2026 Hyacinth Stakes - Notes and Ratings

As the Kentucky Derby trail finally starts to gain momentum, our attention turns to this international prep where emerging stars can earn their way to Churchill Downs. These potential stars are fairly unknown on this side of the ocean at this point, but it is imperative to get to a grasp on these guys and how they relate to our well-known crew as soon as possible.

The Hyacinth Stakes is run at 1600 meters (7.95f) on the dirt at Tokyo Racecourse and serves as the third leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Scheduled for February 22, 2026, it awards valuable points on a 30-15-9-6-3 scale to the top five finishers.

The left-handed dirt course has a circumference of approximately 1,899 meters (about 9.5f), with a notably long home straight of around 500 meters (about 1640 feet).

The deep sand-based surface typical of JRA tracks tends to play fast and fair, favoring speed while allowing closers a fair chance on the extended stretch.

Tokyo Racecourse, located in Fuchu on the outskirts of central Tokyo, stands as one of the world's premier thoroughbred venues.

Its massive grandstand accommodates enormous crowds and has an official maximum capacity of 223,000 spectators, making it the largest horse racing venue in the world by attendance potential.

In late February, conditions are generally good to fast, though rainy weather can influence as normally would.

The Hyacinth Stakes acts as a very crucial stepping stone. Winners and top finishers frequently target the Fukuryu Stakes which is the final Japan Road leg offering 40-20-12-8-4 points at Nakayama Racecourse on March 28, 2026.

Most connections though will route the most promising colts to the UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse also held on March 28. Bigger stage and bigger tally of Derby points 100-60-30-15-10 on the European/Middle East Road.

Examining the history of the Hyacinth Stakes offers valuable insight into breeding patterns that produce successful dirt performers in Japan, and potentially on the global stage.

It is very important to keep in mind that the Hyacinth is run at a very short 7.95f.

The winner of this race is not necessarily going to be built for the Fukuryu Stakes which is run at 1800 meters/8.94f.

Highly unlikely that the winner of the Hyacinth would be built for the UAE Derby either.

The Meydan race is run at 1900 meters/9.44f.

Most every colt will have one optimum distance, which is formulated by what he inherited through his chart.

The early monsters and the beasts of the track actually have no real optimum - they are proficient in a multitude of distances - they have a perfect balance of inbred speed and stamina, either displayed speed or inbred, and the ability to capture it and use it along the way. These are the cream of the crop and that part is highly necessary along the trail.

For all of these preps both here and abroad, but specifically this weekend for the Hyacinth, we are looking for a speedy beast with proper UAE DERBY configurations to win this race if he is to even be considered a Derby prospect. This is a tall ask, but not impossible.

First, let's take a quick look at how this translates to this past weekend's prep in the SAUDI DERBY.

The Saudi Derby is also an 8f race. A certain type of speedy "miler" would normally be advantaged in this race. A colt built with excessive speedy configurations with "just enough" stamina backing to either sustain it fully up front or enough to reserve it coming from the rear.

This year, Al Haram won the Saudi Derby. With the way he is built, it becomes extremely easy to discern both the UAE Derby and the Kentucky Derby potential that he is holding in spite of his disadvantage in the Saudi race.

DP = 2-2-9-1-0 (14) DI = 1.55   CD = 0.36 ANZ = 1.91

Mare Profile = 3-7-4-13-4   Speed = 10   Stamina = 17   Index = 0.68   Triads = 14-24-21

Obviously, those are are not 8f Dirt Mile numbers. The horse has 101% stamina blood (massive 10f+ stamina) but he was able to DISPLAY 8f SPEED in spite of how he is built.

He had ZERO advantage when he walked in that gate for these race parameters. His speed was not "watered down" by all of that stamina - it was intensified by it. His ability to work along side his "8f speedster foes" while holding massive 10f+ stamina is the sign of a true player moving forward.

This, in turn, makes him a 5 star rated Churchill player because it takes speed to win a race but it takes massive stamina to endure the full 10f track.

In addition, Al Haram is built like a beast historically for the UAE Derby.

If the winner was simply built for the Saudi Derby and displayed intensive speed, it may be quite impressive visually, however, he would fade into obscurity soon after. This is the reason for understanding how these numbers work and how they relate to each distance and each bias along the way.

Now we move to the Hyacinth Stakes.

Same thing. The "speedy" horses will be the advantaged here but if somehow one of them who is built for the UAE DERBY and/or the Kentucky Derby happens to win it - he will stand out like a sore thumb.

2026 Hyacinth Contenders:

Post 1 BOKU MADA NEMUIYO Chyrsoberyl

DP = 3-4-6-1-0 (14) DI = 2.50   CD = 0.64

Mare Profile = 1-6-3-15-3   Speed = 7   Stamina = 18   Index = 0.46   Triads = 10-24-21

Built for the 8f Hyacinth: ♥

Built for the UAE Derby: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Kentucky Derby Potential if displays speed in Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

• Four races under his belt, and all four at 1800m. He will be dropping down in distance for this one but his breeding wants to go in the opposite direction. Alot of stamina here. 12f Belmont Stakes type stamina. It would be a stretch for this guy at 1600m, definitely not built to be a miler, so if he can somehow find it, he would be a major contender moving forward.

POST 2 SUMMER MADNESS Good Magic

DP = 3-5-5-1-0 (14) DI = 3.00   CD = 0.71

Mare Profile = 3-8-2-11-6   Speed = 11   Stamina = 17   Index = 0.64   Triads = 13-21-19

Built for the 8f Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥

Built for the UAE Derby: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Kentucky Derby Potential if displays speed in Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ +

• Speed on top with massive stamina underneath. His 3.00 index helps him a bit for this distance. He is a lead tier runner and recently connected for the win at same distance. Six races and has hit the board in all. For one who is smothered in mare stamina (Good Magic!) he does exhibit speed ability while pressing the pace. The only kink for this weekend is that his last start and trip to the Winner's circle was on Feb 3rd - very quick turn around entering here. If he can pull this off with minimal rest, he'll be a good one moving forward.

  
  

POST 3 LUCKY KID Discreet Cat

DP = 0-6-5-1-0 (12) DI = 2.43   CD = 0.42

Mare Profile = 8-2-7-5-8   Speed = 10   Stamina = 13   Index = 0.89   Triads = 17-14-20

Built for the 8f Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥ +

Built for the UAE Derby: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ +

Kentucky Derby Potential if displays speed in Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

• Godolphin colt who broke his 2 year old debut maiden back in October pressing the pace in the rain. Two more races and he found himself mid-pack and away from the wire. Posted a 3rd and 8th place thereafter. He showed some speed allegiance in the rain up front but never had the position again. Because he was able to move in the rain and get himself up front from gate 11 on a 16 horse field at the same distance once, he may be able to do it again. We have a little bit of speed evidence going into this race.

POST 4 TAIKI BLITZEN Mozu Ascot

DP = 3-0-12-3-0 (18) DI = 1.00   CD = 0.17

Mare Profile = 2-6-6-10-4   Speed = 8   Stamina = 14   Index = 0.67   Triads = 14-22-20

Built for the 8f Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥

Built for the UAE Derby: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Kentucky Derby Potential if displays speed in Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

• Second generation Frankel colt who broke his maiden after 2 previous attempts running gate to wire at 1600m. Race record at 3-1-1-0 and all 3 races at this distance and severely packed fields. Based on his last winning race, this horse is already showing some evidence of speed and he is drenched in stamina. This is the horse that stands out should he procure that lead again. If he gets left to the rear out of the gate, he'll have a very hard time. Very nice configurations for the future and form from last race gives him a shot again at this short distance. Could be a good one moving forward from here.

POST 5 SEIZE THE THROWN Kizuna

DP = 2-3-8-3-0 (16) DI = 1.29   CD = 0.25

Mare Profile = 7-4-3-9-7   Speed = 11   Stamina = 16   Index = 0.81   Triads = 14-16-19

Built for the 8f Hyacinth: ♥ ♥

Built for the UAE Derby: ♥ ♥ ♥

Kentucky Derby Potential if displays speed in Hyacinth: ♥ ♥

• This colt has raced 7 times already and the Hyacinth will be the shortest race he has ever seen. Six races at 1800m and 1 at 2000m. Has only won one race and that was back when he was a 2 year old. Tamamo Freesia demolished him in his next race after that win. Very neutral all the way around but the drop in distance could aid his cause.

POST 6 ITTERASSHAI Mischevious Alex

DP = 1-2-2-1-0 (6) DI = 2.00   CD = 0.50

Mare Profile = 8-3-4-7-5   Speed = 11   Stamina = 12   Index = 1.10   Triads = 15-14-16

Built for the 8f Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Built for the UAE Derby: ♥ ♥

Kentucky Derby Potential if displays speed in Hyacinth: ♥

• Will be dropping down in distance from his 1800m maiden win on Dec 13th. Attempted 1600m in debut and captured 3rd place. Mares are more bent towards speed so he has a board hit shot here but that's about as far as it goes.

POST 7 YU PHAROAH American Pharoah

DP = 3-3-3-1-0 (10) DI = 3.00   CD = 0.80

Mare Profile = 8-4-3-9-4   Speed = 12   Stamina = 13   Index = 1.15   Triads = 15-16-16

Built for the 8f Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥

Built for the UAE Derby: ♥

Kentucky Derby Potential if displays speed in Hyacinth: ♥

• Half decent 2nd and 3rd place in his first two debuts, then connections threw this guy into 3 consecutive Stakes races before even hitting a maiden winner's circle. Last 3 races: 6th, 6th, and 12th. He may have some backing in his breeding for this 8f contest, however, does he even want to participate? And if he does, there isn't much for later.

POST 8 DON ERECTUS Danon Legend

DP = 2-1-5-0-0 (8) DI = 2.20   CD = 0.63

Mare Profile = 1-4-8-10-3   Speed = 5   Stamina = 13   Index = 0.58   Triads = 13-22-21

Built for the 8f Hyacinth: ♥ ♥

Built for the UAE Derby: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Kentucky Derby Potential if displays speed in Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

• Became a 2nd place notable contender after his 2nd place behind Satona Voyage in the Cattleya Sho in December. He showed serious late speed after running into extremely slow early fractions. This means that we have already witnessed speed potential at the same distance for a horse that is loaded in stamina. Unfortunately, he bombed in an allowance thereafter but it could have been Post One that did him in. If he rebounds here and shows that killer late speed again from the Cattleya, he has a shot moving forward.

POST 9 YOUR FELICITY Le Vent Se Leve

DP = 1-0-4-1-0 (6) DI = 1.00   CD = 0.17

Mare Profile = 4-4-2-12-6   Speed = 8   Stamina = 18   Index = 0.54   Triads = 10-18-20

Built for the 8f Hyacinth: ♥

Built for the UAE Derby: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Kentucky Derby Potential if displays speed in Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ +

• The son of Le Vent Se Leve is hard to back. Drenched in stamina and likes to run closer to the pace would normally be a nice factor to grab onto but there is a huge kink here. This horse just ran in a 1600m allowance race on 2/15 - came in 4th. Now connections roll him back into an important Derby Prep one week later? Gorgeous UAE Derby numbers and fantastic Kentucky Derby numbers and we need to see evidence of displayed 8f speed but are we looking at a tired horse? That hurts. If he manages to pull this one off, he'd be a bon-a-fide monster.

POST 10 ARCADIA CAFE Into Mischief

DP = 2-0-2-0-0 (4) DI = 3.00   CD = 1.00

Mare Profile = 4-10-4-6-7   Speed = 14   Stamina = 13   Index = 0.92   Triads = 18-20-17

Built for the 8f Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Built for the UAE Derby: ♥ ♥ ♥ +

Kentucky Derby Potential if displays speed in Hyacinth: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

• Into Mischief son would have advantage in this 8f race and then again in Kentucky, but may have troubles in the UAE Derby. He did well in his first 2 races, grabbed 2nd place in debut at 1400m, came back at 1600m and won his maiden. Then he came in 3rd place in the Cattleya Sho. At least he is consistent with board hits.