[Updated: 2026-01-23 11:55:15] Revised by AI Assistant
[Last Updated: 2026-01-23 10:36:41]
Analysis by AI
- Introduction to the Yasuda Kinen: The Ultimate Mile Showdown
- Understanding the Yasuda Kinen: Race Overview and Tokyo Turf 1600m Course Analysis
- Yasuda Kinen 2025 Prediction Point 1: Final Furlongs – The Key to Tokyo Mile Victory!
- Yasuda Kinen 2025 Prediction Point 2: Age and Popularity – Uncovering Key Trends and Potential Dark Horses
Introduction to the Yasuda Kinen: The Ultimate Mile Showdown
The Yasuda Kinen stands as the pivotal G1 race to crown the champion miler of the first half of the season. Annually, it draws an elite field of top-class milers from both Japan and abroad, consistently delivering thrilling contests. The race’s rich history and esteemed status are clearly reflected in the exceptional quality of its participants.
In this article, we delve into three critical “prediction points” essential for handicapping the 2025 Yasuda Kinen. Our analysis is based on a thorough examination of race data spanning the past decade (2015-2024). These points are not merely a recital of past results, but rather practical, in-depth insights derived from statistical tendencies and the unique characteristics of the race itself.
Understanding the Yasuda Kinen: Race Overview and Tokyo Turf 1600m Course Analysis
Race Overview
The Yasuda Kinen is a premier G1 race organized by the Japan Racing Association (JRA) and held at Tokyo Racecourse. Open to Thoroughbreds aged three years and older, it is firmly established as the definitive championship for the strongest milers of the spring season. The race is named in honor of Isaza Yasuda, the inaugural director of the Japan Racing Association.
Tokyo Turf 1600m Course Analysis
The Tokyo Racecourse turf 1600m, the illustrious stage for the Yasuda Kinen, is one of Japan’s most celebrated mile courses, renowned for producing countless memorable finishes.
- Course Shape: This is a left-handed, one-turn course, with the starting gate positioned deep on the right side of the backstretch.
- First Straight: A distinguishing feature is the long run of approximately 542m (when using the A course) from the start to the third corner. This extended initial straight often leads to a relatively relaxed pace in the early stages of the race.
- Undulations: The course presents two challenging uphill climbs. There’s an ascent of 1.5m just before the third corner, followed by a demanding 2.1m uphill slope starting roughly 200m from the finish line on the final straight. This final climb is a true test of a horse’s stamina and sustained power.
- Final Straight: The home straight stretches an impressive 525.9m, making it one of the longest in Japan. The fierce battles that unfold over this extensive final stretch are often the race’s most captivating spectacle.
- Required Abilities: Beyond sheer speed, success on this course demands a comprehensive blend of stamina to power through the long straight, an explosive turn of foot (burst of acceleration), and the sustained ability to maintain that speed.
- Course Usage: The Yasuda Kinen typically takes place on the second day of the third Tokyo meeting in early June, with the C course most commonly in use. As the A and B courses would have been utilized previously, it is crucial to consider the potential for the inner part of the track to be somewhat worn or rough.
This course layout ensures that mere speed is insufficient; it challenges a horse’s overall capabilities, including strategic positioning during the race, timing of the final acceleration, and the staying power of their late drive. Specifically, the long straight and the steep final uphill favor horses that can conserve stamina and unleash a decisive finishing kick. The wear on the inner track due to C course usage can further benefit horses starting from wider gates, allowing them a smoother path to extend their run.
Yasuda Kinen 2025 Prediction Point 1: Final Furlongs – The Key to Tokyo Mile Victory!
At Tokyo Racecourse’s turf 1600m, especially in the Yasuda Kinen, one of the most crucial indicators is the “Agari 3 Furlongs” (上がり3ハロン) – the time taken to cover the final 600 meters to the finish line. The sharp burst of speed, or instantaneous acceleration, and sustained power displayed in this segment are paramount in determining victory.
Analysis of past race results clearly demonstrates that horses recording the fastest Agari 3 Furlongs consistently achieve superior outcomes. Data since 2013 reveals that horses with the 1st or 2nd fastest Agari 3 Furlongs have an impressive record of 【9-7-4-8】, indicating an exceptionally high probability of finishing in the money. This statistic underscores how Tokyo Racecourse’s long straight and daunting final uphill provide an ideal platform for horses with superior closing speed to unleash their full potential.
Indeed, race developments often highlight the success of “差し馬” (closers, who settle in midfield or further back before making their move in the straight) and “追い込み馬” (deep closers, who come from even further back). Historical data shows that the average position of horses finishing first or second at the 4th corner is 8.9th, confirming that horses biding their time in the rear often surge forward powerfully in the straight. Conversely, horses leading at the 4th corner have a stark record of 【0-0-0-11】, failing to secure a single victory in over a decade.
The table below presents the Agari 3 Furlongs times for the top three finishers in the past five Yasuda Kinen races (2020-2024), along with their popularity, gate number, and horse number for reference.
Table 1: Yasuda Kinen Past 5 Years – Top 3 Finishers’ Agari 3 Furlongs Data
| Year | Placement | Horse Name | Popularity | Gate No. | Horse No. | Agari 3 Furlongs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1st | Romantic Warrior | 1 | 4 | 7 | 33.4 |
| 2nd | Namur | 4 | 3 | 5 | 32.9 | |
| 3rd | Soul Rush | 2 | 5 | 10 | 33.1 | |
| 2023 | 1st | Songline | 4 | 8 | 18 | 33.1 |
| 2nd | Serifos | 3 | 2 | 4 | 33.6 | |
| 3rd | Schnell Meister | 1 | 7 | 14 | 32.8 | |
| 2022 | 1st | Songline | 4 | 7 | 13 | 32.9 |
| 2nd | Schnell Meister | 2 | 5 | 9 | 32.9 | |
| 3rd | Salios | 8 | 8 | 17 | 33.0 | |
| 2021 | 1st | Danon Kingly | 8 | 7 | 11 | 33.1 |
| 2nd | Gran Alegria | 1 | 4 | 5 | 32.9 | |
| 3rd | Schnell Meister | 4 | 8 | 13 | 33.4 | |
| 2020 | 1st | Gran Alegria | 3 | 7 | 11 | 33.7 |
| 2nd | Almond Eye | 1 | 4 | 5 | 33.9 | |
| 3rd | Indy Champ | 2 | 4 | 6 | 34.1 |
This table clearly illustrates that a significant number of top finishers recorded exceptionally fast Agari 3 Furlongs, often in the low 32 to mid 33-second range. Notably, Schnell Meister (3rd in 2023) and Gran Alegria (2nd in 2021) unleashed astonishing finishing kicks in the 32-second bracket.
Tokyo’s long straight and challenging final uphill demand not just the ability to deliver a quick burst of speed, but also the sustained power to maintain that speed all the way to the wire – in essence, the “quality of the final surge.” Horses possessing not only an explosive turn of foot but also the stamina to sustain it are the prime contenders for Yasuda Kinen glory. The struggles of horses leading at the 4th corner can be attributed to them becoming easy targets, combined with a race dynamic that frequently favors powerful closing drives from top contenders.
Yasuda Kinen 2025 Prediction Point 2: Age and Popularity – Uncovering Key Trends and Potential Dark Horses
In handicapping the Yasuda Kinen, the age and popularity of the participating horses are crucial factors. An analysis of data from the past decade (2014-2023) reveals distinct trends in performance based on age and market popularity, also hinting at the potential for surprising upsets.
Performance by Age
Over the last ten editions of the Yasuda Kinen, 4-year-old horses have delivered the most outstanding results.
Table 2: Yasuda Kinen Past 10 Years (2014-2023) – Performance by Age
| Age | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Unplaced | Total Starters | Win Rate | Place Rate | Show Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year-olds | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 20.0% |
| 4-year-olds | 5 | 3 | 2 | 28 | 38 | 13.2% | 21.1% | 26.3% |
| 5-year-olds | 3 | 4 | 3 | 38 | 48 | 6.3% | 14.6% | 20.8% |
| 6-year-olds | 2 | 2 | 3 | 37 | 44 | 4.5% | 9.1% | 15.9% |
| 7-year-olds and older | 0 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 25 | 0.0% | 4.0% | 8.0% |
As Table 2 illustrates, 4-year-old horses have clinched 5 victories in the past decade, leading in win, place, and show rates. Notably, 4-year-olds with 10 career starts or fewer boast an exceptionally high show rate of 47.4%, highlighting the impact of youthful vigor and ongoing development. 5-year-olds have also secured 3 wins, with their show rate ranking second to 4-year-olds. 6-year-olds contribute 2 wins, meaning all winners have come from the 4 to 6-year-old age brackets. Conversely, 3-year-olds have struggled to win, with Schnell Meister’s 3rd place in 2021 being their only podium finish. Horses aged 7 and older face significant challenges, reflected in their low 8.0% show rate. The strong performance of 4-year-olds can be attributed to them reaching their peak competitive form while still having a relatively fresh career. In the demanding Yasuda Kinen, which requires both ample stamina and explosive acceleration, it is a natural tendency for physically and mentally mature 4-year-olds to be the dominant force.
Performance by Popularity
The Yasuda Kinen is a race known for occasionally delivering unpredictable results. While the reliability of the top favorite is generally high, they are by no means an absolute certainty.
Table 3: Yasuda Kinen Past 10 Years (2015-2024) – Performance by Popularity
| Popularity | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Unplaced | Total Starters | Win Rate | Place Rate | Show Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Favorite | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 20.0% | 50.0% | 80.0% |
| 2nd Favorite | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 0.0% | 10.0% | 30.0% |
| 3rd Favorite | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 10.0% | 30.0% | 30.0% |
| 4th Favorite | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 40.0% | 50.0% | 60.0% |
| 5th Favorite | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 0.0% | 10.0% | 10.0% |
| 6th Favorite | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 7th-9th Favorite | 3 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 30 | 10.0% | 16.7% | 26.7% |
| 10th Favorite and lower | 0 | 0 | 1 | Many | Many | 0.0% | 0.0% | Low |
The 1st favorite horse in the past 10 years (2015-2024) has achieved 2 wins, 3 second-place finishes, and 3 third-place finishes, boasting an impressive show rate of 80.0%. This indicates they are highly reliable as a central wager. However, there are instances where horses heavily favored at single-digit odds have been defeated, finishing second or third, highlighting that victory is not always guaranteed. A notable trend is the poor performance of 2nd favorite horses, who have failed to win in the past decade and have a low show rate of 30.0%. This suggests the inherent difficulty of the Yasuda Kinen, where actual ability and market popularity do not always perfectly align. On the other hand, 4th favorite horses have secured the most wins with 4 victories, offering excellent value. Furthermore, horses ranked between 7th and 9th favorites have collectively claimed 3 wins, demonstrating that upsets are a frequent occurrence. Indeed, reviewing the trifecta payouts of the past 10 years often reveals high dividends, underscoring the importance of considering longshot contenders.


