Rickey bids for repeat February win

Racing at the top level returns in Japan with the running of the GI February S. Sunday, one of only two Grade 1 races on dirt in the country. In the absence of Dubai-bound dirt horse of the year Hokko Tarumae (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), second in this race a year ago and victorious in the GI Champions Cup (Japan Cup Dirt) in December, the race looks set to present his old rival Copano Rickey (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}) with a historical double. The 5-year-old was half a length on top of Hokko Tarumae in this event last year, and has won on three more occasions from six starts since, including a four-length triumph in the G2 Tokai S. last time out. Copano Rickey was campaigned over 1800 meters to 2000 meters this year, yet connections are not worried about the drop back in trip. “ He won last year’s February Stakes and after that the Kashiwa Kinen, so I’d say he is best suited to the mile and I’m looking forward to the race,” said trainer Akira Murayama. 

Most of the other contenders have already chased home Hokko Tarumae and Copano Rickey. In the GI Tokyo Daishoten Dec. 29, won by the former with the latter four lengths back in second, Happy Sprint (Jpn) (Ammirare {Jpn}) finished fourth and Roman Legend (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}) in fifth position. Roman Legend had previously run third in Hokko Tarumae’s Champions Cup, with the mare Sambista (Jpn) (Suzuka Mambo {Jpn}) and Wonder Acute (Jpn)(Charismatic {Jpn}) respectively checking in fourth and fifth. 

Kazenoko (Jpn) (Agnes Digital) is the one with the best recent form against the reigning dirt champion, having run him down to 3/4 length in a local Grade I on the NRA circuit Jan. 28, although over the longer trip of 2100 meters. “All has gone well [since his last start]” trainer Kenji Nonaka commented about the 4-year-old. “ It’s a little tight between races so on Feb. 11, we worked him up the hill course,” he added. “I think the mile may be a bit busy for him, but he can likely get sufficient cover down the long Tokyo stretch. He has a good, solid finish, so I’m hoping the pace will be a bit fast.”