Ladies Prelude 2025 Predictions

Ladies Prelude

With a lineup of front-runners like Ammoseira, Takushin Imel, Bastard Saffron, and Feb Blanche, the pace is expected to increase until the formation is settled, favoring closers. This will be a race that tests stamina and endurance.

◎ 8 Bel Gracias
◯ 7 Tenka Jo
▲ 4 Takushin Imel
☆ 2 Love Love Pyro
△ 1 Laurier Flavor
△ 3 Ammoseira
△ 10 Bastard Saffron
△ 11 Feb Blanche

My top pick is Bel Gracias.
In her previous race, the Kanto Oaks, she didn't seem to suit the tight, left-handed turns of Kawasaki. However, she has a record of [2-0-0-0] at the Ohi 1800m, making it her preferred stage. She also showed stamina by finishing 2nd to Knight of Fire in an Ohi 2000m race four starts ago. With a field full of front-runners, if she can return to her ideal conditions and get some help from the race flow, she is capable of contending for the top spots.

◯ Tenka Jo
She has a record of [6-0-4-0], maintaining a 100% top-three finish rate.
She is an experienced 4-year-old filly who is now entering her prime.
In her last race, the Sparking Lady Cup, she carried 58kg and showed tenacity to close in on a track that favored front-runners, despite the distance being a bit short. The increase in distance and the long straight at Ohi are major pluses. With a 2kg weight reduction, she is a solid choice. A reliable anchor for your bets.

▲ Takushin Imel
While the field is packed with front-runners, which might put her at a tactical disadvantage, she won three starts ago by sitting in 4th place. Since her body weight increased three races ago, she has won two out of three, suggesting her growth is catching up. Her last race, the Nagoya Castle Stakes, was a mixed-sex race against decent competition where she led and was soundly defeated, but it was a race that should serve her well in this fillies-only event.
If she doesn't force the lead and can save energy in a good position, she could pull off an upset. Her potential is good enough to compete.

☆ Love Love Pyro
In her last race, the Beautiful Dreamer Cup, she finished 3rd, just 0.2 seconds behind, despite being forced to run wide in a race that favored front-runners. Having drawn an inside gate this time, she could be interesting if she can save ground and navigate the inside on the straight. The level of competition jumps significantly, but if the leaders struggle, she will have her chance. If the race turns into a test of stamina, the drop in distance will also be a positive factor.

Other contenders
Laurier Flavor
In her last race, the Beautiful Dreamer Cup, she benefited from a pace that favored front-runners, but her stamina to win while running wide is worth noting. She isn't popular, but she could be interesting if she can save energy in a good position on the inside. She could be a threat if the race becomes a test of stamina.

Ammoseira
She isn't the type with a great dash, but her ideal is to lead. There are fast horses drawn to her outside, making this gate position somewhat tricky. She performs well if she can find a good rhythm, but the race flow will be difficult this time. Keep as a backup.

Bastard Saffron
She returned from a six-month layoff in her last race, carrying 16kg more. She won by tracking the leader, Wide Blizzard, and pulling away in the straight. Naturally, improvement can be expected, and the outside gate, which allows her to adjust her position based on the leaders, is a plus. However, a dirt graded race in her first start after a class promotion is generally tough. Her last win felt heavily influenced by the race flow, so keep her as a backup.

Feb Blanche
Her track record is among the best here, and her potential is at a winning level. However, she seemed to benefit greatly from the race flow in the Sparking Lady Cup, and she was pulling hard even at a mile. She has high ability and cannot be ignored, but her best distance is a mile, and this race is slightly longer with a tougher expected pace.

Beyond the Valley, making her dirt debut, does not seem suited for local dirt based on her pedigree. She likely wanted to run in the Ireland Trophy this week, so this race feels like a trial run, and I am excluding her.

For betting, I will use a two-horse axis of ◎ and ◯ with 6 combinations.

I plan to post an article on the Japan Dirt Derby tomorrow evening.
I hope you find this helpful.