Tokyo Racecourse: Copana Rickey wins February Stakes at 274-1

Copana Rickey, a 274-1 longshot, scored a shocking win in Sunday’s $1.91 million February Stakes on dirt at Tokyo Racecourse, the first Grade 1 of the year in that country.

Ridden by Hironobu Tanabe, Copana Rickey was near the front throughout the dirt race over a mile. Copana Rickey stalked pacesetter A Shin Top early, took the lead with a quarter-mile remaining, and won by a half-length over Hokko Tarumae. Belshazzar, the 8-5 favorite, finished third in the field of 16, 2 1/4 lengths behind the winner.

Copana Rickey races for owner Sachiaki Kobayashi and is trained by Akira Murayama. A 4-year-old colt by Gold Allure, Copana Rickey has won 5 of 9 starts. The February Stakes was his first victory in a Grade 1. Copana Rickey was ninth in his preceding start, the 2013 Farewell Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse on Dec. 23.

Hokko Tarumae and Belshazzar are considered candidates for the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse on March 29.