Race Overview & In-Depth Analysis
December 9, 2025
Funabashi Racecourse
A season-ending showdown for three-year-olds at Funabashi Racecourse on Dec 9, 2025.
The competition is expected to be a fierce duel between Seesaw Game and Mountain Laurel, two of the generation’s top contenders.
Funabashi’s 1800m track demands sustained finishing speed, making course suitability crucial.
Keep an eye on Yuyu Ski, who excels on left-handed tracks, as a potential disruptor.
Seesaw Game is the favorite due to a proven record and excellent course suitability.
A detailed look at all nine participating horses.
1
Colt, 3yo
Sire City of Light is a speed-oriented type. The 1800m distance is a significant challenge, making this a tough race. His chances rely on a ground-saving run from the inner gate.
Stable: Urawa – Kokubo | Sire: City of Light
2
Colt, 3yo
Winner of the Kuroshio Hai (S1). Despite a 7th place finish last time, the experience against older horses is invaluable. Expected to be in better form, he’s a top contender.
Stable: Kobayashi – Fukuda M. | Sire: Henny Hughes
3
Colt, 3yo
Excellent course suitability with four wins at Funabashi. Recent tough races in Jpn1 class can be disregarded. With easier competition, he is expected to improve significantly.
Stable: Funabashi – Sato Y. | Sire: Rainbow Line
4
Colt, 3yo
A top-class horse, finishing 3rd in the Tokyo Derby (Jpn1). Confirmed his course suitability last race. With high ability and good form, he is the clear favorite.
Stable: Ohi – Fujita T. | Sire: Daaher
5
Colt, 3yo
Finished 5th in the Totsuka Kinen, but showed a noticeable gap to the top horses. While in good condition, bridging the ability gap with the leaders will be a challenge.
Stable: Urawa – Noguchi T. | Sire: Le Vant Sileve
6
Colt, 3yo
Highly consistent and an Orfevre offspring, so the 1800m distance is a plus. Expected to improve and has the capability to compete for a top position. A strong long-shot candidate.
Stable: Funabashi – Sato Y. | Sire: Orfevre
7
Colt, 3yo
Recent performances have been lackluster, but training reports show significant improvement. The wider Funabashi course is a positive. Holds potential for a surprise performance.
Stable: Urawa – Kokubo | Sire: Audible
8
Colt, 3yo
Maintained a perfect record of [3-3-0-0] since debut. However, returning after an eight-month layoff is a major concern. Stable suggests he is not in peak condition.
Stable: Funabashi – Sato Y. | Sire: Sinister Minister
9
Colt, 3yo
Performs better on left-handed tracks. His finishing power is among the best, and the Funabashi spiral curve is a plus. Possesses the explosive power to overtake all rivals if the race unfolds favorably.
Stable: Ohi – Sakamoto K. | Sire: Best Warrior
If Mountain Laurel leads at a controlled pace, front-runners like him and Seesaw Game will have a distinct advantage. This scenario makes it difficult for horses closing from the back.
If Governability pushes aggressively, the pace will intensify. In this grueling race, stamina horses like Kenshi Rainbow or closers with explosive speed like Yuyu Ski could triumph.
Mountain Laurel
Robust after facing older horses, his forward running ability is a major asset.
Seesaw Game
Solid record, proven course suitability, and a stable jockey partnership make him the horse to beat.
Yuyu Ski
Explosive finishing power and a preference for this track style give him a real chance to surprise.
| Gate | Horse | Jockey | Stable | Training Comment | Stable Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Light Three | Shu Niibara | Urawa – Kokubo | Reasonably fit | Carefully adjusted. |
| 2 | Mountain Laurel | Shige Honda | Kobayashi – Fukuda | Improved after one race | Experience is significant. |
| 3 | Kenshi Rainbow | Yuu Yamanaka | Funabashi – Sato Y | Smooth movement | Utilizes stamina. |
| 4 | Seesaw Game | Tsubasa Sasagawa | Ohi – Fujita T | Maintaining good form | Good condition. Has ability. |
| 5 | Pino Mahana | Nao Machida | Urawa – Noguchi T | Powerful stride | Confident in its condition. |
| 6 | Hiraboku La Fit | Taka Yano | Funabashi – Sato Y | Outside stable training | Distance extension is a plus. |
| 7 | Premium Hand | Makoto Kuwamura | Urawa – Kokubo | Improved with workout | Welcomes wide Funabashi. |
| 8 | Governability | Yuu Kasano | Funabashi – Sato Y | Good condition | May lack mental focus. |
| 9 | Yuyu Ski | Akira Yoshii | Ohi – Sakamoto K | Steadily trained | Funabashi is no problem. |
Final betting recommendations and last-minute predictions will be available on race day. Check back for professional analysis incorporating live track conditions and paddock observations.Get Final Predictions
Summary of Key …