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Japanese Derby Betting Odds

Sunday 31 May 2026 · Tokyo · By Matthew Glazier · Last updated

Tastiera, Danon Decile and Croix du Nord are some of the recent Tokyo Yushun renewals, with the runners and riders lining up for Sunday's showdown. Lovcen heads the betting market and was an impressive performer at Nakayama in April, with the horse having won at the same course on a debut in December.

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Bereshit and Realize Sirius could be popular from an each-way point-of-view, with a strong test of stamina certain over 2,400 metres. It's a star-studded encounter which is the Japanese Derby, with Going To Sky and Audacia also having the potential to make an impact. It will be interesting to see how the market plays out leading up to the encounter.

Japanese Derby Runners & Odds

2026 Japanese Derby Betting Tips

Lovcen is a worthy favourite to win this weekend's Japanese Derby. The horse is trained by Haruki Sugiyama and has won twice in three encounters to date. He opened with a victory at Nakayama in December and returned to the same track recently to claim the spoils. That was in the Satsuki Shop which is the English 2,000 Guineas.

It's worth noting that Realize Sirius finished less than a length behind Lovcen in that recent encounter and perhaps the horse offers better each-way value. Takahisa Tezuka will be confident of reversing the form, with that April effort coming after a previous victory in Tokyo. In the middle of February, Bereshit was beaten by a head.

The latter will line up here also among the favourites and the connections will have been encouraged by the run in the Kyodo News Hai. Over one mile and one furlong, there was only a slight margin of defeat and there was also a recent strong run at Kyoto. The 11/10 favourite was narrowly touched off by Congestus in the Kyoto Shimbun Hai.

Going To Sky is the fourth horse trading at single figure odds, with the runner having appeared four times already in a short career. There was a win in Tokyo back in October and there was also a more recent victory at the same track. In the Tokyo Hai Aoba Sha, there was plenty to like about the performance over one mile and four furlongs.

Japanese Derby FAQ

When does the 2026 Japanese Derby take place?
The 2026 Japanese Derby was run at 7.40am on Sunday 31 May 2026.
Where does the 2026 Japanese Derby take place?
The Japanese Derby is run at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan.
Can I bet each-way on the Japanese Derby?
Yes. An each-way bet on the Japanese Derby is two bets in one, a win and a place. The number of places paid and the place fraction are set by each bookmaker and confirmed when the final field is declared, so check the each-way terms before betting.
Are there free bets or offers for the 2026 Japanese Derby?
Yes. Sign up with the bookmakers listed at Racing-Odds.com, place a qualifying bet on the Japanese Derby and claim free bets and betting offers once it settles.
Can I watch the 2026 Japanese Derby live?
Several bookmakers stream the Japanese Derby live from Tokyo. Fund your account or place a qualifying bet, then watch the Japanese Derby in-play from start to finish.