Derby winners defeated in Japan, Louisville

Nov. 28 (UPI) -- It was a weekend of breakthroughs in horse racing with Proxy winning the Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs at the expense of Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike and Vela Azul upsetting the Japan Cup over 2021 Japanese Derby winner Shahryar.

It was the first top-level win for both Proxy and Vela Azul.

While two Derby winners were going down to defeat, hopefuls for the 2023 Run for the Roses were on the track in Louisville and Tokyo. Instant Coffee and Continuar earned points toward a spot in the Churchill Downs starting gate May 6.

And that action was supported by some classy racing on both turf and dirt from coast to coast.

Kentucky Derby winner back on track, '23 Derby contenders try out in Kentucky , Japan

Derby winners defeated in Japan, Louisville

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