Jockey Ryusei Sakai, who rode Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) to a narrow third-place effort in the 2024 GI Kentucky Derby and has since piloted him to four top-level victories, has picked up the ride on G2 UAE Derby winner Wonder Dean (Jpn) (Dee Majesty {Jpn}) for this year's Run to the Roses on May 2, NetKeiba reported Saturday.Sakai, who turns 29 on May 31, will also renew his partnership with Forever Young owner Susumu Fujita's Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic, the race which traditionally immediately precedes the Derby. The €2.3-million Arqana August topper from 2022, trained by Yoshito Yahagi, was ridden by Sakai to a front-running victory on foreign soil in the 2025 G2 Neom Turf Cup before doubling up with Forever Young in the G1 Saudi Cup a short time later. Three times placed at Group 1 level, Shin Emperor was a latest fourth in defense of his Neom Turf Cup title on Feb. 14.American-bred T O Elvis (Volatile) was confirmed earlier this week for the GI Churchill Downs Stakes and Sakai has picked up the ride for trainer Daisuke Takayanagi, who will also saddle Wonder Dean in the main event. The jockey has two wins from two rides aboard the talented 4-year-old colt, each in allowance company over the metric six furlongs last August and September. When T O Elvis won the G3 Capella Stakes in his most recent start Dec, 14, he carried Katsuma Sameshima to a towering five-length success.T O Elvis will take the flight to the U.S. alongside Danon Bourbon (Maxfield), who in the Derby will retain the services of Atsuya Nishimura. The 26-year-old, a winner of 13 races on the JRA circuit, was in the irons for a Feb. 15 allowance over 1900 meters and for the Fukuryu Stakes (allowance) going nine panels Mar. 28.The post Sakai To Ride Wonder Dean In Derby, Secures Two Other Mounts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.