With many of Japan’s top dirt horses otherwise occupied in Saudi Arabia, the February Stakes (G1) Feb. 18 at Tokyo Racecourse always had the potential for a surprise outcome.
Even in that context, it was a stunner when Peptide Nile, at odds of 38-1, led home a parade of long shots in the Feb. 18 event while the favorite, Omega Guineas, struggled home 14th, defeating only two rivals.
The result enriched the boldest of bettors and, improbably, earned Peptide Nile, a 6-year-old by King Kamehameha , a “Win and You’re In” automatic pass to the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in November at Del Mar.
What a finish! 🤩
Watch as longshot Peptide Nile (JPN) wins the February Stakes and earns an automatic berth into the @Longines #BreedersCup Classic at @DelMarRacing for #BC24.
Read more: https://t.co/AA2PTDx8UL pic.twitter.com/RAnkFv0kU2
— Breeders’ Cup (@BreedersCup) February 18, 2024
While several of his rivals were battle-tested in graded stakes, Peptide Nile was making his first start at the highest level and had never won above the listed category in his 19 previous starts. In his last outing, the Tokai Stakes (G2) at Kyoto Jan. 21, he finished sixth.
That didn’t discourage jockey Yusuke Fujioka, who got Peptide Nile away cleanly and assumed a prominent spot just behind the leading pack. He held that position as the field swung into the long Tokyo Racecourse stretch run, then quickly picked up the pace.
With 200 meters to go, Peptide Nile had the lead and all Fujioka had to do was get his mount to keep it.
With the early leaders fading and no one making up ground on him, Peptide Nile rolled home first by 1 3/4 lengths over Gaia Force with Sekifu third and Tagano Beauty fourth. Second-favorite Wilson Tesoro reported eighth and third-favorite Dura Erede finished 12th.
“The pace was tough but (Peptide Nile) ran a great race,” said Fujioka, who claimed his second grade 1 win on the Japan Racing Association circuit and first since 2018. “We were able to sit in a better position than expected but I didn’t imagine he would take over the lead that early and that easily; the wire seemed very far today.”
Assistant trainer Kaname Ogino summed things up accurately before the race: “With the speed he has, he should be able to get into the flow of the race over a mile. … With there being no one standout horse in the race, I think he has a good enough chance if he can run his own race.”
Fujioka said the performance bodes well going forward.
“His last start didn’t turn out as hoped, but as long as he’s able to run in good rhythm as he did today, I’m sure we can look forward to solid performances in the future,” Fujioka said.
The February Stakes is one of only two grade 1 dirt races on the JRA calendar and usually is a key factor in determining year-end honors. While Peptide Nile’s victory puts him in that picture for now, he will have to back up the win later in the season when the likes of Lemon Pop , Ushba Tesoro , Derma Sotogake , Crown Pride , and Jasper Krone return from Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
Peptide Nile, out of the Manhattan Café mare Queen Olive, was bred by Kineusu Bokujo and races for Kazuhiko Numakawa.
