The first JRA Grade 1 race of 2025 is set to unfold this Sunday, February 23, at Tokyo Racecourse, where the prestigious February Stakes will be contested for the 42nd time. Run over 1,600 meters on dirt with a turf start, this race is one of only two Grade 1 dirt events in Japan, alongside the Champions Cup in December.

First introduced in 1984 as a Grade 3 event under the name February Handicap, the race gradually climbed the ranks, achieving domestic Grade 1 status in 1997. In 2007, it was elevated to an international Grade 1, welcoming overseas runners, with North American contender Shirl’s Speight becoming the first foreign entrant in 2023, finishing ninth. Since 2016, the race has also served as a “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders’ Cup.

Despite major international races in Saudi Arabia and Dubai looming, 23 horses have been nominated for this year’s February Stakes, with a maximum field of 16 set to compete. Open to four-year-olds and older, the race carries a weight of 58kg, with fillies and mares receiving a 2kg allowance. The race record of 1:33.8 was set by Cafe Pharoah in 2022. This year, the winner will take home JPY120 million (approximately USD800,000) from a total purse of JPY260 million.

Recent trends show that five of the past ten winners were race favorites, while five-year-olds have been particularly dominant, securing four victories in the same period. Lead-up races include the Grade 2 Procyon Stakes (1,800m, Chukyo) in January and the Grade 3 Negishi Stakes (1,400m, Tokyo) earlier this month. The February Stakes will be the 11th race on Tokyo’s Sunday card, with post time set for 15:40 local time. Final declarations and the barrier draw will be confirmed later in the week.

Notable Contenders:

Costa Nova (5yo, Lord Kanaloa): Undefeated in five starts at Tokyo, he impressed with a strong win in the Negishi Stakes (G3) over 1,400m. Assistant trainer Yu Ota noted, “He faced some pressure on the turn but powered home well. He recovered quickly and resumed training as usual.” Trained by Tetsuya Kimura and owned by Katsumi Yoshida, Costa Nova seeks his first Grade 1 victory.

Mikki Fight (4yo, Trainer: Hiroyasu Tanaka): A rising dirt star, he returns after winning the Nagoya Daishoten (2,000m) in December. Assistant trainer Hiroyuki Yamazaki stated, “He’s been training well, and we’ve been monitoring his weight. We’ve always believed he would develop into a top horse.”

Peptide Nile (7yo, Trainer: Hidenori Take): Last year’s shock 38/1 winner is back, aiming for consecutive victories. Take remains confident despite his age: “He finished fifth in the Champions Cup, proving he still has plenty to offer. The one-turn mile suits him.” A win would make him just the third horse to claim back-to-back February Stakes titles and the second seven-year-old winner since Roman Prince in 1988.

Emperor Wakea (5yo, Lord Kanaloa, Trainer: Haruki Sugiyama): A consistent performer on dirt with a strong win in the Tokyo Chunichi Sports Hai Musashino Stakes (G3, 1,600m) last November. Sugiyama commented, “He had to wait for a gap last time but finished strongly. This will be his first Grade 1 test.”

Gaia Force (6yo, Trainer: Haruki Sugiyama): Last year’s runner-up struggled in the Champions Cup but has performed well at Tokyo. Sugiyama noted, “The multiple turns and dirt start last time didn’t suit him. He thrives at this distance and season, which is why we’ve targeted this race.”

Sunday Funday (5yo, Suzuka Causeway, Trainer: Masanari Tanaka): Led all the way to win the Procyon Stakes (G2, 1,800m) at Chukyo last month. “With an inside draw, he dictated the pace well. He’s maintained good condition since,” said Tanaka.

Sunrise Zipangu (4yo, Kizuna, Trainer: Masanari Tanaka): Finished a close second to stablemate Sunday Funday in the Procyon Stakes. Tanaka added, “A slow start last time cost him, but he finished well. The key will be positioning in this shorter race.” Jockey Hideaki Miyuki takes the ride, chasing his first G1 win since 2021.

Dura Erede (5yo, Duramente, Trainer: Manabu Ikezoe): A G1 winner in the 2022 Hopeful Stakes, he finished third in the Procyon Stakes last time out. Ikezoe remains optimistic: “He needs a smooth run, and his Champions Cup performance was strong. We’ve kept his routine steady, hoping for a sharp start.”

With a mix of proven Grade 1 performers, rising dirt specialists, and defending champion Peptide Nile aiming to make history, the February Stakes promises another thrilling edition. The final field and draw will be crucial in shaping the race dynamics, with Sunday’s showdown set to launch the JRA’s elite season in style.