Yes, it's a gambling game
There's a good explanation here: www.tofugu.com/2012/04/14/japan-world-cup-crazy-horse-racing-simulator/
For more CG madness, search Youtube for "ski jumping pairs" which is also done by Riichiro Mashima.
The latter even spawned a film. Don't know if it's any good but I'll bet that it's very Japanese: www.imdb.com/title/tt0824397/
(, Mon 17 Dec 2012, 11:18, Reply)