G1, The February Stakes
| Japan (JPN) Saturday, February 11, 2023 — 3:30:00 PM EST | Race ID : 3012555 | |
| The February Stakes | |
| Grade I / Group 1*CPU – Purse : $750,000 | |
| Restricted to 4 Year Olds and Older | |
| 8 Furlongs | ~1600 Meters | One Mile | Fast Dirt |
This weekend we have a the G1, The February Stakes that will be a headliner on the card in Japan. The race is restricted to 4 year old and older horses and will be at the distance of 8 furlongs across the fast dirt track. We have a full field of fourteen horses that have come to Japan and entered the race in the quest to get this big G1 win. The morning line odds have been released and the post positions have been drawn. Let us now take a preview of the fourteen horses that will be running this Saturday in Japan in the G1, The February Stakes.
| 1 | HIGHBROW HUMOR | KY | 4M | xpansion91 | W Cahill | 14 | 5 | 86% | $160,554 | 32.00 | 16/1 |
First out we will see this Chestnut Colt who was sired by Quality Road (QUALITY ROAD x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x DISTORTED HUMOR). This horse in fourteen prior starts has found the boards in twelve of his races. One he would get a miss on would come in his most recent start on 12/25/2022 in Illinois. He would go 8 furlongs in the G3, More Slop. The track was definitely sloppy that day, but this horse did show some effort in the race as he crossed under the wire in fourth and just missed hitting the boards. He will get a fast track here in Japan which could be helpful in his efforts when he comes out to represent the Midas residency.
| 2 | EL CUBANITO | KY | 5M | castillete | O A Haack | 20 | 5 | 55% | $229,195 | 9.00 | 9/1 |
Here we have a Bay Horse who was sired by More Than Ready (MORE THAN READY x STORM CAT x MR. PROSPECTOR). This horse has hit the boards in his two most recent Allowance starts at this 8 furlong distance. Last time out he ran in Kentucky on 12/25/2022 going 8 furlongs in a $76500 Allowance. He closed down the stretch nicely after being over seven lengths back at the third call. He kicked down the stretch and got up for the win by two and a half with a 117 speed rating. He will come out this Saturday and make a first time graded start when he breaks from his gate representing the Latinos Del Mundo residency.
| 3 | IBIZA TWENTY | AUS | 4M | deyoto10 | R Dogs | 15 | 4 | 67% | $327,690 | 40.00 | 22/1 |
Next, we have this Bay Colt who was sired by Pride Of Dubai (PRIDE OF DUBAI (AUS) x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x TAPIT). Back in June of last year he found the wire first in the G3, The Affirmative in California. He had two difficult starts after that race and then came his most recent start when he was dropped in class to run in Kentucky on 01/01/2023 in a $78000 Allowance race. He ran well in this race and made a closing attempt for the lead in his stretch run. He would fall just short and cross the wire in second with a 114 speed rating. He gets another big graded opportunity this weekend as he moves back up in class to take on the contenders here in Japan when he comes out of the paddock to represent the Midas residency.
| 4 | NINO CATANESE | FR | 6M | haack03 | J Selden | 17 | 5 | 76% | $209,917 | 5.94 | 13/1 |
Here we have a Bay Horse who was sired by Redoute’s Choice (REDOUTE’S CHOICE x SADLER’S WELLS x ALYDAR). The horse was running and doing well on the turf but back in August of last season he would be moved over to the dirt. He has had four starts in a row on the dirt now and has hit the boards in three of those races. Last time out he was moved up in class to run in Denmark on 12/24/2022 in a Listed Stakes, Shangrilas Ransom Dirt Sprint. He wasted no time out of the gate to grab the lead and then would continue for a gate to wire trip to get the win with a 117 speed rating. He gets his opportunity to move up in class here in Japan this weekend. He needs to show us he can go around two turns successfully when he comes out this weekend representing the Latinos Del Mundo residency.
| 5 | AWESOME GIANTS | KY | 6G | beerkeg1 | C Mecklenburg | 22 | 8 | 45% | $3,597,601 | 64.00 | 6/1 |
This is a Chestnut Gelding who was sired by Awesome Again (AWESOME AGAIN x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x A.P. INDY). This horse has been running all of his recent starts at the G1 level on both the dirt and turf. He has however not won a G1 race since November of 2021 when he got the win in the G1, Breeders’ Bowl Mile on the turf track. Last time out we saw this horse on 12/31/2022 running on the dirt in Kentucky at 8 furlongs in the G1, Frostbite Mile. He looked sluggish throughout this race and was never a threat when he crossed the wire well back in thirteenth with a 106 speed rating. He needs to show marked improvement from that most recent start and give a rebounding effort here in Japan when he makes his way to his gate representing the Drunken Jockeys Club residency.
| 6 | HAGRIDDEN | KY | 4M | foundational2 | D Raymond | 11 | 5 | 82% | $2,980,460 | 136.00 | 16/1 |
Here we have a Light Grey Colt that is a scratch bred (MEDAGLIA D’ORO x UNBRIDLED x ALYDAR). He has been running exclusively at the G1 level in all of his most recent starts. This EOY Award winner two starts back took to the track in Kentucky to run in the G1, Breeders’ Bowl Dirt Mile. He was making a gate to wire attempt in this race and was caught late in the stretch to finish up second with a 121 speed rating. Last time out he ran on 11/19/2022 going 8 furlongs in New York in the G1, Sterile Mile. He could not find his spot upfront in this race and had a difficult trip as he crossed the wire in eighth with a 112 speed rating. The owner is in hope of seeing a little more effort out of his horse this time out in Japan when he makes his way out of the paddock representing the GR Simsters.
| 7 | SCHEISSER MOT | AUS | 8G | woodford | MD Salisbury | 30 | 2 | 37% | $125,135 | 0.00 | 70/1 |
This is a Light Grey Gelding who was sired by Artie Schiller (ARTIE SCHILLER x NADEEM (AUS) x KINGMAMBO). He has had his share of troubles in recent starts and has been running on both the dirt and turf surface. Last time out we saw this horse running on 06/11/2022 in Germany going 9 furlongs in a $49700 NW1y Allowance race on the turf. He ran well in the early going of the race but by the time of the third call he was losing ground quickly and finished the race well back in fifth. He needs to show up much improved this weekend when he takes off from his gate draw representing the Oz Racing Stables residency.
| 8 | MOUNT KUSHMORE | KY | 5G | beerpong | R Hansen | 18 | 5 | 61% | $667,706 | 186.00 | 7/1 |
Here we have a Light Grey Gelding that is a scratch bred (MEDAGLIA D’ORO x SMART STRIKE x TAPIT). Two starts back this horse hit it big in New York when he closed up shop and took the win in the G1, Sterile Mile with a 120 speed rating. Then came his most recent start on 12/31/2022 in Kentucky when he traveled 8 furlongs in the G1, Frostbite Mile. He would not be able to get back to back G1 wins as he ran a flat race and crossed the wire in seventh with a 112 speed rating. He needs to show up with a rebounding effort this time out in Japan when he makes his way out in the post parade representing the Drunken Jockeys Club residency.
| 9 | RELINQUISHED IT | KY | 4M | trafford | A Hewitson | 9 | 4 | 78% | $112,289 | 13.50 | 20/1 |
This is a Bay Colt that is a scratch bred (HARD SPUN x MISWAKI x WILD AGAIN). In his most recent starts this horse has been running very well for the owner at the Allowance level. Last time out we saw him on the track in Dubai on 12/17/2023 when he went 8.25 furlongs in a $49700 NW4x Allowance race. He battled upfront throughout the race and had finally found the lead by the time of third call. But in the stretch, he was run down and ended up crossing the wire in second with a 115 speed rating. This horse gets his first graded start this weekend as he takes a big jump in class when he comes out here in Japan to represent the Hoosier Racing residency.
| 10 | ROYAL LUNACY | ENG | 5G | driveling | M Perez | 19 | 5 | 63% | $216,352 | 17.50 | 10/1 |
Here we have next this Bay Gelding who was sired by Kingman (KINGMAN x CITY ZIP x BERNARDINI). He had been doing very well for the owner in his Allowance starts. Last time out he was moved up in class on 11/20/2022 going 8 furlongs in Hong Kong in a Listed Stakes, Fly For Buda Dirt Mile. In the early going of the race, he was placed very well in second. In his stretch run he could not hold on to that spot or make his way forward as he fell back to cross the wire in fifth with a 112 speed rating. He will be taking a big jump in class this weekend. He needs to show some extra effort to prove he can compete here in Japan when he comes out to represent the Only Stayers residency.
| 11 | AN INQUISITION | KY | 5M | foxhold | J Benisz | 23 | 7 | 52% | $1,354,040 | 192.00 | 6/1 |
Coming out next will be this Bay Horse who was sired by Distorted Humor (DISTORTED HUMOR x STORM CAT x MR. PROSPECTOR). In his two most recent starts he has shown up the groomsman in second in the G1, Sterile Mile and in the G1, Frostbite Mile. On 12/31/2022 in Kentucky he would make that start in the G1, Frostbite Mile. He put up a big effort in this race as he traveled the 8 furlong dirt track. He had J Benisz in the saddle who is a favored jockey to this horse. But he would fall short by one and a half strides to place second with a 121 speed rating. Again, J Benisz will be talking the mount up top here in Japan. This horse seems to be in the hunt for a G1 win and the owner is in hope this Saturday will be his day to get it when he is sent out at post time to represent the Pastures Of Green residency.
| 12 | DEPUTY IS AMERICAN | KY | 6M | stockswami23 | Z Kentucky | 20 | 5 | 50% | $239,980 | 25.00 | 9/1 |
Next, we will see this Light Grey Horse that is a scratch bred (AMERICAN PHAROAH x UNBRIDLED’S SONG x DEPUTY MINISTER). This horse has not been off the boards in his five most recent starts. Four of these starts were at the Allowance level but his most recent start was a Listed Stakes. That most recent start was in New York on 12/10/2022 when he went 8 furlongs in the Carson And Dane Dirt Mile. He had a clean start out of the gate and soon made his way to the front where he refused to give up his lead and lead the group around the track to finish first by a head with a 116 speed rating. He will take a big jump in class this weekend as he is sent out for his first graded trip. This horse likes to get out quick and grab the lead. If he has a good race this is where I would expect to see him in the early going when he breaks from his gate to the cheers of an excited crowd.
| 13 | SUBTLE DETAILS | KY | 5M | rtribbett2 | D Givins | 15 | 8 | 100% | $691,450 | 226.00 | 7/2 |
Here we have a Bay Horse who was sired by Empire Maker (EMPIRE MAKER x ELUSIVE QUALITY x DIXIELAND BAND). This horse has been running very well for the owner and has had multiple graded wins and placings. It was in his most recent race that he would hit the jackpot. He made the start in Kentucky on 12/31/2022 going 8 furlongs in the G1, Frostbite Mile. He bolted out of the gate and never looked back as he went gate to wire to get the win by one and a half strides with a 123 speed rating. He will be looking for back to back G1 wins when he comes to Japan this weekend. There are several horses in the crowd that also like to run upfront of which he needs to be aware. He gets a familiar jockey this weekend to ride with him when he comes out at post time to represent The Mecca residency.
| 14 | HOT RED STAR | JPN | 6G | seaeagle09 | N Bonus | 25 | 5 | 64% | $196,549 | 7.00 | 13/1 |
Loading up in the far gate this weekend will be this Bay Gelding who was sired by Aldebaran (ALDEBARAN x MR SPEAKER x RESET). This horse has definitely shown that he can compete at the Allowance level but when trying to move up in class he has been met with difficulties. Last time out he ran on 01/14/2023 in Dubai going 8 furlongs in the G3, The Khartoum Challenge l. He remained competitive in the early going but in his stretch run he would tire and fade way back to thirteen as he went under the wire with a 101 speed rating. He needs to prove he can overcome these difficulties at the stakes level of racing and show up with a good effort here in Japan to remain competitive when he makes his way over to his gate representing the Black Mourning residency.
Good luck to all owners and horses!
Skippy’s Watch List
8-Mount Kushmore: Rough trip last time out. Can he get things back together?
11-An Inquisition: Second both times in his two most recent G1’s. Does he get the win this time?
13-Subtle Details: Seeks his third win in a row. Can he get it here in Japan?
Tarton’s Long Shot
6-Hagridden: Back in November of last season this horse came in second in the G1, Breeders’ Bowl Dirt Mile. This horse has a long list of accomplishments which include multiple G1 wins and placings in some very big races throughout his career. This EOY Award winner will be going off at 16/1 in the morning and he can be dangerous if he has a good trip. He is going to see a lot of big competition upfront in this race as this one looks like a bunny farm full of rabbits. The odds are good to make a little money here if this horse can spark again with another big speed rating and find a spot on the boards. He gets put on my exotic tickets this weekend when headed to the betting windows.
Great job in the article, Naskippy!