The G2 Spring Stakes race took place at Nakayama Racecourse on March 16, 2025, where 12 three-year-old colts competed over 1800 meters. This race serves as the last major preparatory contest for the prestigious Satsuki Sho, with the top three finishers earning priority entry.
Pikochanh Black, trained by Yuki Uehara, came back strong after finishing 13th at the Hopeful Stakes, clinching victory as the second favorite with odds of 3.8. This marked his first graded race victory, clocking in at 1 minute and 51.5 seconds. Notably, Pikochanh Black is sired by the famed Kitason Black, who won the same race back in 2015, making this victory even more significant as it marks the third consecutive generation of his lineage to win.
The jockey riding Pikochanh Black, Ryota Ishibashi, expressed his joy over securing the win, stating, "It feels great to have won this title, especially since it is my first graded win since the 2023 Stayers Stakes with Iron Baroque." It’s also the first title for Uehara after three years of training professionally.
Fukunob Blue Lake, rated as the seventh favorite and ridden by Masahiro Matsuoka, finished closely behind, securing second place. Despite being less favored, Fukunob Blue Lake surprised many with his strong performance.
King Scope, who had not raced for eight months following his maiden victory, was the favorite at the event, finishing third under jockey Yutaka Fujiwara. Fujiwara noted some issues during the race, particularly with the conditions of the track. "I had to make my move early because running around the outside was not ideal for us. He has immense power and strides beautifully; I would have preferred to run on faster ground," he said, reflecting on the difficult track conditions.
His trainer, Yukihiro Yahagi, also commented on the race, lamenting the impact of the rain on King Scope’s performance: "The rain affected us greatly. The horse was around 70 percent today. We need to work on getting him to have the best condition possible for our next races, especially the Satsuki Sho." Despite finishing third, King Scope secured priority entry for the upcoming Satsuki Sho, providing hope for his fans.
Another horse worth mentioning is Danon Century, who had shown improvement leading up to the race after his maiden outing. Valued at 21 million yen during the 2022 Select Sale, his trainer confirmed the horse’s rising form, stating, “He has been showing good progress after his first race, and we are eager to see how he competes against such tough opponents."
Two other competitors include Matenro Baroque, who achieved back-to-back wins after his maiden race and is showing great promise, and Jet Magnum, who won the Freesia Stakes at Nakayama previously, continuing to perform consistently within these high-stakes environments.
Overall, the G2 Spring Stakes served as not just a competitive showcase but also as an indicator for the Satsuki Sho, allowing trainers to assess their horses' readiness and performances against powerful contenders. With unpredictable weather conditions causing shifts during the race, the results shed light on how well each horse might perform moving forward.