A fact-based guide to the Kikka Tokubetsu (B1B2) at Funabashi Racecourse on Nov 7, 2025. In this tricky 1600m dirt race, course fit and class strength are vital. The performance of Love and Happiness, the only horse with a recent strong run, is the key to unlocking your winning bet.
First, let’s review the basic details of this race. Understanding its class and conditions is the first step in making a prediction.
Notably, the first-place prize of 3.3 million yen is the highest at Funabashi on this day, making it the true main event. The “B1B2” mixed-class format means it’s crucial to assess how well the rising stars from the B2 class can compete against the higher-ranked B1 horses.
As a key prediction point, we’ll analyze the characteristics of the Funabashi Dirt 1600m course and the bloodlines of the 13 entrants.
The Funabashi Dirt 1600m is known as one of the trickiest courses among the four major NAR racetracks. The biggest “prediction points” lie in its starting position and corner design.Short Distance to the First CornerThe race starts from a “pocket” at the far right of the stands. The distance to the first corner is very short, about 200m, putting horses in outer gates at a disadvantage as they are forced to run wide. Therefore, horses with inside gates or those with a quick start that can easily take the lead have a significant tactical advantage.Tight “Spiral Curve”The corners at Funabashi have a gentle bank and are very tight (small radius). The third and fourth corners, in particular, use a “spiral curve,” which tends to bunch up the field. This favors agile horses that can accelerate quickly and maneuver well.
The lineup of sires for the 13 entrants is interesting and reflects the course’s characteristics.Presence of American Dirt BloodlinesHorses like No. 8 Hiroshige Jack (sire: Creator II), No. 13 Haguregumo (sire: New Year’s Day), and No. 3 Imawotokimeku & No. 6 Sorena (sire: Pyro) have bloodlines combining power and speed, which must always be considered in a 1600m dirt race.Japanese Dirt Legend BloodlinesThe sire of No. 12 Ryudoman, Furioso, is a legend who dominated the dirt scene from his home base at Funabashi. His progeny inherit his stamina and toughness.Versatile Turf & Dirt Sires, Old and NewWhether the progeny of proven turf sires like Screen Hero (sire of No. 4 Bounce Light and No. 11 Rose Period), Bricks and Mortar (sire of No. 7 Love and Happiness), and Saxon Warrior (sire of No. 9 Hoshinosuna) can win on this tough dirt course is another major “prediction point” from a bloodline perspective.
Based on the course analysis, here is the list of all 13 entrants with their gate, weight, jockey, and trainer.
| Gate | No. | Horse Name | Sex/Age | Weight (kg) | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Saransk | F6 | 55.0 | Ryus. Sawada | H. Tanaka |
| 2 | 2 | Waganse | H6 | 55.0 | M. Michel | K. Kawashima |
| 3 | 3 | Imawotokimeku | F4 | 53.0 | H. Tokoro | K. Harita |
| 4 | 4 | Bounce Light | H4 | 57.0 | S. Honda | Y. Yamashita |
| 5 | 5 | Takara Liner | H6 | 55.0 | T. Yano | S. Saito |
| 6 | Sorena | G4 | 57.0 | R. Kima | Y. Yano | |
| 6 | 7 | Love and Happiness | F4 | 53.0 | K. Hanzawa | S. Hirayama |
| 8 | Hiroshige Jack | H6 | 57.0 | R. Sugawara | T. Yamanaka | |
| 7 | 9 | Hoshinosuna | G5 | 57.0 | T. Sasagawa | Y. Yoneya |
| 10 | Friend Sweep | G6 | 57.0 | N. Machida | I. Sasaki | |
| 8 | 11 | Rose Period | H6 | 57.0 | K. Okamura | K. Arai |
| 12 | Ryudoman | H8 | 57.0 | Y. Kasano | H. Yauchi | |
| 13 | Haguregumo | H4 | 57.0 | A. Fukuhara | S. Hirayama |
The biggest constraint of this analysis is relying solely on “information from the last two weeks” and “facts without speculation.” After scrutinizing the recent performances of all 13 entrants based on this criterion, only one horse qualifies: No. 7 Love and Happiness.
This “2nd place on Oct 28” is the most compelling “prediction point” for the Kikka Tokubetsu, a factor no other horse possesses.
Love and Happiness is the only horse with “strong performance data from the last two weeks” and benefits from a clear “2.0kg weight reduction.”
Challenging the “recent momentum” of Love and Happiness are the horses with proven “Course & Distance (C/D) records.” We focus on two horses that performed well at this venue in early October.
Based on factual data, the 2025 Kikka Tokubetsu (B1B2) can be seen as a “three-way battle” among horses with distinct strengths.【Momentum & Weight Advantage】No. 7 Love and HappinessThe only horse with a strong run in the last two weeks, combined with a massive 2.0kg weight reduction, could overcome all other concerns.【Record & Class】No. 9 HoshinosunaThe only horse with a victory at “Funabashi 1600m,” but he is tested on whether he can break through the B1 class barrier.【Conditions & Schedule】No. 4 Bounce LightThe only horse with a strong performance in the “same class and conditions,” entering with an ideal four-week rotation, making him the most reliable contender.
In addition, how the “inside gate advantage” characteristic of the Funabashi 1600m course will affect the dynamics between these horses will be the final key to constructing your bet.
This article analyzed the prediction points for the Kikka Tokubetsu (B1B2) based solely on recent, factual data. For our final conclusion and recommended picks, which incorporate last-minute information like ‘training data’ and ‘stable comments,’ please check the link below.