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Horse racing: Kane Hekili romps to victory at February Stakes+
(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)TOKYO, Feb. 19_(Kyodo) _ Star jockey Yutaka Take steered top favorite Kane Hekili to a comfortable victory in the year's first Grade One race at the February Stakes on Sunday.
Meisho Bowler and Tosho Gear were vying for the lead after the final bend at Tokyo Racecourse before Kane Hekili came storming down the outside on the 1,600-meter dirt track to win in 1 minute, 34.9 seconds.
"A perfect win today," said Take. "He (Kane Hekili) was the dirt champion last year so we couldn't afford to lose today. But I actually feel that he is even stronger than last year."
Last year's Japan Cup Dirt winner Kane Hekili's three-length victory over Seeking the Dia was worth 94 million yen. It also gave Take his 19th straight Grade One race victory.
Second favorite Seeking the Dia edged Utopia in a photo finish for second place but defending champion Meisho Bowler faded and was 15th in the field of 16 and Tosho Gear was last.
The win by Kane Hekili paid out 270 yen on a 100-yen wager.
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