Calandagan Leads Weekend at Tokyo Racecourse Derby Hopefuls
Elle
Dec 5th 2025
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Calandagan confirmed his world status with an aggressive, late rally in Sunday’s Grade I Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse. After a thrilling stretch duel with Satono Voyage, the local 3-year-old that was the crowd going wild and rethinking the international landscape heading into the next season. It was his winning the only time a foreign-trained horse has done so in the highly coveted event since 2005, thus, his victory has been the talk of the town about the increasing number of overseas challengers in Japan’s major races.
The contest unfolded with intensity from the start. Local pace-setters pressed forward early, aiming to soften the visiting champion. Calandagan settled into a steady rhythm before launching a sustained late move that carried him past Satono Voyage in the final strides. The margin was narrow, but the impact was sizable: a reaffirmation of a horse already widely regarded as the top performer in training this year.
Satono Voyage lost little shine in defeat. The young horse showed gritty resolve to the end, taking on every challenge and giving up only in the final few meters. His trainer was happy with the work, mentioning that the experience would be like a nice little ladder step for the colt when he’s getting ready for the 2026 home classics.
A great number of local pundits departed the racetrack with the firm belief that Satono Voyage could still be the top of his generation and that his almost reversal of the world leader might affect the early Derby predictions.
The Japan Cup headlined a robust weekend slate that also featured several rising names expected to influence the early field for the 2026 U.S. Triple Crown. While the main event drew the spotlight, undercard stakes delivered significant developments that could shape discussions in both the American and Japanese racing scenes over the coming months.
One of the most talked-about performers was Magnitude Star, a colt whose steady improvement has gained attention during the autumn schedule. His effort in Saturday’s feature allowed him to assert himself among next year’s U.S. hopefuls. He handled a strong pace and closed with authority, prompting some observers to view him as a prospect with both stamina and steadiness, traits that often serve contenders well during the demanding progression of the American classics.
Magnitude Star’s connections have not committed to a specific path, but their comments after the race pointed to a possible U.S. campaign beginning early next spring. Should they pursue that route, he would join a growing group of international runners aimed at the Triple Crown trail, adding interest to a season already expected to carry significant depth. Some analysts noted that a return run at Tokyo Racecourse could help determine whether he truly belongs on that stage.
Another notable runner, Satono Voyage, though slightly overshadowed by his Japan Cup runner-up finish, also played a part in the broader weekend narrative. His resilience against the older champion, paired with a spring résumé that already gained respect, has placed him firmly among early Derby considerations at home. A future appearance at Tokyo Racecourse has been mentioned as a logical next step, given how well his style suits the long straight there.
Further Ado, a late-developing colt who entered the weekend with momentum, strengthened his case as well. His performance in a key prep event on Saturday signaled readiness for tougher assignments. A potential test at Tokyo Racecourse has been floated by observers who believe its layout may highlight his long stride and measured late work.
Beyond individual performances, the weekend underscored how closely the Japanese and American racing calendars now influence one another. Increasing numbers of owners consider both circuits when planning campaigns, which may lead to more horses shifting between major venues, including Tokyo Racecourse, during the early months of the year.
As the racing year draws to its final month, attention now turns to training bases across Japan, Europe, and the United States. Calandagan’s team plans to evaluate options for early 2025 before choosing a route that could include major international events. There will be a return to Tokyo Racecourse at the beginning of the season among the options that have been considered, which is a place that has often been used to check the strength of the challengers going for the big goals over the long run.
While it is too early to project the final lineup for the 2026 U.S. classics, the past weekend provided meaningful clues. Calandagan’s gritty triumph reaffirmed his place at top global rankings. Satono Voyage proved he belongs within any conversation about elite 3-year-olds heading into next season. Magnitude Star and Further Ado added their names to the growing list of prospects gaining momentum. Together, these performances signaled a promising foundation for a racing year that many fans are already eager to follow.
