Kentucky-Breds Win Derby, Breeders' Cup Preps in Japan

Mozu Ascot, making just his second start on dirt, earned a Breeders' Cup berth with a victory in the Feb. 23 February Stakes (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse, and Cafe Pharoah moved to the top of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby standings in the Hyacinth Stakes.

Both are Kentucky-breds.

Mozu Ascot, a 6-year-old son of Frankel, seems to have found a new lease on life on the dirt. He won his first start on the surface Feb. 2 in a prep for the February Stakes, defeating several rivals more experienced at that specialty.

The veteran found the Tokyo course to his liking. After racing in midpack, he still had plenty to do as the field turned for home. As the leaders spread out, jockey Christophe Lemaire asked Mozu Ascot to pick things up, and he responded quickly.

Between the 400-meter and 200-meter markers, he made up all the ground and drew off with authority. Lemaire took a peek over his shoulder with 100 meters to run and saw nothing worrisome, coasting home by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:35.2.

Best of the rest was K T Brave, who was dispatched at odds of 142-1. Sunrise Nova and Wonder Lider were third and fourth, respectively.

"He broke well, and we were able to settle right behind Inti as planned," Lemaire said. "His acceleration was extraordinary. Although he is a newcomer in dirt racing, he adapted immediately to the surface and gave his best today.

"After a couple of seconds in the past, I, myself, am happy to have won the February Stakes at last."

It was Lemaire's 28th grade 1 win in Japan.

Mozu Ascot, bred by Summer Wind Farm, won the 2018 Yasuda Kinen (G1) on the turf, and the February win made him the fifth horse to win top-level Japanese races on both surfaces.

Mozu Ascot became the first horse guaranteed a spot in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in November at Keeneland through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. His owners, racing as Capital System, already have indicated they are open to international travel, targeting the April 4 Doncaster Mile (G1) in Australia.

Two races earlier, Cafe Pharoah won the Hyacinth Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths.

The victory was an eye-catcher as Cafe Pharoah, ridden by Mirco Demuro, missed the start from gate 3 and trailed the other 13 horses throughout the run down the backstretch. He was then forced wide around the sweeping turn before wearing down the leaders late.

The American Pharoah  colt bred by Paul Pompa was followed across the finish line by Tagano Beauty and Yaugau.

Cafe Pharoah finished the mile in 1:37.7 and improved to 2-for-2. He won his first start Dec. 14 at Nakayama going 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles).

Trainer Noriyuki Hori, as is his custom, was noncommittal about Cafe Pharoah's next start.

"As for the future plan for the horse, I will discuss with the owner and decide," Hori said.

The winner earned 30 points toward a spot in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), jumping to the top of the Japanese leaderboard in the competition, which is separate from the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings. Vacation, the winner of the second leg, did not contest the Hyacinth and is in second position with 20 points. Tagano Beauty moved into third after earning 12 points.

The series concludes March 28 at Nakayama with the Fukuryu Stakes offering points on a 40-16-8-4 scale, so the issue is far from decided.