The international horse racing calendar is heating up, with Kentucky Derby prep races unfolding in Dubai and Japan alongside action in northern Kentucky. However, the spotlight this weekend shines brightest on Hong Kong, where Ka Ying Rising attempts to etch his name into the history books with a record-breaking 18th consecutive victory.
Japan: February Stakes Showcases Dirt Power
Tokyo Racecourse hosts the Grade 1 February Stakes on Sunday, a key event on the Japanese dirt racing calendar. Despite the allure of richer races in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, a full field is set to compete. The race features the top three finishers from December’s Group 1 Champions Cup: W Heart Bond, Wilson Tesoro, and Ramjet.
W Heart Bond, seeking a breakthrough Grade 1 win, delivered in the Champions Cup, securing her seventh victory in eight starts. Wilson Tesoro and Ramjet, while having experienced international competition in the past, have opted to remain in Japan this year. Wilson Tesoro, however, is plagued by a pattern of near misses, having finished second in the Champions Cup three times and the Tokyo Daishoten twice – a frustrating trend for trainer Noboru Tagaki.
Dubai: Godolphin Dominance on Display
Dubai’s Friday evening program features a pair of turf heats where Godolphin horses are expected to be prominent contenders. In the Group 2 Balanchine for fillies and mares, lightly raced Blue Nazare, trained by Charlie Appleby, will face Dubai Beach and Dubai Treasure, both from Saeed Bin Suroor’s stable. Blue Nazare is the favorite, with William Buick set to ride, and a win could position her for the Group 1 Dubai Turf on World Cup night, though a European or American campaign remains a possibility.
Sheik Mohammed’s stable also holds the favorite in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, a marathon race that serves as a stepping stone to the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup. By the Book is expected to perform well.
Hong Kong: Ka Ying Rising on the Brink of History
All eyes will be on Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday as Ka Ying Rising attempts to surpass Silent Witness’s Hong Kong record of 17 consecutive wins in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (G1). Trainer David Hayes is confident, stating, “The expectation is for him to win. You just want him to and not let everyone down. But he hasn’t, and the way he trialed recently, I don’t think he’s going to.”
The five-year-old gelding has already achieved significant accolades, including being crowned Hong Kong champion griffin (2023-24), Hong Kong champion sprinter (2024-25), Hong Kong champion 4-year-old (2024-25), and Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2024-25). He boasts 18 career wins from 20 starts and has earned HK$129.85 million.
While Ka Ying Rising is heavily favored, Hayes acknowledges potential challengers. Helios Express has consistently performed well against the champion but has yet to secure a victory. Lucky Sweynesse, a former champion sprinter, is looking to regain his form after an injury.
Ka Ying Rising demonstrated his resilience in his last start, finishing second to Romantic Warrior in the Grade I Stewards Cup in January.
Stateside: Road to the Kentucky Derby and Beyond
In the United States, the Road to the Kentucky Derby continues with Saturday’s $175,000 John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park. Street Beast, a versatile colt with wins on both turf and all-weather surfaces, is a potential standout. He won the Leonatus Stakes at Turfway in January and will face competition from Fulleffort and Two Out Hero.
The $100,000 Miracle Wood at Laurel Park on Saturday could point Balboa towards the Preakness Stakes rather than the Derby.
Overseas, the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby continues Sunday with the Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse. Don Erectus and Arcadia Café, who finished second and third in the Cattleya Stakes, are among the contenders, though Don Erectus’s recent form has been inconsistent.
The Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes at Meydan Racecourse on Friday night features a field of 13, with trainer Bhupat Seemar holding a strong hand. Salloom, despite past starting-gate issues, is considered a promising contender.
Oaks Preparations and Sprint Action
Map of the Moon aims to continue her undefeated streak in Friday’s $175,000 Cincinnati Trophy at Turfway Park. The Liam’s Map filly has won all three of her starts, including stakes events at Aqueduct and Turfway.
Law School and Peach Tie are the favorites in Saturday’s $100,000 Wide Country at Laurel Park, potentially setting them up for a run in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Preakness weekend.
The UAE Oaks at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday is another leg of the Churchill Downs “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” series, with Labwah and Tjareed favored to perform well.
Damon’s Mound seeks his third consecutive win in Saturday’s $175,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint, while Greenwich Village, trained by Bob Baffert, will make a turf debut in Sunday’s $100,000 Pasadena at Santa Anita.
Finally, Shining Star secured a decisive victory in the 5 1/2-furlong turf dash, the Mardi Gras Stakes at Fair Grounds, leading all the way to win by 4 1/4 lengths.
