Kentucky-bred Café Pharoah made it back-to-back victories in the $2.2 million February Stakes (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday, Feb. 20 with a sparkling 2 ½-length win in the prestigious race, a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

The 5-year-old son of American Pharoah broke smartly and settled nicely behind the leaders in the long run down the backstretch. He steadily improved his position outside of rivals in the lane before taking command and rolling to an impressive score. His final time for the mile was 1:33.8, equaling the track record on the dirt.

Café Pharoah is owned by Koichi Nishikawa and was bred in Kentucky by the late Paul Pompa. Ridden by Yuichi Fukanaga, Café Pharoah is trained by Noriyuki Hori. With the win, Café Pharoah became just the second horse in history to win the prestigious race twice (and in consecutive years) since Copano Rickey (JPN) in 2014 and 2015.

Produced from the multiple stakes-winning More Than Ready mare Mary’s Follies, Café Pharoah was an OBS March Sale graduate in 2019, selling to Narvick International, agent, for $475,000. Café Pharoah is now a six-time winner in a spectacular racing career. The winner’s share of the February Stakes purse increased his bankroll to more than $2 million.