Le Vent Se Leve triumphs in Japan's Champions Cup

Le Vent Se Leve won the richest race of his career in Sunday’s Grade 1, $1.9 million Champions Cup at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan, beating a field that included the American shipper Pavel.

Pavel, the winner of the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs in June, finished last in a field of 15. A 26-1 outsider, Pavel stalked the pace before fading in the stretch.

Jockey Mario Gutierrez told Japan Racing Association publicists that Pavel was uncomfortable with the 45-minute gap between saddling and the start of the race.

“It’s different here,” Gutierrez said. “The wait is so long. The horse lost his motivation.”

Pavel, who finished 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3, was the only foreign-based runner in the Champions Cup, which was run at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.

Le Vent Se Leve, the 9-10 favorite, stalked the pace before taking the lead with a little more than a quarter-mile remaining. Ridden by Mirco Demuro, La Vent Se Leve finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of 31-1 Westerlund.

“I let him cruise at his own pace and he responded with a fantastic turn of speed when I asked him,” Demuro said. “He is a colt with great potential and a bright future ahead.”

Sunrise Soar, the 7-1 third choice, finished third.

A 3-year-old, Le Vent Se Leve has won 7 of 8 starts, including the Japan Dirt Derby at 1 1/4 miles at Ohi Racecourse in July. By Symboli Kris S, Le Vent Se Leve won the Mile Championship Nambu Hai on dirt at Morioka Racecourse on Oct. 8.

Le Vent Se Leve is owned by G1 Racing Co., Ltd. and trained by Kiyoshi Hagiwara.