Recaps

Anjing Zhen Shen urged Kitasan Black to look back on her experiences to find her own reason for running, then shifted to discussing how she might face Wanlai Zhengming. He explained how the Zone could disrupt a racer’s strengths and shared Super Little Bay’s advice to focus on the abilities best suited to each runner.

• Anjing Zhen Shen told Kitasan Black that her past experiences could reveal an inner source of strength and a personal reason to run.
• Kitasan Black recalled the Kikuka Sho and said that memories of her time with Anjing Zhen Shen and everyone else might help her keep running, though she still could not name a reason of her own.
• Anjing Zhen Shen grew flustered by Kitasan Black’s closeness, then redirected their conversation to practical race preparation and Wanlai Zhengming.
• Kitasan Black asked whether Anjing Zhen Shen had learned the secret of the Zone from Tamamo-senpai and the others, and he explained that they had discussed training and ways to counter Zone users.
• Anjing Zhen Shen recounted Super Little Bay’s advice that racers should not chase the Zone if it undermined their strengths, especially long-distance runners who relied on stamina and race control.

Anjing Zhen explained to Kitasan Black what he had learned from Tamamo Cross and Super Little Bay about the zone and Race Domination. They began preparing together for the Arima Kinen by studying Wanlai Zhengming, whose racing record suggested a possible weakness in competing for position.

• Inari One warned Anjing Zhen that obsessing over the zone had harmed her racing, while Tamamo Cross said she had notes about it and Super Little Bay offered notes on Race Domination.
• After studying the notes, Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black they would use Super Little Bay's Race Domination strategy to prepare for the Arima Kinen.
• Anjing Zhen brought Kitasan Black to observe the contenders training, and she noticed Wanlai Zhengming's serious, meticulous focus.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Wanlai Zhengming's repeated second-place finishes in high-level races showed her strength, but her narrow losses suggested a weakness in competing for position.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black watched Wanlai Zhengming practice accelerating through a turn, and Kitasan carefully analyzed her technique. Anjing explained its risks and advantages, then nearly offended Kitasan by calling her heavy before awkwardly describing her as powerful.

• Anjing Zhen brought Kitasan Black to observe Wanlai Zhengming training with several Horse Girls as practice partners.
• Kitasan Black noticed Wanlai Zhengming used shorter strides and a smaller lean to accelerate through the turn, and suggested she might be preparing to pass rivals later.
• Anjing Zhen agreed that Wanlai Zhengming’s approach could build speed early, though it demanded excellent balance and carried risks if she was jostled.
• Anjing Zhen said Wanlai Zhengming was lighter and more agile than Kitasan Black, prompting Kitasan to ask if he was calling her fat.
• Anjing Zhen nearly called Kitasan Black heavy, then hastily praised her as solid, grounded, and powerful.

Anjing Zhen helped Kitasan Black prepare for the Arima Kinen by studying her opponents, and she grew excited about facing the race alongside him. At lunch, Kitasan Black discussed who might enter the race and learned that fan resentment could keep Futanari Shingang from qualifying.

• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black analyzed Wanlai Zhengming’s cornering and possible tactics for the Arima Kinen.
• Over the following days, Anjing Zhen took Kitasan Black to observe the other contenders, and they reviewed their notes each night.
• Kitasan Black felt excited that she and Anjing Zhen were preparing to fight side by side and win the Arima Kinen.
• Duramente asked Kitasan Black about the names in her notebook, and Tsubasa Hayate lamented that an injury had cost her a chance to race in the Arima Kinen.
• Anjing Zhen explained that fans voted impulsively and that Futanari Shingang’s popularity may have fallen because supporters resented her failure to win the Triple Crown.

Kitasan Black worried about Satono Crown facing senior rivals in the Tenno Sho Autumn, while her friends discussed how difficult it was to beat upperclassmen. Duramente tried to comfort Kitasan by reminding her how formidable Gold Ship would be at the Arima Kinen, but Kitasan took the warning as a challenge and resolved not to back down.

• Ribbon Keiko changed the subject after stopping Tsubasa Hayate, and Kitasan Black listed Clear Sky’s recent victories before worrying about Satono Crown’s upcoming Tenno Sho Autumn.
• Tsubasa Hayate and Duramente warned that defeating senior Horse Girls was difficult, and Kitasan Black silently reflected on the gap between herself and her seniors.
• Duramente tried to reassure Kitasan Black by pointing out Gold Ship’s many G1 victories and her strength as a rival in the Arima Kinen.
• Futanari Shingang stopped Duramente and pointed out that her attempted comfort had only made Kitasan Black look more discouraged.
• Kitasan Black said she understood Duramente meant well and vowed not to back down from the Arima Kinen, asking why she could not achieve what Gold Ship had.

Kitasan Black reflected on her determination to give everything in the Arima Kinen despite doubting she could beat Gold Ship. As the race approached, Satono Diamond spoke with her family about her upcoming Condition Race, while Kitasan wrestled with her worry over Clear Sky’s strength and felt ashamed when Gold Ship’s Japan Cup defeat gave her a moment of hope.

• Kitasan Black resolved to keep training and race with all her strength for the people who supported her, believing she still had a chance to win the Arima Kinen.
• More than a month later, Kitasan returned to the dorm and quietly listened as Satono Diamond’s family and Satono Crown encouraged her ahead of the Condition Race.
• Kitasan recalled Clear Sky’s victory over Satono Crown in the Tenno Sho Autumn and worried about facing the seniors in the Arima Kinen.
• Kitasan watched Gold Ship finish tenth and Clear Sky finish third in the Japan Cup, which Shonan Haze won.
• Kitasan wondered whether Gold Ship’s strength had declined, then felt ashamed of the relief she had briefly felt.

Kitasan Black reflected on her shameful wish that Gold Ship would weaken, while celebrating Satono Diamond’s successful debut. After learning Satono Crown considered her one of the strongest Horse Girls of their generation, Kitasan Black decided to tell Trainer Yasui what had been troubling her.

• Kitasan Black remembered Satono Diamond’s impressive debut victory and praised her during their video call.
• Satono Diamond explained that she planned to travel to Nakayama Racecourse after her race so she could watch Kitasan Black compete in the Arima Kinen.
• Satono Diamond told Kitasan Black that Satono Crown had felt pressure facing her and had chosen the Tenno Sho Autumn partly because she doubted she could beat her in the Kikuka Sho.
• Kitasan Black compared Satono Crown’s openness with her own silence about her feelings and decided to be honest with Trainer Yasui.
• Satono Diamond encouraged Kitasan Black to tell Trainer Yasui everything, and Kitasan Black rushed off to find him.

Kitasan Black rushed to Anjing Zhen's apartment to discuss something urgent, while Satono Diamond secretly followed after her. At the door, Kitasan Black spotted Anjing Zhen wearing pajamas styled after her Victory Outfit and became flustered as he tried to explain they were a merchandise sample.

• Kitasan Black hurried out of her dorm, telling Daiwa Scarlet she needed to speak urgently with Trainer.
• Satono Diamond slipped out in black clothes, made an excuse to Daiwa Scarlet, and went looking for Kitasan Black.
• Kitasan Black arrived at Anjing Zhen's apartment and knocked before realizing she should have called first.
• Anjing Zhen opened the door in pajamas whose colors and details resembled Kitasan Black's Victory Outfit.
• Anjing Zhen explained that the pajamas were a sample from a commercial collaboration, not something he had specially ordered.

Kitasan Black visited Anjing Zhen to discuss Gold Ship’s declining performance, and he reviewed the evidence with her. He found no sign of physical problems and wondered whether Gold Ship had ever truly given her all in a race.

• Kitasan Black realized she had mistaken Anjing Zhen’s pajamas for a special show of support, then told him she had something important to discuss.
• Anjing Zhen learned that Kitasan Black was worried Gold Ship’s abilities had declined and invited her inside to talk.
• Anjing Zhen explained that he and his team had been monitoring the Arima Kinen contenders, and that Gold Artisan had asked him about Gold Ship’s condition.
• Anjing Zhen showed Kitasan Black Gold Ship’s medical records, which showed no injuries or illnesses despite four years of racing and twenty-seven starts.
• Anjing Zhen wondered whether Gold Ship had ever truly given her all, because her physical condition seemed brand-new.

Anjing Zhen concluded that Gold Ship’s poor recent race results might stem from a decline in her mental abilities rather than her physical condition. He showed Kitasan Black Gold Ship’s Implicit Association Test results, which suggested her reactions were slower than normal even when presented with familiar words.

• Kitasan Black recalled Gold Ship’s races and agreed that Gold Ship had appeared to give her all in each one.
• Anjing Zhen explained that mental abilities such as concentration, reaction speed, and resistance to interference were essential in races.
• Anjing Zhen showed Kitasan Black Gold Ship’s Implicit Association Test and explained how it measured reaction time, concentration, and resistance to distractions.
• Kitasan Black realized that the test treated Gold Ship’s unusual self-designed training methods as familiar and conventional training terms as distractions.
• Anjing Zhen said Gold Ship’s results showed unusually slow reactions and suggested that her mental abilities had declined.

Anjing Zhen explained why he had withheld details about Kitasan Black’s Arima Kinen opponents and showed her the extensive mental preparation he had made. His analysis reshaped her understanding of racing into a complex contest among formidable rivals, leaving her newly able to examine her own feelings and opponents objectively.

• Kitasan Black asked Anjing Zhen why he had not told her sooner about her opponents, and he said he had wanted to prevent her from relying on their weaknesses or mistaking them for easy victories.
• Anjing Zhen showed Kitasan Black his mental preparation plan and explained that Gold Ship’s imperfect mental state did not make her an easy opponent given her physical condition.
• Anjing Zhen described the strengths and weaknesses of Wanlai Zhengming, Clear Sky, Golden Lyric, and Katsuno Stone, warning that the Arima Kinen would be a fierce early fight for the Lead Position.
• Anjing Zhen warned that Nakayama Racecourse offered Kitasan Black little chance to take the Lead Position later if she failed to secure it at the start.
• Kitasan Black reconsidered how she viewed racing and her rivals, recognizing them as active, complex competitors and examining her own doubts with greater objectivity.

Kitasan Black regained her fighting spirit after learning how deeply Anjing Zhen had prepared for the Arima Kinen, and she rushed back to her dorm before curfew. On December 27, she and Anjing Zhen began simulating the race with a sand table she had made, identifying likely early position battles among the runners.

• Kitasan Black asked Anjing Zhen how to handle Golden Lyric and Katsuno Stone at the Arima Kinen, then enthusiastically resumed their preparations.
• Anjing Zhen reminded Kitasan Black that Senior Yamato would lock her out if she returned to the dorm late, and she hurried off, promising to work hard with him the next day.
• Anjing Zhen checked his schedule before going to sleep and briefly looked at the red-circled date, 27.
• On December 27 at Nakayama Racecourse, Kitasan Black presented Anjing Zhen with a detailed sand table she had made for race simulations.
• Kitasan Black placed pieces for Wanlai Zhengming, Golden Lyric, Katsuno Stone, Rifaru, and herself in their starting gates, and Anjing Zhen predicted that they would form three position-battling groups after the start.

Anjing Zhen guided Kitasan Black through a detailed simulation of the Arima Kinen, helping her analyze the opening positions and possible moves by her rivals. After they finished their preparations, he left her to get ready and recognized that the race would also be Gold Ship's retirement race.

• Kitasan Black explained how the Arima Kinen's starting lanes and early course layout would shape the fight for position.
• Anjing Zhen analyzed Wanlai Zhengming and Golden Lyric's likely opening moves and described the risks of staying close to Rifaru.
• Kitasan Black judged that she would need to adapt to Katsuno Stone's uncertain opening strategy and agreed to keep her distance from Rifaru until at least the second turn.
• Anjing Zhen praised Kitasan Black and led her through simulations of the race's possible opening scenarios and later stages.
• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black checked her equipment and supplies before he left the Preparation Room, anxious about the race and Gold Ship's retirement.

As the Arima Kinen approached, Anjing Zhen struggled with anxiety over Kitasan Black’s race and Gold Ship’s retirement. Tokai Teio found him outside the Preparation Room, while Deep Impact, Maestro, The Matriarch, and Gold Artisan headed toward the stands.

• Anjing Zhen reflected on Gold Ship’s retirement announcement and the Arima Kinen’s importance as a traditional farewell race.
• Anjing Zhen worried that Kitasan Black might face setbacks despite her rigorous training and preparation.
• Tokai Teio approached Anjing Zhen and warned that his nervousness could affect Little Kita.
• Anjing Zhen recognized Deep Impact, Maestro, The Matriarch, and Gold Artisan with Tokai Teio.
• Tokai Teio sent Deep Impact and the others to reserve seats near the finish line, then asked Anjing Zhen about his nerves.

Tokai Teio found Anjing Zhen nervous about Kitasan Black’s Arima Kinen and steadied him with encouragement and praise. As the racecourse fell silent, Kitasan Black entered the Starting Gate and the race began.

• Tokai Teio explained that she had noticed Anjing Zhen’s nerves and walked with him toward the stands.
• Tokai Teio told Anjing Zhen that Kitasan Black had seemed composed, and that she had promised to wait for her at the Finish Line.
• At the stands, Tokai Teio praised Anjing Zhen as a Trainer and said she was glad she had entrusted Kitasan Black to him.
• Anjing Zhen watched the Introduction Segment and felt Tokai Teio’s sincere words calm him as he waited for Kitasan Black.
• The commentator announced the contenders at Nakayama Racecourse, and the Starting Gates opened at the start of the race.

The Arima Kinen began with an unusually fierce struggle for the lead as Kitasan Black stayed close behind Golden Lyric. As the runners approached the first turn, Golden Lyric decided to conserve her strength rather than keep fighting Kitasan Black for the lead.

• Sixteen runners launched from the gate, and Gold Ship settled toward the back while cutting inward.
• Golden Lyric edged ahead of Kitasan Black, Wanlai Zhengming, Rifaru, and Clear Sky as Katsuno Stone closed on the leading group.
• Tokai Teio, Deep Impact, Gold Artisan, and The Matriarch watched in surprise at the race’s unusually intense opening.
• Golden Lyric realized Kitasan Black’s close pursuit made her fast front-running tactic costly and chose to save stamina for a final burst.
• Wanlai Zhengming and Rifaru felt the pressure of Kitasan Black as the leaders approached the first turn.

At the Arima Kinen, Kitasan Black felt the pressure of several experienced rivals tracking her every move, but steadied herself by recalling her preparations. She spotted a narrow opening in the pack and launched toward it.

• Wanlai Zhengming admired Kitasan Black’s powerful running, while Rifaru recalled her performance at the Kikuka Sho and worried about when to accelerate.
• Katsuno Stone reassessed the race and decided Kitasan Black was now the greatest threat to her plan to take the Lead Position.
• Clear Sky scanned the runners and looked toward a tall figure in a red Victory Outfit near the back of the pack.
• Kitasan Black realized several rivals were watching her closely, felt overwhelmed by the pressure, and then drew on her race preparations to calm herself.
• Kitasan Black spotted a gap in the runners’ routes and launched toward it.

Kitasan Black surged past Golden Lyric to take the lead at the start of the Arima Kinen, throwing the front of the field into confusion. Clear Sky assessed the resulting shifts and kept her attention on the opponent she considered the real threat as the sixteen racers headed toward the turn.

• Kitasan Black burst forward and overtook Golden Lyric, who cut inward to let her pass.
• Wanlai Zhengming adjusted her stride and settled behind her opponents, excited by the changing race.
• Rifaru froze in alarm as Kitasan Black's surge recalled her loss in the Kikuka Sho, while Katsuno Stone steadied herself and resolved to keep pursuing victory.
• Clear Sky calmly assessed the disrupted field and glanced back toward the opponent she was watching.
• The commentator announced Kitasan Black's lead, Gold Ship's position at the rear, and Clear Sky's place near the front as the pack raced toward the turn.

Gold Ship calmly began closing the gap from the back of the Arima Kinen field as Kitasan Black led the race. In the stands, Gold Artisan and The Matriarch discussed Kitasan Black’s tactics, and Deep Impact explained why she had stopped using her Great Escape style.

• Kitasan Black led the field onto the grandstand straight, while Rifaru and Golden Lyric followed and Wanlai Zhengming found herself boxed in.
• Gold Ship remained composed at the back and steadily closed the distance, drawing deafening cheers from her fans.
• The Matriarch mocked Gold Ship’s loyal supporters, and Gold Artisan ignored her to study the race.
• The Matriarch questioned why Kitasan Black was not using her Great Escape tactic, and Deep Impact explained that Kitasan Black could not sustain her powerful burst for long.

Deep Impact explained why Kitasan Black’s slow escape suited her, while Anjing Zhen and Tokai Teio watched her lead the Arima Kinen. As the field entered the left-hand bend, Gold Ship launched a powerful acceleration from behind.

• Deep Impact explained that Kitasan Black relied on repeated bursts and stamina to compensate for her weaker acceleration and top speed, and said her Great Escape at the Saint Lite Kinen had combined tactics with practiced skill.
• The Matriarch recognized that Kitasan Black’s unexpected Great Escape had caught her rivals off guard, and Deep Impact said the slow escape was the running style best suited to her.
• Anjing Zhen said Kitasan Black had mastered most of the skills her slow escape required and had performed exceptionally well so far in the Arima Kinen.
• Tokai Teio silently urged Kitasan Black on, believing she had a strong chance to win if she maintained her form and adapted to surprises.
• As the pack entered the left-hand bend, the commentator announced Gold Ship’s move, and Gold Ship accelerated sharply, putting pressure on all fifteen runners ahead of her.

Gold Ship surged through the pack during the Arima Kinen, disrupting the other runners’ strategies as Clear Sky and Katsuno Stone tried to hold their positions. Rifaru caught up to Kitasan Black but was stunned by how calmly Kitasan Black continued to run amid the chaos.

• Gold Ship charged forward through the pack, pressuring the nearby Horse Girls and throwing the race into disorder.
• Clear Sky decided to increase her pace, while Katsuno Stone steadied herself and waited for an opening.
• Wanlai Zhengming used the confusion caused by Gold Ship to escape the runners boxing her in and move ahead.
• Golden Lyric and Rifaru accelerated to keep Gold Ship from passing them, and Rifaru drew alongside Kitasan Black.
• Rifaru looked at Kitasan Black and saw that she remained calm and focused despite Gold Ship’s advance and the chaos around them.

As Gold Ship charged through the pack in her retirement race, Kitasan Black held the lead alongside Rifaru while fighting intense physical strain and nerves. Kitasan Black recognized the surging runner behind her as her senior, and the Third Turn marker approached as the red streak rapidly closed in.

• Rifaru realized Kitasan Black was far more composed and formidable, but resolved to keep fighting in the Arima Kinen.
• Gold Ship surged through the field, throwing the runners into disarray as Kitasan Black maintained the lead beside Rifaru.
• The Matriarch, Gold Artisan, Deep Impact, Tokai Teio, and Anjing Zhen watched the dramatic race and urged the runners on.
• Kitasan Black controlled her breathing and stride while assessing her stamina and the other runners' positions and rhythms.
• Kitasan Black recognized the fast-approaching runner from behind as her senior, and the Third Turn marker drew near.

Kitasan Black recalled Gold Ship’s decision to retire and the promise they made before the Arima Kinen. She renewed her resolve to defeat every opponent as she led into the fourth turn, while Gold Ship surged into third or fourth place and prepared to challenge her.

• Kitasan Black remembered finding Gold Ship training after the retirement announcement and hearing that Gold Ship planned to continue racing in the Dream Cup.
• Gold Ship urged Kitasan Black to give her all in the Arima Kinen and said she believed in her potential.
• Kitasan Black resolved to win the race for herself, her Trainer, and Gold Ship, then held the lead as she entered the fourth turn.
• Gold Ship caught sight of Kitasan Black ahead and felt proud of her effort.
• Gold Ship decided to push herself just as hard in response to Kitasan Black’s determination.

Gold Ship launched her final sprint as Kitasan Black fought to hold the lead against Golden Lyric and Wanlai Zhengming in the chaotic final stretch. With the finish line close, Kitasan Black faced two challengers surging toward her and the pressure of Gold Ship behind.

• Gold Ship began her final sprint and closed in on Kitasan Black as the commentator announced the final stretch.
• Golden Lyric, Wanlai Zhengming, and Katsuno Stone surged through the pack while Kitasan Black remained in front.
• The Matriarch, Gold Artisan, Deep Impact, Tokai Teio, and Anjing Zhen shouted encouragement as the race reached its final meters.
• Gold Ship kept fighting alongside Clear Sky while Katsuno Stone chased and Golden Lyric and Wanlai Zhengming advanced toward Kitasan Black.
• Kitasan Black struggled with heavy legs but recognized she still had one last chance to hold her lead.

Kitasan Black used her final burst of speed to win the Arima Kinen in a near-simultaneous finish. Anjing Zhen and the others celebrated, though their embrace left him with a painful injury to his left arm.

• Kitasan Black recalled how she had used three carefully timed bursts to take and defend the lead during the race.
• Kitasan Black unleashed her final burst and charged toward the Finish Line as Gold Ship, Clear Sky, Wanlai Zhengming, and Golden Lyric pursued.
• The announcer revealed the standings: Kitasan Black finished first, followed by Golden Lyric, Wanlai Zhengming, Clear Sky, and Gold Ship.
• Anjing Zhen struggled to believe Kitasan Black had won as the crowd erupted into cheers.
• Several figures rushed to embrace Anjing Zhen, knocking him toward one knee and causing sharp pain in his left arm.