Race favorite Le Vent Se Leve produced a powerful run down the home straight to claim a maiden Grade One victory Sunday in the Champions Cup at Chukyo Racecourse near Nagoya.
Ridden by Mirco Demuro, the three-year-old colt accelerated after the final turn to finish two-and-a-half lengths ahead of eighth-favorite Westerlund. Third-favorite Sunrise Soar was third by a neck.
The Kiyoshi Hagiwara-trained thoroughbred finished the 1,800-meter race in 1 minute, 50.1 seconds.
"He's been getting stronger and his sprinting has also improved," Hagiwara said. "If I were to describe him in one word, it's 'strong.' He still has room to grow mentally and physically."
Le Vent Se Leve has won seven races in eight starts, including five major meetings.
