Urawa Racecourse // Race Preview: 2026 Chokigen Tokubetsu (B3)

An in-depth analysis of the 1500m dirt race on January 6, 2026. We’re breaking down top contenders like Fast One and Churatt, reviewing their training, stable comments, and rich bloodlines to find the winning edge.

Key Takeaways

• ✓The Chokigen Tokubetsu is a 1500m dirt race at Urawa, a tight course that strongly favors front-running horses.
• ✓Fast One is the top contender, boasting an ideal pedigree for local dirt tracks and demonstrating excellent training form.
• ✓Churatt, with Kurofune as broodmare sire, shows high course suitability and carries strong momentum despite stepping up in class.
• ✓Consistent performer Czerny, and dark horses The Rock and Flügelkugel, are also ones to watch.

Contents

1. Race Overview & Course Features
2. Analysis of Top Contenders
   1. 1. Fast One (Filly, 4)
   2. 2. Churatt (Filly, 4)
   3. 3. Czerny (Mare, 5)
3. Dark Horses & Special Mentions
4. Conclusion: The Final Verdict

Race Overview & Course Features

The new year kicks off with the “Chokigen Tokubetsu,” the main event at Urawa Racecourse on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. This race marks the first day of the New Year’s meet and features a field of in-form B3 class horses. Here, we’ll dissect the key factors for this 1500m dirt contest, from training reports to stable insights.

• Date: Tuesday, Jan 6, 2026
• Post Time: 17:45
• Condition: B3 Class, Thoroughbred
• Distance: 1500m Dirt (Left-handed)

Urawa’s 1500m course is known for its tight turns, demanding agility and early speed. Pace-setters and forwardly-placed horses tend to have a significant advantage, though a mid-race surge can succeed depending on the race’s flow.

Analysis of Top Contenders

1. Fast One

Expected Odds: 2.0 (Favorite)

Filly, 4 | Urawa – Tomoyuki Fujiwara Stable

Bloodline: Sire Espoir City × Broodmare Sire Kurofune

A pedigree optimized for local dirt tracks, combining the stamina of top dirt sire Espoir City with the power and speed of Kurofune.

Recent Form:

• Posted a strong workout (53.8-39.0) on Dec 30, finishing on par with stablemate Vanguards Heart (B3).
• Stable commented: “She maintains her form. We expect her to win here as she climbs the ranks.”
• Won her last race wire-to-wire, showcasing mental growth during her first long-distance trip.

2. Churatt

Expected Odds: 4.6

Filly, 4 | Urawa – Takashi Mizuno Stable

Bloodline: Sire Isla Bonita × Broodmare Sire Kurofune

Also featuring Kurofune on the dam’s side. Sire Isla Bonita is known for producing agile horses, a great fit for Urawa’s tight track.

Recent Form:

• Dominated her last race with an impressive turn of foot, posting the fastest final 3 furlongs.
• Trainer Mizuno noted: “She ran as expected. No signs of fatigue.” Her momentum could overcome the class jump.

3. Czerny

Expected Odds: 7.6

Mare, 5 | Urawa – Yoshikazu Kanuma Stable

Bloodline: Sire A Shin Hikari × Broodmare Sire Forty Niner’s Son

A progeny of the speedy A Shin Hikari, bringing a high cruising speed to the table.

Recent Form:

• Narrowly missed in her last two starts, losing by only 0.2 seconds each time.
• Praised for her “outstanding movement” in training, suggesting she’s ready for a peak performance.
• Excellent record at this 1500m distance at Urawa (4 wins in 7 starts).

Dark Horses & Special Mentions

The Rock (Gelding, 5): After running longer distances and over hurdles, he showed a new aptitude by finishing 2nd in a 1400m race at Urawa. His ability to handle the tight track is a positive sign. With comments like “still in great form,” he could cause an upset if the race unfolds in his favor.

Flügelkugel (Colt, 4): Sired by dirt champion Sinister Minister. While this is a step up in class, trainer Kokubo believes “there’s more improvement to come.” With ace jockey Tsubasa Sasagawa aboard, he is a horse to watch closely.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

The 2026 Chokigen Tokubetsu is shaping up to be a duel between two talented 4-year-old fillies: Fast One, whose speed is a cut above, and the rapidly improving Churatt. Fast One, with her strong training reports and the stable’s high confidence, stands out as the prime candidate for the win.

From a pedigree perspective, the two fillies carrying the blood of Kurofune appear formidable on Urawa’s demanding dirt surface. To round out the ticket, consider the consistent Czerny, who returns to her favorite distance, and the high-potential dark horse The Rock.

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