[Updated: 2026-01-23 20:24:10] Revised by AI Assistant
Analysis by AI
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The 17th Katsushima Oukan (SII) Preview: Ooi Racecourse, Wednesday, December 3, 2025 (Dirt 1800m)
Race Overview & Course Characteristics
Race Overview:
- Race Name: The 17th Katsushima Oukan (SII)
- Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
- Racecourse: Ooi Racecourse
- Distance: Dirt 1800m (Outer Course)
- Race Format: Weight-for-Age (Separate Weights)
- Significance: A crucial race that often sets the stage for the year-end Tokyo Daishoten (GI) and the following year’s dirt racing season.
Strategic Characteristics of Ooi Dirt 1800m:
- Starting in front of the grandstand, horses have approximately 300m to the first corner.
- Gate position has minimal advantage, emphasizing the true ability of each horse.
- The wide track and gentle curves demand precise jockey tactics and excellent horse manageability.
- Positioning battles tend to intensify from the backstretch to the third corner, making it a challenging course that requires both stamina and burst speed.
Past Trends: Keys to Victory:
- Physicality Matters: Large horses weighing over 500kg have a high success rate.
- Versatile Running Styles: With a tendency for a fast pace, horses capable of making a sustained run from mid-pack (“chasers” or “prominent closers”) consistently perform well.
- Repeat Performers: Horses with previous strong finishes in this race or over the same distance warrant attention, regardless of recent form.
In-Depth Analysis and Evaluation of Key Contenders
Mick Fire (AI Rating: 1st, 210 points)
- Track Record: Undefeated Sankan (Triple Crown) winner in Southern Kanto in 2023. However, he has struggled to find victory against top-tier older horses.
- Current Form: Eager for a comeback in a graded race against fellow local horses. Wore blinkers during trackwork to enhance mental focus.
- Trackwork: Pushed hard in his final workout, indicating he’s physically ready to compete. On November 29th at Ooi (Outer Course), he clocked 64.5 seconds for 5 furlongs and 37.8 seconds for 3 furlongs.
- Key Concern: The success of the blinker application in improving his mental state will be crucial.
Light Warrior (AI Rating: 4th, 141 points)
- Track Record: Winner of the 2024 Kawasaki Kinen (JpnI). A seasoned veteran hitting peak form at 8 years old. Boasts an impressive record at Ooi 1800m, including a win in the 2022 Katsushima Oukan and a 2nd place last year.
- Current Form: Despite a challenging run in the previous JBC Classic, his ability remains undiminished.
- Trackwork: Adjusted at an outside training facility between races. Recorded back-to-back last furlong times of 12.1 seconds on the uphill track. Trainer Katsuyoshi Uchida commented, “I can confidently say he’s perfectly tuned.” Workouts on November 22nd and 29th at the farm uphill track: 3 furlongs in 37.9s/24.5s/12.1s (strong finish), and 37.8s/24.4s/12.1s (strong finish).
- Key Concern: Carries a significant 59kg handicap.
Datenoshogun (AI Rating: 9th, 81 points)
- Track Record: An exceptional talent dubbed a “monster” after consecutive wins early in his career. Dominantly won his comeback race by 5 lengths after a long layoff.
- Current Form: His high potential remains evident.
- Trackwork: Recorded a blistering 35.8 seconds for 3 furlongs on November 23rd, an exceptionally fast time among the contenders.
- Evaluation Discrepancy: His AI prediction score is low (likely due to his long layoff and lack of graded stakes experience). However, trainer Jumpei Morishita highly rates him, stating, “He can perform to a certain extent right from the start.” This discrepancy could offer significant value in betting.
Kingston Boy (AI Rating: 2nd, 181 points)
- Track Record: Last year’s Katsushima Oukan champion and a highly adept runner over Ooi 1800m.
- Current Form: His defeat in the previous Mile Grand Prix was likely due to insufficient distance. A return to his preferred conditions makes him a strong candidate for improvement.
- Trackwork: On November 29th at the farm uphill track, he clocked 37.8 seconds for 3 furlongs and 12.1 seconds for the final furlong (strong finish), showing comparable acceleration to Light Warrior.
- Evaluation: His high AI rating is a testament to his strong course suitability. Trainer Watanabe commented, “After a warm-up race, the 1800m is his best distance. We expect a significant improvement.”
Nansei White (AI Rating: 5th, 129 points)
- Track Record: A true course specialist, with 6 of his 8 career wins coming over 1800m. He boasts a perfect 100% top-two finish rate (6-3-0-0) at this specific distance.
- Current Form: Known for his consistent performance, always adapting and running competitively against his rivals.
- Trackwork: On November 29th at Ooi (Outer Course), he clocked an excellent 37.2 seconds for 3 furlongs effortlessly (without pushing).
- Evaluation: Trainer Hideyo Yoneda expressed confidence, stating, “This distance at his home track is his absolute best.” He offers high reliability for finishing in the money.
Bahardar (AI Rating: 3rd, 167 points)
- Track Record: A dark horse candidate with notable past achievements in JRA, including an Open Class special victory.
- Trackwork: On November 23rd at Ooi (Outer Course), he recorded 36.4 seconds for 3 furlongs, showing better movement than in his previous race.
Data Analysis: Unveiling the Winning Edge
Trackwork Time Comparison Matrix:
S-Grade Evaluation:
Datenoshogun (Nov 23, Ooi Outer 3F 35.8s) – Exceptional speed, a top contender if the race comes down to a burst of acceleration.
A+-Grade Evaluation:
Light Warrior (Nov 29, Farm Uphill 3F 37.8s, 1F 12.1s) – Outstanding sharpness on the uphill track, declared “perfectly tuned.”
A-Grade Evaluation:
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- Kingston Boy (Nov 29, Farm Uphill 3F 37.8s, 1F 12.1s) – Showed comparable acceleration to Light Warrior, poised for a transformation in his preferred conditions.
- Nansei White (Nov 29, Ooi Outer 3F 37.2s) – Clocked an excellent time effortlessly, confirming his high distance suitability.
B+-Grade Evaluation:
- Mick Fire (Nov 29, Ooi Outer 3F 37.8s) – Standard time but with sufficient effort, signaling signs of recovery.
- Bahardar (Nov 23, Ooi Outer 3F 36.4s) – Showing improved movement compared to his last outing.
AI Score Ranking:
1st Place:
Mick Fire
210 points – Absolute confidence in his proven track record and latent potential.
2nd Place:
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Kingston Boy
181 points – Highly rated for his strong course suitability.
3rd Place:
Bahardar
167 points – A potential dark horse, factoring in his impressive JRA achievements.
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4th Place:
Light Warrior
141 points – The significant 59kg handicap might be suppressing his score.
5th Place:
Nansei White
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129 points – Evaluated as a consistent and reliable contender.
9th Place:
Datenoshogun
81 points – Highly likely to be underestimated due to a perceived lack of historical data from his layoff.
Race Scenario Simulation & Key Prediction Points
Pace Battle: The Key to the Race’s Flow:
- Light Warrior is highly likely to dictate the early pace.
- Ranyo O and others are expected to join the early speed contest, anticipating a lively pace battle.
- Should subsequent horses pressure Light Warrior (carrying 59kg) early, a moderate to fast pace is highly probable.
Katsushima Oukan Prediction: Key Takeaways:
- Impact of Weight Difference: The 2kg difference between Light Warrior (59kg) and Mick Fire/Datenoshogun (57kg) will be a critical factor.
- The Datenoshogun Conundrum: The significant disparity between his AI rating (9th) and his leading trackwork time is noteworthy. Trusting the trainer’s comments and his impressive trackwork could be the key to a high-paying wager.
- Resurgence of Course Specialists: A comeback from course specialists like Kingston Boy and Nansei White is highly anticipated. Kingston Boy, in particular, stands out as a reliable anchor candidate for your bets.
- Track Conditions: A dry winter dirt track would favor power-type horses, while a wet track leading to faster times would benefit speed-oriented types such as Datenoshogun.
Conclusion: Recommended Selections from Data Analysis
This year’s Katsushima Oukan promises a thrilling showdown, pitting the “proven strength of seasoned veterans” against the “blazing speed of rising stars.” The central questions are: Can Light Warrior maintain his lead to the finish? Will Mick Fire reclaim his champion’s pride? Or will Datenoshogun signal a generational shift? The final selections will be determined by incorporating the latest insights and race-day atmosphere.
© 2025 AI Horse Racing Predictions. All rights reserved.

