Recaps

Anjing Zhen reassured Daiwa Scarlet that he had considered the risks of Kitasan Black failing to qualify for the Satsuki Sho and explained his plans for her upcoming races. Daiwa Scarlet approved of his approach and agreed to leave Kitasan Black’s practice run to him.

• Kitasan Black warmly reunited with Daiwa Scarlet and introduced her Trainer, Anjing Zhen.
• Daiwa Scarlet asked Anjing Zhen how he planned to handle the possibility that Kitasan Black would lose upcoming races and miss the fan requirements for major races.
• Anjing Zhen described alternative race plans and said he expected Kitasan Black to win her next two races, including the Spring Stakes.
• Daiwa Scarlet was impressed by Anjing Zhen’s training philosophy and offered to follow his instructions for the practice run.

Anjing Zhen explained why Kitasan Black was best suited to the Escape running style and why he had used a risky strategy in her Debut Race. Kitasan accepted his reasoning and prepared to learn more detailed race tactics as her experience grew.

• Kitasan Black learned from Anjing Zhen and Daiwa Scarlet that Escape suited her best because of her burst power and stamina, while her Final Burst remained weak.
• Daiwa Scarlet was astonished that Anjing Zhen had assessed Kitasan’s running style early and tailored her training accordingly.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Kitasan’s Debut Race strategy had been risky but was intended to build experience handling the pressure of being overtaken.
• Kitasan Black promised to listen closely and follow Anjing Zhen’s instructions as he began explaining more advanced training details.
• Daiwa Scarlet reflected that Anjing Zhen had willingly risked Kitasan’s first race result to prepare her for important races later.

Kitasan Black trained with Daiwa Scarlet for several days, learning from her before their joint runs paused. Daiwa Scarlet teased Kitasan Black with a story about Special Week, while Anjing Zhen gave Kitasan Black a song he had written to try at karaoke.

• Kitasan Black ran with Daiwa Scarlet every morning and evening, improving under her guidance.
• Daiwa Scarlet said they would stop training together for two or three weeks and told Kitasan Black they would still meet at Kurito Dormitory, where she would be supervisor.
• Daiwa Scarlet recalled how Special Week had rushed from Tokyo Racecourse to the Academy on registration day and arrived late, nearly getting locked outside.
• Anjing Zhen told Daiwa Scarlet that Kitasan Black would train that afternoon and had plans to go singing with friends that evening.
• Anjing Zhen gave Kitasan Black sheet music for a song he had written and suggested she try it at karaoke and possibly post it to her Racing Account.

Anjing Zhen wrote Kitasan Black a song to help her gain enough fans to enter her upcoming Condition Race. After Kitasan Black sang it for Satono Diamond and Satono Crown, they were astonished by the song and Anjing Zhen’s talent.

• Anjing Zhen explained that Kitasan Black needed more fans to meet the entry requirement for her Condition Race, so he had written her a song.
• Kitasan Black praised Anjing Zhen’s song and discovered its title was “Uchiage Hanabi.”
• Kitasan Black sang “Uchiage Hanabi” at a Harajuku KTV for Satono Diamond and Satono Crown.
• Satono Diamond praised the song and Kitasan Black’s singing, while Satono Crown expressed disbelief that Anjing Zhen had written it just to help Kitasan Black gain fans.

Kitasan Black explained that her Trainer had written a song to help her gain enough fans to enter next month’s Condition Race, and she planned to ask her famous musical relatives to help. After singing “Winning the Soul” with Satono Crown, she left the KTV and spotted Symboli Rudolf with an unfamiliar girl, then hurriedly said goodbye to the Satono Sisters.

• Kitasan Black told Satono Diamond and Satono Crown that her Trainer had written her a song to help her qualify for the next Condition Race, and she planned to ask her grandfather and relatives for help performing it.
• Kitasan Black and Satono Crown challenged each other to take the center position when they sang “Winning the Soul,” while Satono Diamond queued the song and quietly hoped to pursue the Triple Crown herself next year.
• Kitasan Black and the Satono Sisters sang together at the KTV, with Satono Crown saying she planned to perform the song at all three Winner’s Stages that year.
• Outside the KTV, Satono Crown spotted Symboli Rudolf, and Kitasan Black noticed an unfamiliar long-haired girl beside her before quickly saying goodbye to the sisters.

Anjing Zhen listened to Kitasan Black’s demo of Uchiage Hanabi and planned to use its finished recording to help her meet the fan requirement for her upcoming race. Kitasan Black said her family wanted to meet him and would watch her debut on TV, leaving them determined to prepare for her race.

• Kitasan Black performed Uchiage Hanabi for Anjing Zhen, who praised her voice and the song.
• Kitasan Black explained that her family had been shocked by the song and had helped record the demo after verifying it was Anjing Zhen’s original work.
• Anjing Zhen agreed that Kitasan Black should record the finished version next week and upload it to her Racing Account to attract enough fans for the Condition Race.
• Kitasan Black said her family wanted to meet Anjing Zhen but would watch her debut on TV instead.
• Anjing Zhen learned that Kitasan Black’s family hoped to attend a future race, and he said they would work hard not to let them down.

Anjing Zhen prepared Kitasan Black for the Condition Race by reviewing her experienced opponents and explaining why she should run closer to the front. Kitasan Black understood the strategy and asked Anjing Zhen to tell her when to accelerate.

• Kitasan Black's fan count surpassed the 24,000 required for the Condition Race and eventually rose above 40,000 in total.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Kitasan Black was the only runner in the race who had made her debut that year, while most opponents had more experience and professional guidance.
• Kitasan Black recognized Sato no Takarazuka, and Anjing Zhen described Takarazuka's strong, improving record across five races.
• Anjing Zhen reviewed Saint Martin's and Crusher Blaze's powerful Final Bursts, and Kitasan Black inferred that she should build a lead and maintain her speed against them.
• Anjing Zhen warned that Touki might lead and that Kitasan Black's slow acceleration made it important to stay near the front; Kitasan Black asked when she should accelerate.

Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen met T.M. Opera O, Daiwa Scarlet, and Vodka at Tokyo Racecourse before Kitasan’s race. T.M. Opera O revealed that Sato no Takarazuka’s Trainer had once trained her, then left to meet that Trainer.

• Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen went to the dining area after her warm-up and encountered T.M. Opera O, Daiwa Scarlet, and Vodka.
• Daiwa Scarlet introduced Kitasan Black to T.M. Opera O and Vodka, while she and Vodka bickered and nearly challenged each other to a run.
• Anjing Zhen recalled Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet’s famous rivalry, and Kitasan Black explained that they were close despite their constant arguments.
• T.M. Opera O asked about Kitasan Black’s race and said she had come to support Sato no Takarazuka’s Trainer.
• T.M. Opera O revealed that she had once been trained by Sato no Takarazuka’s Trainer, then left to meet that person.

Kitasan Black learned that T.M. Opera O was connected to her rival’s trainer, but Anjing Zhen encouraged her to focus on racing rather than trainers. Kitasan prepared for the upcoming race while Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka discussed Anjing Zhen and his approach, leaving to watch Kitasan compete.

• Kitasan Black grew nervous after learning that Senior T.M. Opera O was her opponent’s trainer, but Anjing Zhen asked whether that would stop her from racing.
• Kitasan affirmed that she would prepare properly and win for her grandfather and the others, then ate her pre-race meal.
• Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka privately discussed Anjing Zhen’s abilities and whether Vodka could pursue her research at the Academy.
• Kitasan finished eating, and Vodka told her to go prepare while she and Daiwa Scarlet planned to cheer from the stands.
• Vodka told Daiwa Scarlet that Anjing Zhen seemed different from most Japanese trainers, contrasting his approach with the Academy’s focus on credentials and seniority.

Anjing Zhen joined Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka in the stands to watch the seventh race, discussing his training methods and his parents’ influence. He was looking forward to Kitasan Black’s appearance, but she became the focus of the crowd’s laughter when her jacket zipper got stuck.

• Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka saved Anjing Zhen a place in the crowded stands.
• Anjing Zhen explained how he recorded his first impressions of races and combined instinct with data, crediting his parents for his training ideas.
• Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka discussed Crusher Blaze’s race times and strong finishing burst as she appeared in the paddock.
• Anjing Zhen avoided asking whether horse girls felt awkward tossing aside their jackets during the paddock introduction.
• Kitasan Black appeared with her jacket zipped up, but the stuck zipper stopped her from taking it off, drawing laughter from the crowd and embarrassing Anjing Zhen.

Kitasan Black embarrassed herself by struggling with her tracksuit before entering a 2000-meter race, while Anjing Zhen’s friends questioned how she would manage her speed. As the race unfolded, Daiwa Scarlet realized Kitasan Black might be following Sato no Takarazuka’s pace, and she called out her name in surprise.

• Kitasan Black discovered that her tracksuit zipper was stuck, then ripped the jacket open and hurried to the staff as Sato no Takarazuka watched.
• Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet discussed Kitasan Black’s difficulty controlling her speed, while Anjing Zhen kept his race plan to himself.
• Fourteen competitors started the race, with Touki taking the lead, Saint Martin settling into second, and Sato no Takarazuka moving into third.
• Daiwa Scarlet wondered why Anjing Zhen seemed calm as Kitasan Black followed the leading pack without making a move.
• Near the third turn, Daiwa Scarlet realized Kitasan Black might be following Sato no Takarazuka and exclaimed her name.

Kitasan Black used Sato no Takarazuka as a guide through the race, then surged past the field and held off Takarazuka to win by a quarter of a horse length. As Kitasan celebrated her second consecutive victory, Takarazuka left the track vowing not to hesitate next time.

• Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka realized Anjing Zhen had planned for Kitasan Black to follow Sato no Takarazuka and rely on her stamina for a late acceleration.
• Kitasan Black began her burst on the third turn and passed four racers to take the lead.
• Sato no Takarazuka also surged past four racers and chased Kitasan Black down the final straight.
• Kitasan Black won by a quarter of a horse length, then celebrated with her Trainer, family, and senpais.
• Sato no Takarazuka regretted hesitating during the race and left the track determined not to hesitate next time.

After Kitasan Black’s race, Anjing Zhen and Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka went to the infirmary, where they learned she had been cleared and gone to the Rest Hall. They found her singing “Matsuri” with her grandfather, Saburo Kitajima, and the chapter ended as Anjing Zhen reflected on Kitajima’s long, hard-earned career.

• Anjing Zhen, Daiwa Scarlet, and Vodka hurried to the infirmary after Kitasan Black’s demanding race.
• Sato no Takarazuka told them Kitasan Black was in excellent health and had gone to the Rest Hall after taking a phone call.
• The three heard Kitasan Black singing “Matsuri” with her grandfather, Saburo Kitajima, at the Rest Hall.
• Anjing Zhen recognized Kitajima and recalled the singer’s account of persevering through years of work to reach the top of Japanese music.

After Kitasan Black won her second race, her grandfather Saburo Kitajima met her trainer, Anjing Zhen, and praised the young Uma Musume. He then asked Anjing whether Little Kita could become a G1 Uma Musume.

• Anjing Zhen reflected on Kitasan Black's diligent, determined personality and realized how much she resembled her grandfather, Saburo Kitajima.
• Kitasan Black celebrated her second consecutive victory by rushing over and hugging Anjing Zhen, who joked that she was crushing his neck.
• Kitasan Black introduced Anjing Zhen to Saburo Kitajima, who explained that he had wanted to attend her earlier race but avoided drawing attention from her.
• Saburo Kitajima spoke with Anjing Zhen while Kitasan Black, Daiwa Scarlet, and Vodka went inside to prepare for the Winner's Stage.
• Saburo Kitajima asked Anjing Zhen whether Kitasan Black could become a G1 Uma Musume.

Saburo Kitajima apologized for questioning Anjing Zhen about winning a G1 and offered him support through Ono Trading Company. He decided to trust Anjing with Little Kita’s training, while asking his son to handle concerns about the hot spring and Anjing’s song discreetly.

• Saburo Kitajima explained how difficult Major Races were and said he admired Anjing Zhen’s confidence.
• Saburo Kitajima gave Anjing Zhen his business card and offered help from Ono Trading Company with Little Kita’s training.
• After leaving Anjing, Saburo Kitajima told his son that Anjing seemed composed and that he would leave Little Kita in his care.
• Saburo Kitajima told his son to avoid alarming Little Kita over the hot spring and to handle the song’s consequences without troubling the Association or Academy.

After celebrating Kitasan Black’s win at an onsen villa, Anjing Zhen learned that Vodka would become a dormitory manager and agreed to help train Kitasan Black. The chapter ended with Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet vowing to train alongside Kitasan Black and Anjing-kun.

• Anjing Zhen took Kitasan Black, Daiwa Scarlet, and Vodka to an onsen inn to celebrate Kitasan Black’s victory.
• Vodka told the group she had studied mechanical manufacturing engineering in Europe and researched ways to reduce wind resistance for Horse Girls.
• Kitasan Black asked whether Vodka could help train her, and Anjing Zhen welcomed the idea because Vodka had won the Japanese Derby as a Female Horse Girl.
• Vodka agreed to train Kitasan Black, and she and Daiwa Scarlet challenged each other to do their best alongside Kitasan Black and Anjing-kun.

Anjing Zhen adjusted his training plan to include Vodka and arranged an Imaginary Training session with her, Daiwa Scarlet, and Kitasan Black. After the seniors reassured Kitasan Black that they were glad to help her in return for her kindness, Anjing Zhen started the group run.

• Anjing Zhen revised his training plan for Vodka and scheduled an early session with the three girls.
• Anjing Zhen assigned Daiwa Scarlet to use her usual front-running style, Kitasan Black to follow her, and Vodka to practice Simulated Lag.
• Kitasan Black realized the exercise was Imaginary Training, in which runners imagined opponents alongside them.
• Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka reminded Kitasan Black how she had helped them and other seniors, including Teio-senpai, and said they wanted to support her now.
• Anjing Zhen signaled the start of the 1,800-meter side-by-side practice.

Anjing Zhen reviewed Kitasan Black’s first two races and explained how he had used her opponents’ rhythms and adaptability to guide her tactics. He warned her that the strategy would not keep working against stronger rivals and set her next goal: develop her own running style and control the race.

• Anjing Zhen asked Kitasan Black to compare the opponents and racing conditions in her Debut Race and Condition Race.
• Kitasan Black described how she changed whom she followed when the runners’ rhythms felt wrong, then accelerated to win her debut.
• Vodka marveled at Anjing Zhen’s ability to read the runners and plan for the race before it began.
• Anjing Zhen explained how Sato no Takarazuka’s adaptability made her a useful horse girl for Kitasan Black to follow during the Condition Race.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black not to rely on letting opponents dictate the pace and assigned her to develop a running style that could take control of the race.

Anjing Zhen received a drone and explained his plan to use it for filming Kitasan Black’s training. Vodka and Kitasan Black recognized the idea’s potential as Einis Fushin realized Anjing Zhen was Kitasan Black’s trainer.

• Einis Fushin delivered a package to Anjing Zhen and explained that she continued working to help support her two younger sisters.
• Anjing Zhen signed for the package and said he would skip dinner to test the equipment before training the next day.
• Kitasan Black and Vodka asked about the package, and Anjing Zhen explained that it contained a drone he hoped to use to film training from multiple angles.
• Vodka said the drone could reveal new details and might make Anjing Zhen the first trainer in Japan to use the method.
• Einis Fushin asked whether Anjing Zhen was Kitasan Black’s trainer.

At Central Treisen Academy, Kitasan Black and her friends discussed how her kindness and good fortune had brought her together with Trainer Anjing-kun, then turned to the Japanese Derby. Vodka's reaction to Daiwa Scarlet calling Kitasan Black and Anjing-kun a perfect match sparked an unexpected romantic thought in Kitasan Black.

• Einis Fushin praised Trainer Yasui, and Kitasan Black gratefully described how patiently he trained her.
• Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka said Kitasan Black's kindness had helped bring her and Anjing-kun together.
• Vodka suggested that Kitasan Black's luck might help her in the Japanese Derby, while Kitasan Black said her trainer preferred practical preparation.
• Daiwa Scarlet called Kitasan Black and Anjing-kun a perfect match, and Vodka blushed and got a nosebleed at the romantic implication.
• Kitasan Black privately wondered whether Anjing-kun might think about romance after recalling how he changed her shoes before her debut race.

After Vodka recovered from her nosebleed, Kitasan Black and her seniors saw Sato no Takarazuka looking distraught with T.M. Opera O. Vodka explained that Takarazuka’s Trainer had likely been fired by the Satomi family, leaving Kitasan Black shocked and uncertain what would happen next.

• The doctor confirmed Vodka was fine and advised her to avoid getting too excited.
• Einis Fushin agreed to help Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka deliver research materials and then prepared to leave the Academy.
• Kitasan Black spotted T.M. Opera O walking with Sato no Takarazuka, who looked as if she had been crying, but Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka stopped her from approaching.
• At a milk tea shop, Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet explained that Takarazuka was unlikely to be upset simply because she had lost a race.
• Vodka told Kitasan Black that Takarazuka’s Trainer had probably been fired by the Satomi family.

Kitasan Black learned that Satono Takarazuka’s trainer had been dismissed despite her past results, and that the trainer had never coached a racing girl to a G1 victory. She realized Takarazuka was likely grieving the loss of someone who had supported her, and suspected Anjing Zhen understood the situation but had kept it from her to spare her worry.

• Vodka explained that T.M. Opera O had once struggled to find a trainer, while Daiwa Scarlet described how even Oguri Cap’s talent had initially gone unrecognized.
• Vodka said T.M. Opera O had been supported by a trainer who was then a Trainer Academy student and later became a licensed trainer.
• Vodka revealed that none of the racing girls coached by that trainer had won a G1, helping Kitasan Black understand why the Satomi family dismissed her.
• Kitasan Black reasoned that Satono Takarazuka had been crying because her trainer had been dismissed after one failure, despite all the support she had given her.
• Kitasan Black looked toward Anjing Zhen’s apartment and concluded that he knew about the trainer’s situation but had kept quiet to avoid worrying or pressuring her.

Kitasan Black decided to help Anjing Zhen by investigating the students she would race against. Meanwhile, Anjing Zhen brought his drone to the Student Council Office to demonstrate how it could record training, and Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen watched it take flight.

• Vodka agreed that Anjing Zhen had anticipated Kitasan Black's worries and encouraged her to trust her Trainer.
• Kitasan Black resolved to help Anjing Zhen and decided to investigate her upcoming competitors without anyone noticing.
• Anjing Zhen brought his drone to the Student Council Office and explained its features to Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen.
• Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen approved a demonstration, and Anjing Zhen launched the drone through the office window.

Anjing Zhen showed Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen how a drone could film training, and they discussed its potential and problems. As McQueen brought the drone back, they spotted Kitasan Black crouching suspiciously in the bushes beside the field.

• Tokai Teio flew the drone over Central Treisen Academy while Mejiro McQueen watched its footage and learned it could reach 60 kilometers per hour.
• Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio recognized the drone's potential for filming training and asked Anjing Zhen whether he had recorded Kitasan Black.
• Anjing Zhen explained that he had not filmed yet because the prototype was noisy, had software problems, and raised privacy concerns.
• Tokai Teio considered how the Academy could address privacy concerns as Mejiro McQueen took the controller to bring the drone back.
• Mejiro McQueen spotted Kitasan Black crouching in bushes beside the field, holding a leafy branch in each hand.

Anjing Zhen watched Kitasan Black secretly study the field and discussed her upcoming opponents and weaknesses with Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen. He focused on Duramente’s powerful Final Burst and explained how he was preparing Kitasan Black to face similar runners.

• Anjing Zhen raised the drone and realized Kitasan Black was watching horse girls train, including a potential Spring Stakes opponent.
• Anjing Zhen noticed Duramente on the field and discussed her consistent Final Burst times with Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Duramente would be one of Kitasan Black’s Satsuki Sho opponents and that strong Final Burst runners challenged Kitasan Black.
• Tokai Teio described Kitasan Black as a late bloomer and said she had considered Slope Triple training but feared it would be too harsh.
• Anjing Zhen said he had been building Kitasan Black’s strength and was using her front-running practice with Daiwa Scarlet and Final Burst training with Vodka to prepare her.