Horse Racing Content Specialist
/January 10, 2026
Key Takeaways
Tough Course: The Pollux Stakes is run on the Nakayama Dirt 1800m, a demanding course with two steep inclines.
Mystic Roar’s Potential: Despite a long layoff, Mystic Roar shows powerful form in training and possesses top-tier talent.
Habile’s Consistency: A strong second-place finisher in last year’s Pollux Stakes, Habile offers reliability on a familiar course.
Rising Stars: Kazeno Runner (2-win streak) and Teo Grandville (returning to dirt) are formidable challengers.
Race & Course Overview
The Nakayama Dirt 1800m course in winter presents a unique challenge. The distance from the start to the first corner is short, often leading to an intense early pace as horses vie for position. However, the track’s defining feature is its tough layout, which requires horses to climb a steep incline twice. This demands not just raw speed, but also exceptional stamina and power to maintain momentum to the finish line. Pedigree and a proven ability to handle a demanding pace are crucial keys to success on this course.
Contender Bloodline Profiles
| Horse | Sire / Grandsire | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Mystic Roar | Arrogate / Tiznow | A product of elite American bloodlines; his sire won the Dubai WC. Top-class potential despite a long layoff. |
| Habile | Henny Hughes / Black Tide | Progeny of Henny Hughes excel at Nakayama Dirt 1800m. Finished 2nd in this race last year. |
| Kazeno Runner | Kizuna / King Kamehameha | A blend of power and endurance. His front-running style is a major weapon. |
| Teo Grandville | Lea / Tapit | Strong American dirt pedigree. Could see a dramatic improvement returning to dirt. |
| Walzer Schall | Makfi / Empire Maker | Makfi’s offspring have a strong record at Nakayama Dirt. The 60kg handicap is the key challenge. |
Competitor Form Analysis
Mystic Roar: The High-Potential Comeback
Making his first start in approximately 1 year and 3 months, Mystic Roar (Rit-Yahagi stable) is one to watch. In a recent workout (Jan 8, Ritto Hill), he clocked 55.3-39.9-25.2-12.2 under a strong drive. The stable commented, “He’s powerful despite the time off, he’s ready.” While his temperament remains a concern, his immense latent ability makes him a serious contender.
Habile: Seeking Redemption
After a strong second-place finish in last year’s Pollux Stakes, Habile (Miho-Takei stable) returns. His January 8th workout at Miho Woodchip was an extensive 6F run timed at 81.0-66.4-51.8-37.6-12.0. Though slightly behind his partner, his movements were powerful and evaluated as “thoroughly prepared.” He’ll look to leverage his experience on his favorite Nakayama Dirt 1800m course.
Kazeno Runner: The In-Form Challenger
Riding a two-race winning streak, Kazeno Runner (Rit-Matsunaga Miki stable) is in peak form. His January 7th workout on the CW track showed a sharp finish at 86.5-70.3-54.3-37.8-11.4. The assessment “no decline in condition” confirms he’s maintaining a high level of performance. If he can dictate the pace from the front, he is a major threat even in this higher class.
Teo Grandville: Unlocking Dirt Potential
Switching back from turf to dirt, Teo Grandville (Rit-Uemura stable) is a dark horse. He posted an impressive 83.2-68.1-52.9-37.4-11.5 in his January 8th CW workout. Described as being in “excellent physical shape,” he’s primed to unleash his natural dirt ability. AI predictions also rate him highly (CPU mark ○), making him an intriguing prospect.
Pace & Race Flow Prediction
While there isn’t a definitive front-runner in this lineup, we expect horses like Kazeno Runner and Habile to push for a forward position. The pace is projected to be “M” (Medium). With several forwardly-placed horses, the battle for position in the middle stages could intensify, creating a race that demands stamina and endurance. The key will be watching whether closers like Walzer Schall and Hagino Sustainable can reel in the leaders down the stretch.
Final Analysis & Expert Picks
For our final selections, which synthesize pedigree, training data, and AI evaluations, please refer to the related articles below. Dive deeper into the data to finalize your strategy.
Further Reading:
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