With several of Japan’s top dirt runners chasing the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) riches, the February Stakes (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse has drawn an eclectic mix of surface-switchers, invaders from the National Association of Racing circuit, and a few bona fide stay-at-home types.
The Feb. 18 race is one of only two Japan Racing Association grade 1 events on dirt in Japan, bookended by the Champions Cup (G1) in December. It also is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series event for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in November at Del Mar.
It will be televised live on FanDuel TV overnight at 1:40 a.m. ET.
The 2023 February winner, Lemon Pop , is one of those expected to contest the Saudi Cup. So is Ushba Tesoro , the reigning Dubai World Cup (G1) champion.
That leaves Wilson Tesoro and Dura Erede as likely favorites in the February Cup.
Wilson Tesoro, a 5-year-old by Kitasan Black , finished second to Lemon Pop in the Champions Cup Dec. 3, then came back just 26 days later to finish second to Ushba Tesoro in the Tokyo Daishoten (G1), a grade 1 on the NAR circuit on the Oi Racecourse dirt.
“He drew widest in his last race and was the last to load, but he got off to a good start, and with no other horse wanting to lead, he went to the front,” said assistant trainer Masahiro Yokota. “He ran at his own pace but was eventually beaten by one of the world’s top horses. So it was a good race for him when you consider this, and that he also beat home some other good horses.”
Dura Erede, a 4-year-old by Duramente , looked like a budding star on the grass when he won the 2022 Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Nakayama. But from that, he went to Dubai for the UAE Derby (G2), finishing second to Derma Sotogake , who not coincidentally, also is expected in the Saudi Cup field.
Things went sideways when he failed to finish in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1) and reported 10th and eighth in two subsequent starts on the turf. A switch back to the dirt flipped his switch, resulting in third-place showings in both the Champions Cup and Tokyo Daishoten.
“He stumbled slightly at the start last time, and he didn’t pick up so well between the third and fourth corners,” trainer Manabu Ikezoe said. “He was perhaps still a little tired after his run in the Champions Cup. Since being back at the stable, we’ve just confirmed that his condition is good.”
Ikezoe noted this will be Dura Erede’s first race as short as a mile, adding, “We’ll have to see what he can do.”
The others are more a mixed bag.
Champagne Color, another Duramente 4-year-old, won last year’s NHK Mile Cup (G1) but makes his first start on the dirt. Mick Fire, a 4-year-old by Sinister Minister , won his first seven starts, all on the NAR circuit, but hit the wall in his first grade 1, finishing eighth in the Tokyo Daishoten. King’s Sword, another by Sinister Minister, won five of his last seven starts but reported fifth in the Daishoten.
Lightly raced Omega Guiness got into the oversubscribed field based on earnings but the 4-year-old by Logotype , who boasts three wins and two seconds from five starts, benefits from the services of champion rider Christophe Lemaire.
“He can really run,” Lemaire said of Omega Guiness. “I’ve seen what he’s like as a rival when up against him on other horses … With other top horses having gone overseas, he has a good chance.”
And, if old guys do rule, look to Red le Zele , an 8-year-old who tackles this race for a fourth straight year. He finished fourth in 2021, sixth in 2022 and second in 2003. In between, he’s been second twice in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1).
