LORD DERBY CHALLENGE TROPHY (G3) PREDICTIONS

Date of prediction: 04/04/2026

The Lord Derby Challenge Trophy is a graded 1600m turf race taking place in Nakayama, Japan on April 4th, 2026. The field will consist of 16 runners. Here are my top 4 predictions. My predictions are ordered from my favorite to least favorite.

My Top 4 Picks:

1. Buena Onda - 2. Mini Transat - 3. Keiai Sena - 4. Fervent.

Buena Onda - 22.03 Rating

Disappointing last start coming 15th in the Tokyo Shimbun Hai back in February this year. Other than that, previous 4 starts before that have all been very good. Has placed in the top 3 10 times out of 19 starts. Has Cesario, Special Week, Deep Impact, and Sunday Silence in pedigree. Has a great chance to redeem.

Mini Transat - 18.87 Rating

Good recent form. Last placed 1st in the Iwashimizu Stakes back in February this year. Has placed in the top 3 6 times out of 9 starts. Has Epiphaneia, Cesario, Special Week, Zenno Rob Roy, and Sunday Silence in pedigree. Has a great chance to get a 2nd win in a row.

Keiai Sena - 15.34 Rating

Has an okay recent form. Last placed 2nd in the Kokura Daishoten back in February this year. Has Deep Impact and Sunday Silence in pedigree. Has a good chance of winning or placing.

Fervent - 14.92 Rating

Has an okay recent form. Last placed 2nd in the Sports Nippon Sho Kyoto Kimpai back in January this year. Has placed in the top 3 8 times out of 14 starts. Has Sunday Silence in pedigree. Has a decent chance of winning or placing.