; he runs the same day as the Kentucky Derby in the G3 Unicorn Stakes. As shown in the split time chart above, Don Erectus ran USA fast in his opening quarter mile, clocking 23.4. It’s notable to disclose that Japanese dirt is much sandier and deeper than the same surface found in the USA, therefore, their times are consistently slower. A dirt record is especially notable, and although only graded stakes races get the official designation of a new record, in 20 years, no winner of the Fukuryu Stakes has run faster than Danon Bourbon on the deep Nakayama dirt.
Strengths and Concerns
Strengths:
Record-holding winner of the Fukuryu Stakes. While he’s ~1 second slower than fellow US-based contenders that won on 9 furlongs, it’s notable that Japan’s dirt surfaces contain much more sand and depth. ‘Bourbon ran very fast to win last out. His estimated Beyer figure clocks.
Pedigree loves Churchill Downs. Sire Maxfield won G1 and G2 stakes races; hopefully, his son will pick up this affinity too.
Visually impressive. I keep returning to his race replays to watch him hunt down any horse ahead of him and maintain that lead once in front. I’m looking forward to seeing more video of him in the US on track to see if he’s training the same way.
Concerns:
Left-handed turns. I’m hoping the 2 weeks of galloping on the CD surface will bring out that Maxfield breeding and help him excel on this new track configuration.
Hasn’t had extensive time at Churchill like Wonder Dean.
He hasn’t faced global-level competition as other Japanese runners have in the past.
Expert Opinions and Odds
Danon Bourbon is 50-1 odds in the USA, and I think this is valid. He’ll need to massively step up to produce a run similar to his Fukuryu Stakes in the Kentucky Derby. I’m concerned that his last race was his seasonal peak and now he’s trying to maintain the form. Trainer Ikezoe Manabu said he was given 2 weeks after the UAE Derby to graze in pasture before shipping to Kentucky. ‘Bourbon arrived April 21 but is still in quarantine until Friday, 4/24. I am a bit worried about the 2 weeks he was given to rest after his last race, I’m not sure if he’ll be tuned up to give his best effort in the Derby after a rest but I put full faith in his connections to restore his peak fitness by May 2nd.
Conclusion
Danon Bourbon is a long shot with a legitimate chance, given his domestic excursions as a 3-year-old so far. His Fukuryu Stakes record is something to behold; however, needing a few weeks off afterwards makes me cautious to back him completely, as it seems that the effort took a significant amount of effort from this colt. I’m looking forward to seeing ‘Bourbon on track, as it’ll tell us a very important story of his current physical condition. Japan has two legitimate chances to receive its first blanket of roses. I hope this colt can channel his sire and make some magic happen next Saturday.
