With last year’s champion, Lemon Pop, leading the Japanese charge on the Saudi Cup (G1), Sunday’s February (G1) at Tokyo had a more open look. Even so, few could have foreseen the magnitude of the upset in store.

Godolphin’s Lemon Pop confirmed himself as a rising dirt star in Sunday’s February (G1) at Tokyo, while Grade 1 turfiste Shirl’s Speight couldn’t lift on the surface and wound up ninth.

Last seen finishing second to champion Modern Games in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) on turf, Shirl’s Speight makes a bold attempt on the Tokyo dirt in Sunday’s February S. (G1), a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

Unplaced in his two previous attempts in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), eight-year-old Switzerland finally reached a new career high in Saturday’s renewal at Meydan.

The Dubai World Cup (G1) may be the showpiece of dirt racing on Saturday at Meydan, but there’s also a Kentucky Derby qualifier, a Group 1 sprint and a Group 2 mile.

For the second straight year, Cafe Pharoah found Sunday’s $2.2 million February S. (G1) a sweet rebound spot after disappointing in the Champions Cup (G1) at Chukyo.