Breeders’ Cup Classic alumni Ushba Tesoro and Derma Sotogake – both prospects for a return date in just over five weeks’ time – square off early Wednesday morning (US time) in the $468,443 Nippon TV Hai Stakes at Japan’s Funabashi Racecourse. The 1-1/8 miles test on dirt goes as Race 11 on the card with a scheduled stateside post time of 7:05 am ET.

Derma Sotogake finshed second in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita, a length behind White Abarrio. He’s looking for his first victory since capturing the March ’23 United Arab Emirates Derby (pictured above), a race that spring-boarded him to a sixth-place effort in the Kentucky Derby. Ushba Tesoro, fifth in last year’s Classic, is defending champion in the Nippon TV Hai Stakes. His deep resume includes a 2023 Dubai World Cup victory as well as runner-up finishes this spring in the Saudi Cup as well as his title defense in Dubai. Both are currently traded around 25-1 on the international futures markets for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

A total of 13 are entered in Wednesday morning’s Nippon TV Hai Stakes. The 7-year-old Ushba Tesoro is a strong 6-5 favorite in the world pool simulcast with 4-year-old Derma Sotogake the clear second choice at 9-5. No other runner is projected in single digits.

The 12-race card from Funabashi gets underway at 1:40 am ET. Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta and Omni wagering are available on the featured race with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.