Henicagaito, ridden by jockey Wataru Yokoyama, proved his mettle during the Tokyo 4R race on February 1, 2025, clinching victory decisively against strong competition. The race, held at the Tokyo Racecourse, was part of the 3-year-old Class 1 series, covering 1600 meters on dirt.
Crossing the finish line with a remarkable time of 1:37.2, Henicagaito, the favorite with odds of 1.7, showcased his potential, leading by two lengths over the second-placed horse, Tagano Babylon, who held the position with confidence throughout the race. Following closely behind, Sano no Wonder secured third place, trailing by three and half lengths.
This victory marked Henicagaito’s second win out of three races, solidifying his reputation as one of the promising contenders of the season. The three-year-old is trained by Seiko Kato and hails from notable lineage—the offspring of Heny Hughes and his dam, Sumire, whose sire is Daiwa Major.
Reflecting on the race, Yokoyama expressed, “I thought this was a race I couldn’t lose. I’m relieved to have won. I’ve challenged several times, but I've had some youngness and issues, like not changing leads or jumping at the finish line. I see there are still areas to improve, but if I keep growing, I'll be exciting for the future.” His candid remarks reveal both the pressure of expectation and the joy of overcoming the challenges faced on the track.
Notably, Tagano Babylon, ridden by K. Miura, displayed resilience and strategy, finishing seconds behind the winner. Miura explained, “I think the gate situation was unavoidable, so I chose to switch it up today and let him run at his own pace. He showed much more speed than I expected. He’s still growing, and I believe he can show more ability in the future.” His insights highlight the strategic decisions made during the race, which allowed Tagano Babylon to perform beyond initial impressions.
Sano no Wonder’s jockey, Akiyoshi Sugawara, shared his observations post-race as well. “Although he moves slowly, the distance was manageable, and he used his strength well as usual at the end. I believe 1600m is suitable for him,” Sugawara noted, speaking to the horse’s ability and comfort level with the distance.
With Henicagaito’s recent performances, horse racing enthusiasts are eager to see how he will develop under the guidance of his trainer and the expertise of his jockey. Races to come will surely be watched closely as this young horse strides toward potential greatness.
All eyes will be on Henicagaito as he continues his racing career, with hopes of competing at higher levels and claiming more victories. This race has certainly marked him as one to watch.