Grade II February Stakes Cap’s Big Day in Japan
Race ID:3868.5014
Grade I The February Stakes
$2,000,000, 4 Year Olds and Up
One Mile (8 F)
Track: Dirt
The local crowd still buzzing from the Grade II Kyoto Stakes, a competitive field lined of fourteen up for the 1st Edition of the $2M GI The February Stakes over a mile of dirt in Japan. With post time favourite WATERGATE SCANDAL(KY) jonsnow at almost 5-1, it was clear the crowd was having difficulty focusing on one horse to support setting the stage for a big score. As expected, Watergate Scandal(KY) broke alertly from the gate to take an early lead for the thirteenth consecutive time in his career employing a “catch me if you can strategy” in an attempt to wire this field. Pressing the pace early was SPECIAL HAACK(KY) ottohaack as the majority of the field was content to sit four to six lengths off the contentious pace being cut out by those two. At the top of the stretch Watergate Scandal(KY) was full of run and opened up a commanding four length lead and looked safe however both HOOSIER MINER(KY) escena and WOODEN MINISTER(KY) pogs1 had other ideas as they set themselves down for the drive. Jockey C. Roser had eventual winner Hoosier Miner(KY) in a perfect striking position throughout having been patient while waiting to pounce at the precise moment. That moment came in mid-stretch as he charged hard to pass the tiring leader drawing off to win by a half length. Perhaps the one moving best at the end was Wooden Minister(KY) who had made up six lengths after encountering traffic trouble at the top of the stretch but still managed to finish second. The Grade I Diplomat Way Handicap turned out to be a key race last month. The first, second and fourth place finishers here today all came out of that event where they finished one-two-three. On that day, Wooden Minister(KY) got the better of today’s winner here in Japan. Watergate Scandal(KY) managed to hold off SAHARA DESERT(AUS) godmother for third.
GRADED HANDICAPS: Hladun said …
PP 10: 14048 HOOSIER MINER(KY) escena (9/1) RANK: 77
“This five year old homebred son of Mineshaft has eight career wins and $1.1M in his bankroll to date and has really stepped it up in his last three events. His rating style will be seriously challenged by the “catch me if you can” tactics of jonsnow’s entry so he’ll need to keep that one in his cross hairs throughout. He comes out of the Grade I Diplomat Way Handicap where he finished a closing second in a smart 108. A contender in this spot if ready.”
QUESTION:
Can he catch WATERGATE SCANDAL(KY)? Magic 8 Ball says … “It is certain”
PP 6: 1586 WOODEN MINISTER(KY) pogs1 (7/1) RANK: 107
“This five year old millionaire son of Hennessy is a high percentage shooter with eight wins in only twenty one career starts. He comes into this event having won the Grade I Diplomat Way Handicap in his last start covering the one mile distance in a flat 1:34 (111). Both he and the second place finisher from that event have made the trip overseas from Kentucky to compete here. He’s somewhat of an in and outer of late so your guess is as good as mine.”
QUESTION:
Will he bounce off that monster win last time out? Magic 8 Ball says … “Cannot predict now”
PP 9: 81310 WATERGATE SCANDAL(KY) jonsnow (9/2) RANK: 31
“This five year old son of Empire Maker is a consistent type who has been well placed and very productive now for well over a year. He has a lot of speed and is difficult to run down if allowed to wander out in front all alone. Over his last twelve starts he has not been headed at any call to the top of the stretch and has managed to hang on to the wire in four of them and in the money seventy five percent of the time. A winner of eleven races and $1.7M to date, he will be tough at this eight furlong distance. A dangerous threat to wire this field.”
QUESTION:
Will he try to wire this field today? Magic 8 Ball says … “You may rely on it”
MEDIA QUOTES:
“We got a measure of revenge today from the loss in the Diplomat Way so I’m happy for him. I thought he was best that day too but racing luck wasn’t with him in Kentucky. We’ll see how he cools out and decide where we go from here. We may stay in Europe for awhile as the cross continental travel can take a huge toll on a horse so we’ll do what’s bets for him” … escena (in the winner’s circle)
“Did you just see that … if we don’t hit a wall of traffic at the top of the stretch we win easy! He ran great and I’m so proud of him right now. He hasn’t been the most consistent of late so this was a really nice performance coming off winning the Diplomat Way last month.” … pogs1
“We weren’t going to change a thing today. Our best strategy has been to carve out a lead as easily as possible and slow the pace down in an attempt to last to the wire. Davis’s horse pushed us early which took a bit out of my horse and became apparent in deep stretch … still I could see the wire coming and hoped for the best. I’m not disappointed though, he ran a strong race and we’ll be back” … G. Arnold (jockey aboard Watergate Scandal(KY))
“I was caught up in the traffic jam at the top of the stretch like others and when I finally shook free we just had too much to do to get there in time. This horse is improving and will only get better later in the season” … D. May (jockey aboard fourth place finisher Sahara Desert(AUS))