Kentucky-bred Mozu Ascot became the first horse to earn an automatic berth into this year’s Breeder’s Cup Classic (G1) with a rousing victory in the $2 million February S. (G1) Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse.

Trained by Yoshito Yahagi and owned by Capital System Co., Ltd., Mozu Ascot won his second straight dirt track race after 19 straight starts on turf.

“He broke well and we were able to settle right behind Inti as planned,” said winning rider Christophe Lemaire. “His acceleration was extraordinary. Although he is a newcomer in dirt racing, he adapted immediately to the surface and gave his best today.”

Always in the first half of the 16-horse field, Mozu Ascot was tucked along the fence until Lemaire swung him around three horses in mids-stretch. He flew past the frontrunners to win by 2 1/2-lenghts and complete the mile in 1:35.20 over a left-handed course listed as “standard.”

Bred by Summer Wind Farm, Mozu Ascot is by champion Frankel (GB)out the Hennessey mare India, who is also the dam of stakes winner Kareena. India herself won four stakes, topped by the Cotillion S. (G2). Mozu Ascot, who has now earned $3,295,476, was a $275,000 RNA at the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling sale.

Capital Systems announced their intentions of racing Mozu Ascot next in the Doncaster Mile (G1, 1,600m) at Royal Randwick in Australia on April 4.