The first grade one stakes of the Japan Racing Association calendar, the February Stakes (G1), will be conducted Feb. 18 at Tokyo Racecourse. While some of the top contenders in the dirt division have left Japan to compete in the lucrative Saudi Cup (G1) the following weekend, a quality field of 16 runners assembled for the ¥259,200,000 (US$1.73 million) event.
The likely race favorite will be Wilson Tesoro, runner-up both in the Dec. 3 Champions Cup (G1) and Dec. 29 Tokyo Daishoten (G1) in his two most recent outings. Though the son of Kitasan Black (JPN) was nominated to the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup, he didn’t receive an invitation and switched targets to the February Stakes.
The connections of Wilson Tesoro are hopeful for a strong performance in the February Stakes to boost the 5-year-old’s global rating so that he can receive an invitation to compete in the March 30 Dubai World Cup (G1).
Kohei Matsuyama will replace Yusuke Hara aboard Wilson Tesoro, since the regular rider suffered a foot injury from a spill Feb. 3 at Tokyo Racecourse.
An intriguing entry in the February Stakes is 2023 NHK Mile Cup (G1) victor Champagne Color. While the 4-year-old Duramente colt has never run a dirt race, his pedigree suggests he can act on dirt as well as on turf. His sire is also represented by Dura Erede , a formidable horse on the dirt and one of the leading contenders in February Stakes.
