Held on January 13, 2026, at Ohi Racecourse, the 1800m January Award Race (A2B1) features a field of proven talent. Dive deep into the training, pedigree, and race strategies for favorites Muttsukurufe, Rebakefullcity, and the AI-backed dark horse, Royal Pegasus.
Key Takeaways
🐎
Muttsukurufe’s Peak Form
Showed dominant form in final workouts. His pedigree is perfectly suited for Ohi’s tough track conditions.
⚡️
Rebakefullcity’s Sharp Return
Despite a layoff, he displayed incredible speed against higher-class horses in training. A powerful late charge is expected.
📈
Royal Pegasus: The AI Pick
At 9 years old, this veteran is showing surprising improvement, backed by strong AI analytics and a dirt-specialist lineage.
Contents
2025 January Award Race (A2B1) Overview
The main event at Ohi Racecourse on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, is the “January Award Race (A2B1),” a compelling contest over 1800m. With a field of high-caliber horses, an exciting race is anticipated. Here’s a look at the race details and the key contenders.
Race Details
| Race Name | Date | Racecourse | Distance | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January Award Race | Tues, Jan 13, 2026 | Ohi Racecourse | 1800m Dirt | A2B1 |
In-Depth Analysis of Leading Contenders
We’ll dissect the two horses considered most likely to win the January Award Race, examining their latest form and conditioning.
Muttsukurufe: Peak Condition and Powerful Performance
The main focus of this race is undoubtedly Muttsukurufe (Gelding, 5 y/o, Ohi). With a pedigree of Toby’s Corner (sire) and King Kamehameha (maternal grandsire), he possesses the power to handle Ohi’s tough track and is expected to unleash his full potential in this 1800m race.
- He gained valuable experience against tough opponents in his last start, the Katsushima Oukan (Stakes Race).
- His preparation for this race has been flawless.
- In his final workout on Jan 9, he clocked an impressive 68.4-52.5-37.4 over 5 furlongs on Ohi’s outer course.
- Pushed strongly, he finished 0.5 seconds ahead of his 3-year-old training partner, demonstrating superior class.
- The stable commented on his “good response” and “solid stride,” indicating no fitness concerns.
Rebakefullcity: Excellent Form After a Break
A strong challenger is Rebakefullcity (Gelding, 6 y/o, Ohi). Sired by Majestic Warrior out of a Battle Plan mare, his powerful late kick—a trademark of Majestic Warrior’s progeny—could see him surge past the entire field.
- Despite returning from a layoff, his mid-prep workouts have been outstanding.
- On Jan 5, he trained alongside the higher-class A1 horse, Tiara Focus, keeping pace impressively.
- He trained with the same horse again on Jan 9, showing sharp speed over 3 furlongs in 36.5 seconds under a strong ride.
- Track reports noted “significant improvement from this workout,” suggesting he is race-ready despite the break.
AI’s Dark Horse Pick: Royal Pegasus
In this race, it’s crucial to watch the underdog Royal Pegasus (Colt, 9 y/o, Ohi), who has registered high scores in our comprehensive AI analysis.
Defying Age with Improving Form
Dismissing him due to his age could be a mistake. Our AI analysis shows this horse scoring remarkably high. His recent form is on an upward trend, and he has the potential to showcase his veteran experience.
- In his Jan 9 workout, he posted a solid time of 36.3 seconds over 2 furlongs while running solo.
- Track notes praised his “strong finish when pushed” and gave him an “upward trend ↗” rating.
- His extensive career experience could be a major asset on this big stage.
Dirt-Specialist Pedigree
His lineage—sired by Hatano Vainqueur out of a Fusaichi Pegasus mare—screams dirt specialist. This pedigree should help him perform at his best on the Ohi dirt track. If his experience and current form align, he could be the upset of the race.
Race Strategy and Final Conclusion
The 2025 January Award Race promises to be a fascinating contest with established favorites and potential spoilers. It’s crucial to carefully consider last-minute odds and track conditions before finalizing your bets.
Betting Strategy Tips
- Consider building your bets around the well-prepared Muttsukurufe and Rebakefullcity.
- Including the AI-backed Royal Pegasus in your tickets could be a smart strategy for a high-payout opportunity.
- Trust the latest form and build your ideal betting slip.
See Final Picks & Bets (netkeiba)