December 15, 2025
A deep dive into the ‘value picks’ for the opening day at Kawasaki, based on AI predictions and training data. We’ve identified six high-potential contenders, including standout prospects like Rokuno Rainbow and Fareedoon.
3-Year-Old (Class 2)→Race 2: Engel Lied2-Year-Old (Maiden)→Race 3: Sasakin PoppyYamane Sho (C3)→Race 4: De Re HandsomeScorpion Sho (2-Year-Old)→Race 5: Rokuno RainbowSpider Sho (2-Year-Old)→Race 10: FareedoonVenezia Sho (C2)→
3-Year-Old (Class 2) – 1400m
TOP PICK
Est. Win %20%
Est. Place %55%
The opening 1400m race is a mixed bag of inexperienced horses and new transfers, making direct comparisons difficult. However, the AI gives Crow Song a high place percentage, indicating strong reliability as a contender.
A filly sired by World Ace out of an Acatenango mare. Trainer Hirata is confident in her debut, stating, “Her training has been smooth, she has the talent. If she can get a good trip, she’ll be competitive.” Her final workout on Dec 11th was particularly sharp: on a good Kawasaki track, she was pushed hard to clock 68.7s over 5 furlongs (39.6s final split), finishing 1.0s ahead of her 2-year-old training partner Chrome Blaze. At estimated odds of 2.9, she offers good value and is a key horse to watch.
2-Year-Old (Maiden) – 1500m
TOP PICK
Est. Win %26%
Est. Place %39%
This 1500m maiden race is for Kawasaki debutants only. In a field of evenly matched horses, the key is to back those showing significant improvement from their last run or in training.
Finished a respectable 4th in his last outing. Trainer Akiyama notes, “The result was probably due to the gate position,” but adds a note of caution: “I’m a bit concerned about his high tension lately, so settling will be a challenge.” Despite this, his training has been positive. On Dec 11th, he breezed through a final furlong in 40.3s under a hold, and his physical condition is excellent. As a son of Le Vent Se Leve, he has the power to handle the extra distance and could be in the mix for the win.
Yamane Sho (C3) – 900m
TOP PICK
Est. Win %14%
Est. Place %66%
A 900m sprint. Expect a fast pace, where consistency is more valuable than raw speed. The AI’s 66% place prediction is a strong vote of confidence in this contentious race.
Regarding his last race, trainer Murata commented, “It was disappointing, but his condition hasn’t dropped.” He believes a bounce-back is certain if “he can just get into the flow of the race.” His training has been steady, with a Dec 11th workout earning notes of “gradual improvement” after a strong final push of 38.4s. He’s a class above in this field and is a must-include for exacta/quinella bets.
Scorpion Sho (2-Year-Old) – 1400m
TOP PICK
Est. Win %15%
Est. Place %54%
A 1400m race for 2-year-olds. The biggest factor here will be the “second-start improvement” seen in young, inexperienced horses.
This colt by Danon Smash is heading into his second career start. Trainer Suzuki expects improvement: “His condition has improved after one race. If he can get to the front smoothly, he’ll be tough.” In his Dec 11th workout, he was pushed hard, clocking a final split of 38.9s, showing he’s in good form. With an estimated place rate of 54%, he’s a reliable pick if he can secure an early lead and hold on.
Spider Sho (2-Year-Old) – 1500m
⭐ AI BEST BET
Est. Win %43%
Est. Place %55%
This race features the horse with the highest AI-predicted win rate (43%) of the day. The focus should be on picking the horses to run behind him.
His debut performance was highly praised. Trainer Yamazaki is brimming with confidence: “His maiden race was very impressive. His condition is excellent, and I think he’ll handle the step up to 1500 meters just fine.” While he was slightly behind his partner in his Dec 11th workout (clocking 67.8s over 5F, 38.7s final split), he was given a “no drop in condition” rating. Sired by the powerful Snow Dragon, he has the pedigree for the distance. His expected odds around 1.8 justify his status as a heavy favorite.
Venezia Sho (C2) – 1500m
TOP PICK
Est. Win %29%
Est. Place %63%
A competitive C2 class 1500m race. Despite established runners, a transfer horse has received the highest data rating. In this class, workout performance is often a direct indicator of race results.
Making his first start after transferring from Mombetsu. Trainer Suzuki is optimistic: “He’s in great shape. At this class level, I’m expecting him to be competitive right away.” This confidence is backed by a stellar Dec 11th workout, where he posted a blistering time of 64.6s over 5 furlongs (37.4s final split). The workout was described as “highly ambitious,” indicating he’s ready to fire on all cylinders. As a 3-year-old by Oval Ace, he has a strong chance to win his Southern Kanto debut.