Grape Brandy's biggest victory in February Stakes

Grape Brandy's biggest victory came this afternoon at the 2013 February Stakes in his 16 starts where he beat the 15 rivals for his seventh win. Suguru Hamanaka piloted the winner in 1 minute 35.10 seconds over 1,600 meters at the Tokyo dirt track.

Outside 200 meters from home, Espoir City looked like winning as he was going ahead, but Grape Brandy was a hot chaser, creeping up at every stride, and then he got past Espoir City near the line. Espoir City lost first place by a 3/4-length and finished second, a neck in front of Wonder Acute, who finished a 3/4-length before Sei Crimson in third place.

Grape Brandy, a 5-year-old horse by Manhattan Cafe out of the Judge Angelucci mare Wine and Rose, trains at Ritto by T. Yasuda and races in the color of Shadai Race Horse. His career earnings broght to 296+ million jpn yen. Shadai Farm was the breeder of the black bay horse.