Dubai-bound Kane Hekili impresses in February score

Japan's Dirt Horse of the Year in 2005, KANE HEKILI (Fuji Kiseki), made a

stylish 2006 debut when landing the February S. (Jpn-G1) in near-record time at

Tokyo on Sunday. The mile race on the main track had been billed as the

four-year-old's prep for the March 25 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), and jockey

Yutaka Take was predicting victory.

Under confident handling by Take, Kane Hekili settled into a lovely rhythm

well off the pace, carved out by the dueling pair of Meisho Bowler (Taiki

Shuttle) and Tosho Gear (Ogygian) who sprinted right away from the field. Once

they straightened into the stretch, the pacesetters began to tread water, and

the closers took dead aim on them.

First to throw down the gauntlet was the classy veteran Seeking the Dia

(Storm Cat), but traveling ominously well to his outside was Kane Hekili. For a

moment, it appeared that they would delight the crowd with a reprise of their

stirring stretch duel in the Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1) last November. Whereas Kane

Hekili had to battle within an inch of his life to thrust his nose in front in

their last meeting, this time the maturing four-year-old stormed past his older

rival with barely a glance, crossing the wire three lengths in front. His time

of 1:34 4/5 was just one tick off the track record.

Seeking the Dia had to settle for second again, a head in front of Utopia

(Forty Niner), followed by Blue Concorde (Fusaichi Concorde); Vermilion (El

Condor Pasa); Saqalat (Afleet); Adjudi Mitsuo (Adjudicating), who finished

energetically after missing the break; Tagano Guernica (Brian's Time); Time

Paradox (Brian's Time); Taiki Enigma (Rubiano); Limitless Bid (Sunday Silence);

Sunrise Bacchus (Hennessy); Star King Man (Kingmambo); Nihon Pillow Cert (Star

of Cozzene); Meisho Bowler and Tosho Gear.

Bred by Northern Farm in Japan, Kane Hekili is out of the unraced Life Out

There (Deputy Minister), a full sister to successful sire Silver Deputy. An

extension of Sunday Silence's dominance into the next generation, Kane Hekili is

by Fuji Kiseki, a champion son of the 1989 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S.

(G1) hero.

Trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, who masterminded Cesario's (Jpn) (Special Week)

brilliant success in the American Invitational Oaks (G1) last summer, Kane

Hekili now sports a record of 12-8-1-0. In addition to his Japan Cup Dirt score

in his previous start, the chestnut has garnered the Derby Grand Prix (Jpn-G1),

Japan Dirt Derby (Jpn-G1) and Unicorn S. (Jpn-G3), all on dirt.

Before the race, Take had hoped to win in a manner that would make his mount

the Dubai World Cup favorite. Whether regarded as the favorite or not, Kane

Hekili figures to be a top contender in next month's showpiece at Nad al Sheba.