A clear winter sky hung over Tokyo Racecourse on Saturday, February 14, as a full house gathered for a 12-race programme that stretched from 10:05am to 4:25pm. The day built steadily toward the feature, The Daily Hai Queen Cup (G3), worth ¥72,840,000, and when the moment arrived, it delivered both class and emotion in equal measure. By sunset, it was a meeting defined by rising three-year-olds, established performers, and jockeys who shaped the narrative with confidence and precision.
The spotlight belonged to Race 11, The Daily Hai Queen Cup (G3). Dream Core, a three-year-old filly, rose to the occasion with a polished performance under Christophe Lemaire, stopping the clock at 1:32.6. Trained by Kiyoshi Hagiwara for owner Katsumi Yoshida and bred by Northern Racing, she travelled smoothly before quickening decisively in the straight. Zippy Tune chased gamely into second, while His Masterpiece finished third. The roar that followed reflected the weight of a Grade 3 triumph and the promise of a filly with a bright season ahead.
The morning began with Race 1, offering ¥11,280,000, where Tokai Leo, a three-year-old colt, set the tone. Ridden by Daisuke Sasaki and trained by Masatatsu Kikukawa, the Masanori Uchimura-owned and bred runner scored in 1:25.8, finishing ahead of Taisei Gosh and Tsukuba Vanguard.
Race 2, worth ¥15,620,000, saw Rhino, a four-year-old gelding, grind out victory in 2:13.5. Yuga Kawada guided the Tomokazu Takano-trained runner home for owner Kazumi Yoshida. Bred by Northern Farm, Rhino held off Smart Cuore, with Train The Mind in third.
In Race 3 for ¥11,280,000, Realize Tachyon, a three-year-old colt, impressed in 1:38.5. Rachel King partnered the Takahisa Tezuka-trained runner to victory for owner Yosuke Imafuku. Bred by Oiwake Farm, he finished ahead of Inazuma Daimon and Tornado Isle.
Race 4, carrying ¥12,330,000, belonged to North Blue Sky, a three-year-old filly who clocked 1:27.0 under Masami Matsuoka. Trained by Takeshi Horiuchi for owner Masaru Tanaka and bred by Taihoku Stud Co. Ltd., she defeated Vis Cres, with Leukothea third.
Christophe Lemaire secured an earlier success in Race 5, worth ¥11,280,000, aboard Sunday Smash, a three-year-old colt trained by Takayuki Kato. Owned by Silk Racing Co. Ltd. and bred by Northern Farm, the winner recorded 1:22.5, ahead of Yamanin Alexis and I’m Indy.
Rachel King celebrated a double in Race 6 (¥11,280,000) as Darlinghurst, a three-year-old filly, scored in 1:47.4. Trained by Sakae Kunieda for Sunday Racing Co. Ltd. and bred by Northern Racing, she finished in front of Shinyanga and Satur Chair.
Race 7, valued at ¥15,620,000, saw Truscon Garden, a three-year-old filly, win in 1:21.9 under Hironobu Tanabe. Trained by Masahiro Takeuchi for owner Kentaro Yui and bred by Shimokobe Farm, she held off Glorious March, with Grianmhar third.
Daisuke Sasaki returned to prominence in Race 8, worth ¥22,690,000, guiding Adelante, a five-year-old gelding, to victory in 1:37.3. Trained by Masatatsu Kikukawa for owner Makio Okada and bred by Okada Stud, the winner defeated Kyoei Freude and Heliotrope.
In Race 9, the Hakone Tokubetsu (¥30,350,000), Red Bande, a four-year-old colt, stayed on strongly to win in 2:24.7. Sasaki completed a notable treble for the day. Trained by Masahiro Otake for Tokyo Horse Racing Co. Ltd. and bred by Shadai Farm, Red Bande finished ahead of Iklil and Aaron’s Rod.
Race 10, the Ginrei Stakes worth ¥36,070,000, produced a composed effort from Strength, a five-year-old horse. Yutaka Take steered the Ryo Terashima-trained runner to victory in 1:23.4 for North Hills Co. Ltd., who also bred the winner. Meisho Hachiro and Tokushi Kaiser followed.
The finale, Race 12 for ¥15,620,000, closed the day with authority as El Mago, a four-year-old colt, prevailed in 1:33.6. Yuga Kawada secured his second win of the afternoon for trainer Yukihiro Kato. Owned by Yuji Hasegawa and bred by Asrun, El Mago finished ahead of Red Renato and Tropical Tea.
From the first stride of Tokai Leo to the Grade 3 brilliance of Dream Core, Tokyo Race Results 14 February carried momentum, depth and genuine excitement. It was a Saturday that blended promise and performance, leaving racegoers with the sense that the new season had truly come to life.
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