[Updated: 2026-01-23 15:00:02] Revised by AI Assistant
October 29, 2025
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Analysis by AI
Get ready for an electrifying showdown! On October 29, 2025, the Saitama Shimbun Eikan Sho (SIII) lights up Urawa Racecourse. This in-depth preview dives into the thrilling 2000m challenge where the reigning 3-year-old champion, Mountain Laurel, confronts the seasoned prowess of older horses. They face formidable rivals including Urawa course specialists Ranryo-O and Your History, along with JRA transferee Suleiman. This diverse field of 10 talented contenders promises a captivating race. We’ll meticulously analyze the tricky course dynamics, strategic race development, each runner’s final workout, and their suitability, even pinpointing potential dark horses to watch!
Key Takeaways from This Preview
- Undefeated 3-year-old champion Mountain Laurel, on a five-race winning streak, faces older horses and the challenging Urawa course for the first time.
- Local Urawa hero Ranryo-O is in peak condition, aiming to claim this prestigious title on home turf.
- The Urawa 2000m course is notoriously tricky, favoring early speed and efficient inside positioning.
- Formidable dark horses abound, including the JRA-proven Suleiman and Your History, who boasts two consecutive strong performances in this very race.
- The anticipated pace battle between Hero Call and Ranryo-O will be crucial in determining the overall race dynamics.
Course Analysis: Urawa 2000m – A Unique and Challenging Stage
The Urawa Racecourse’s 2000m track is renowned as one of the most challenging in the South Kanto region. The short run to the first turn and the tight radius of the corners make late closing moves exceptionally difficult. With a short 200m final straight, the ultimate key to victory lies in “positioning.”
Success hinges on securing a favorable position with minimal loss and making a smooth move at the critical stage. Consequently, horses with strong early speed and those adept at navigating from inside gates tend to have a distinct advantage.
This year, the presence of multiple powerful front-runners like Hero Call and Ranryo-O suggests a fierce battle for the lead from the outset. If they refuse to yield, setting a high pace, the front-runners might falter in the closing stages, opening the door for stamina-rich closers. Conversely, if one easily secures the lead and dictates a slow pace, the race could become a dominant display for the horses on the speed.
Saitama Shimbun Eikan Sho 2025: Final Workouts, Trainer Comments, & Pedigree Analysis for All 10 Runners
With a truly competitive field, this year’s Saitama Shimbun Eikan Sho promises to be a thrilling contest. Here, we provide an exhaustive analysis of all 10 entrants, scrutinizing their final workout performances, insights from their connections, and their pedigree and course suitability from every angle.
Gate 1, Post 1: Suleiman
Overall Assessment: A former JRA open-class runner, Suleiman seeks to reignite his career in South Kanto. This seasoned contender, with graded stakes placings in central racing, makes his debut in the regional circuit. Despite recent lack of form, his class is undeniable among this field. If he adapts to the South Kanto track and pace, a debut graded stakes win is entirely within reach.
Final Workout Evaluation: Prepared meticulously at an external training facility, Suleiman showcased a sharp 12.1-second final furlong on the uphill track, indicating he’s ready despite a layoff.
Trainer’s Comment: Trainer Terunobu Fujita expresses confidence in his potential, stating, “He’s progressed smoothly. I believe he’s a talented horse, and I’m eager to see how he performs.”
Pedigree & Course Aptitude: Sired by King Kamehameha, Suleiman has proven his Urawa course suitability with a 2nd place finish in last year’s Teletama Hai Oval Sprint. The partnership with jockey Norihiro Yokoyama is also a significant asset.
Gate 2, Post 2: Alula
Overall Assessment: Consistency is Alula’s greatest strength, making her graded stakes debut. She boasts exceptional stability, having missed the board only once in her career. While the competition escalates significantly, she has previously defeated graded stakes winners, demonstrating formidable underlying potential.
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Final Workout Evaluation: After a refreshing break, Alula delivered a satisfactory workout, suggesting she’s in a condition to perform her best.
Trainer’s Comment: Trainer Takeshi Minowa remarked, “She handles returns from layoffs well. I’m looking forward to seeing how she competes against such strong opponents.”
Pedigree & Course Aptitude: Sired by Belshazzar, Alula thrives at Urawa, with 4 wins and 5 placings from 14 starts. Her light impost of 54kg will be a significant advantage as she aims to contend.
Gate 3, Post 3: Ranryo-O
Overall Assessment: In peak form, Ranryo-O aims for a long-awaited title on his home Urawa track. This powerhouse, winner of the 2022 Ohi Kinen (SI), proved his Urawa course suitability with a 2nd place finish in this very race two years ago. His impressive victory two starts back signals a complete return to his best.
Final Workout Evaluation: His workout was nothing short of breathtaking. The description “full of spirit” accurately reflects his excellent physical and mental state.
Trainer’s Comment: Trainer Satoshi Kokubo exudes immense confidence, stating, “His demeanor is remarkably good. If he can maintain his own rhythm and have a smooth race, he’s poised for a strong comeback.”
Pedigree & Course Aptitude: Sired by Pyro, Ranryo-O boasts an exceptional Urawa record of 4 wins and 2 placings from 9 starts. If he can lead at his own pace, he’s unlikely to falter.
Gate 4, Post 4: Two Shadow
Overall Assessment: The biggest challenge for Two Shadow is the distance. This swift mare, successful in sprint and mile races, tackles 2000m for the first time in her career. While she performs well at Urawa, her victories are concentrated at 1600m or shorter, making her stamina for the extended distance an unknown factor.
Final Workout Evaluation: Her workout times were considered somewhat underwhelming. Although her condition should have improved since her last race, she doesn’t appear to be at peak fitness.
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Trainer’s Comment: Trainer Koji Ozawa is cautiously optimistic, saying, “Her age might make her break slower, which could make the race easier.” However, he also expressed concern, adding, “But then there’s the stamina question.”
Pedigree & Course Aptitude: With sire Danon Legend and dam’s sire South Vigorous, she possesses a typical sprinter pedigree. From a bloodline perspective, overcoming the distance challenge will likely prove difficult.
Gate 5, Post 5: Seika Meteopolis
Overall Assessment: This five-time graded stakes winner aims for a dramatic turnaround in his second start back from a layoff. His previous race after a long break resulted in a 9th place finish, but the improvement from that outing is a crucial factor. If he can unleash his true capabilities, he possesses the talent to contend for the win.
Final Workout Evaluation: His workout showed a remarkable transformation. Positive assessments such as “full of spirit after a run” and “full of energy” strongly suggest substantial improvement.
Trainer’s Comment: Trainer Kazuo Watanabe feels confident about his recovery, stating, “He’s completely transformed after his last race. He excels in colder weather, and I’m hopeful for a significant change in performance.”
Pedigree & Course Aptitude: Possesses a stamina-rich pedigree. While there’s a jockey change from his primary rider, his five graded stakes wins and the expected improvement from his second start back are highly appealing.
Gate 6, Post 6: Hero Call
Overall Assessment: Disregard his JRA results; Hero Call can transform if he races in his preferred style. A five-time graded stakes winner, his last three starts against strong JRA competition didn’t yield results, but his ability is outstanding among South Kanto runners.
Final Workout Evaluation: While still having room for improvement after a layoff, his final workout was promising, outworking his sparring partner. His condition is expected to further improve by race day.
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Trainer’s Comment: Trainer Satoshi Kokubo suggested the race development is key, stating, “If he gets into his rhythm, this stage is easily manageable. It all depends on how he handles his fellow front-runners.”
Pedigree & Course Aptitude: Sired by Hokko Tarumae, he boasts top-tier stamina and early speed. The jockey change to Takayuki Yano signifies the stable’s serious intent.
Gate 7, Post 7: Joe Espoir
Overall Assessment: A perfect record of placings at Urawa. With 6 wins and 6 seconds from 12 starts, he is an astonishing course specialist. However, his 8th place finish in his previous graded stakes attempt raises concerns about his finishing kick against top-tier competition.
Final Workout Evaluation: After a refreshing break, Joe Espoir showed a sharp turn of foot in his final workout, finishing strongly. He is well-prepared and capable of performing at his best.
Trainer’s Comment: Trainer Satoshi Kokubo expressed his hopes, stating, “The refreshing break has had a full effect. We’re aiming for a good result in his second graded stakes challenge.”
Pedigree & Course Aptitude: His greatest asset is his exceptional consistency at Urawa. However, his current assessment suggests a lack of finishing power against elite competition.
Gate 8, Post 8: Tsukai No Kizuna
Overall Assessment: A late bloomer who has truly excelled over longer distances. Tsukai No Kizuna found his stride over 2000m or longer, culminating in a dominant victory in his last race. Given his current excellent form, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him rocket to the top in his first graded stakes attempt.
Final Workout Evaluation: In his final workout, he breezed effortlessly, maintaining pace with his partner. The note “maintains good spirits” indicates his condition is consistently at a high level.
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Trainer’s Comment: Trainer Masaki Iwasaki showed confidence, stating, “The competition steps up, but the steadily run long distances suit him. We approach this race with great anticipation.”
Pedigree & Course Aptitude: Sired by Kizuna, he’s a type that thrives as the distance increases. With a light handicap of 54kg, he is expected to put up a strong fight, potentially on par with the favorites.
Gate 8, Post 9: Your History
Overall Assessment: A true course specialist made for this race. With a 3rd place finish two years ago and a 2nd place last year, Your History boasts the best record in the Saitama Shimbun Eikan Sho among all entrants. His suitability for the Urawa 2000m stage is beyond doubt.
Final Workout Evaluation: Despite being off a layoff, he was meticulously prepared with this race as his target. Evaluated as “satisfactorily finished,” he is in a condition to perform.
Trainer’s Comment: Trainer Takayuki Yamashita emphasized his clear objective, stating, “His entry is as planned. He’s in good condition, and this distance at Urawa suits him perfectly.”
Pedigree & Course Aptitude: Sired by Rulership. While his recent form has been modest, his evaluation transforms dramatically when the stage shifts to Urawa 2000m. Given his past performances, underestimating him would be a grave mistake.
Gate 8, Post 10: Mountain Laurel
Overall Assessment: The 3-year-old champion on a five-race winning streak; can he conquer the wall of older horses? Winner of the Kuroshio Hai (SII) in his previous start, he is the undisputed champion of his generation. While he faces multiple challenges—first time at Urawa, first time left-handed, and first time against older horses—his momentum and talent are immense enough to overcome them.
Final Workout Evaluation: His final workout was accomplished effortlessly, with “plenty in reserve.” Refreshed by a short break, there are no concerns about his current condition.
Trainer’s Comment: Trainer Masahiro Fukuda stated, “He’s still only about 60% of his full growth potential,” yet expressed keen anticipation: “I’m looking forward to seeing how he competes against older horses.”
Pedigree & Course Aptitude: Sired by Henny Hughes. His early speed and ability to secure a good position could be advantageous on the tight Urawa track. The 54kg impost, 2-3kg lighter than his older rivals, is his most significant weapon.
Data Analysis: Predicted Odds and Horses to Watch
Predicted odds, reflecting how the market assesses each horse, serve as a crucial indicator for anticipating the race outcome. Here, we analyze the current power dynamics based on the latest win odds.
Initial Market Assessment: A Highly Competitive Race with No Clear Favorite
Looking at the announced predicted odds, the 3-year-old champion Mountain Laurel is favored as the 1st choice, but at 3.5x, he’s far from an absolute favorite. A tight cluster follows, with Hero Call, Tsukai No Kizuna, Suleiman, and Ranryo-O making up the top five. This indicates a wide-open race where every horse has both potential and inherent risks.
| Popularity | Post | Horse Name | Predicted Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Mountain Laurel | 3.5 |
| 2 | 6 | Hero Call | 4.0 |
| 3 | 8 | Tsukai No Kizuna | 6.2 |
| 4 | 1 | Suleiman | 6.3 |
| 5 | 3 | Ranryo-O | 7.5 |
| 6 | 4 | Two Shadow | 8.6 |
| 7 | 7 | Joe Espoir | 22.6 |
| 8 | 9 | Your History | 25.9 |
| 9 | 2 | Alula | 27.6 |
| 10 | 5 | Seika Meteopolis | 42.6 |
Evaluation of Major Contenders
- Mountain Laurel (1st Favorite): His five-race winning streak and 54kg impost are highly rated, but trainer comments like “still 60% of full growth” and the new challenges (first time at Urawa, left-handed, against older horses) present risks.
- Veteran Contenders (Hero Call, Ranryo-O): Hero Call’s strong record against South Kanto horses earns him 2nd favoritism. Ranryo-O, despite exceptional course suitability and being in peak condition, remains at 5th favorite, offering potentially lucrative odds.
- Intriguing Outsiders:
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