January 9, 2026 / Updated January 9, 2026
As we approach the 3-year-old maiden races on Saturday, January 10, 2026, we bring you the latest insights and betting angles. A new crop of talented prospects from the 2023 foal crop are making their debuts. We’ll break down the top contenders at Nakayama and Kyoto, analyzing their training, pedigree, and AI-powered predictions.
Key Takeaways
Nakayama Races
- 4R Dirt 1800m: Parfait and Earth Axis are top contenders. Ganymede is the AI-recommended dark horse.
- 5R Turf 2000m: Orion Blade, Intanon, and Run the World are the ones to watch in a high-class field.
Kyoto & AI Insights
- 3R Dirt 1400m: Holy Step is a strong favorite after impressive training. Wide Gunsa is a high-value sleeper pick.
- AI Predictions: Our analysis integrates AI win probability and expected value to identify prime betting opportunities.
Nakayama 4R: 3-Year-Old Maiden (Dirt 1800m)
A true test of power and stamina. Keep an eye on the well-trained horses and our AI picks.
Featured: Parfait & Earth Axis
Parfait (Filly, Miya Stables)
Sire: Le Vent Se Leve | Dam’s Sire: Empire Maker
With a classic dirt pedigree, Parfait shows impressive movement in training and looks ready to fire first-time out. The AI gives her a strong 25.5% win probability, making her a central figure in this race.
Earth Axis (Filly, Kurita Stables)
Sire: Drefong | Dam’s Sire: Kurofune
This Drefong filly combines speed and power. The cross with Kurofune is known for producing versatile winners. The AI projects a race-high 31.0% win probability, and she’s expected to justify her 3.4 projected odds.
AI Dark Horse: Ganymede
Ganymede (Filly, Kimura Stables)
Sire: Drefong | Dam’s Sire: King Kamehameha
While Parfait and Earth Axis will attract most of the attention, Ganymede scores top marks in our AI’s “Expected Value” metric. Her Drefong x King Kamehameha bloodline offers plenty of underlying strength, making her an excellent value bet.
Nakayama 5R: 3-Year-Old Maiden (Turf 2000m)
A key prep for the classics. This race is stacked with high-potential runners.
Orion Blade (Colt, Yahagi Stables)
Sire: Silver State | Dam’s Sire: Zoffany
Showing improvement with every workout, he clocked an impressive 52.2s (last furlong in 12.6s) at Ritto training track on Jan 7, beating his workmate. His readiness and speed are top-class. The AI rates him highly for both win probability and value.
Intanon (Colt, Hori Stables)
Sire: Kitasan Black | Dam’s Sire: Taiki Shuttle
Demonstrated exceptional ability in a late December workout at Miho, outperforming older horses (65.5s for 5 furlongs, last in 11.6s). He combines the powerful stride of a Kitasan Black colt with the speed of Taiki Shuttle. Unquestionable talent.
Run the World (Filly, Miya Stables)
Sire: Contrail | Dam’s Sire: Custom for Carlos
A highly anticipated debutante from the first crop of Triple Crown winner Contrail. Her pedigree is outstanding, and the meticulous preparation from Miya Stables means she should be ready to perform at her best.
Kyoto 3R: 3-Year-Old Maiden (Dirt 1400m)
Speed is paramount in this dirt sprint. One horse posted a blistering time in training.
Featured: Holy Step
Holy Step (Filly, Saito Stables)
Sire: Danon Kingly | Dam’s Sire: Cape Cross
She clocked a blazing final furlong of 11.8s at Ritto on Jan 7—the fastest of the day. This is an extraordinary turn of foot for a debutante, a time that would be competitive against experienced horses. If she handles the race pace, she has the potential to win decisively.
AI Dark Horse: Wide Gunsa
Wide Gunsa (Colt, Shono Stables)
Sire: New Year’s Day | Dam’s Sire: Novellist
Our AI flagged this colt with an “Expected Value of 100,” making him a special mention. He’s shown tenacity in training against older horses, suggesting he’s a true competitor. At projected odds around 8.4, he offers maximum betting appeal.
AI Prediction Summary
| Race | Horse | Sex/Age | Stables | Sire | Dam’s Sire | AI Prediction (Win%/Value) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakayama 4R Dirt 1800m | Parfait | F3 | Miya | Le Vent Se Leve | Empire Maker | Win 25.5% | Elite dirt pedigree, ready to go |
| Nakayama 4R Dirt 1800m | Earth Axis | F3 | Kurita | Drefong | Kurofune | Win 31.0% (Top) | Speed & power, expected favorite |
| Nakayama 4R Dirt 1800m | Ganymede | F3 | Kimura | Drefong | King Kamehameha | Top-class Value | Dark horse with great odds |
| Nakayama 5R Turf 2000m | Orion Blade | C3 | Yahagi | Silver State | Zoffany | High Win% & Value | Excellent prep, top speed |
| Nakayama 5R Turf 2000m | Intanon | C3 | Hori | Kitasan Black | Taiki Shuttle | – | Powerful stride, high potential |
| Nakayama 5R Turf 2000m | Run the World | F3 | Miya | Contrail | Custom for Carlos | – | Contrail’s first crop, well-prepped |
| Kyoto 3R Dirt 1400m | Holy Step | F3 | Saito | Danon Kingly | Cape Cross | – | Blazing workout, sharp acceleration |
| Kyoto 3R Dirt 1400m | Wide Gunsa | C3 | Shono | New Year’s Day | Novellist | Value 100 | Tough competitor, huge betting appeal |
Final Predictions & Picks
For our final selections and recommended bets, see the full breakdown where we combine AI data with professional analysis.View This Week’s Final Picks
Related Articles
- 5 Best Ways to Get to Nakayama Racecourse
- How to Get to Kyoto Racecourse: Access Guide
- A Guide to Using Smart Race Cards for Better Predictions
- Horse Racing Data Analysis: A Beginner’s Guide
未分類
未分類
未分類