Recaps

Kitasan Black led her first independent race-planning meeting, analyzing Kasamatsu Racecourse and the main opponents before recommending a late-run strategy for Almond Eye. Her teammates praised her work, and she looked to Anjing Zhen for approval.

• Anjing Zhen redirected attention to the whiteboard, and Kitasan Black helped set up the team meeting.
• Kitasan Black overcame her nerves and described the dirt track, its softer surface, and Kasamatsu Racecourse’s small, flat layout.
• Kitasan Black assessed Oguri Cap, Inari One, and Super Little Bay as major threats and recommended that Almond Eye use a late-run style to conserve stamina.
• Kitasan Black stressed that experiencing the pressure of racing top-level seniors mattered alongside winning.
• Agnes Tachyon, Daiwa Scarlet, and Kikou Misuzu praised and teased Kitasan Black, who modestly insisted she was still learning and sought Anjing Zhen’s approval.

Anjing Zhen explained how Almond Eye could respond to Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One, but Almond Eye struggled to imagine what their tactics would feel like in a race. Kitasan Black connected each tactic to their shared training, giving Almond Eye concrete sensations to draw on.

• Anjing Zhen praised Kitasan Black's analysis and described Oguri Cap's opening-phase warm-up and later tactics.
• Anjing Zhen explained Super Little Bay's steadily increasing pace and Inari One's explosive burst, asking Almond Eye to apply her training experience.
• Almond Eye admitted she understood the tactical notes but could not picture the sensations involved.
• Kitasan Black compared Oguri Cap's changes to their side-by-side acceleration practice and advised Almond Eye to hold her form and rhythm.
• Kitasan Black compared Super Little Bay's pressure to their endurance runs and Inari One's burst to their final-hundred-meter sprint drills.

Kitasan Black helped Almond Eye understand racing tactics by translating them into sensations from their shared training, and Anjing Zhen realized her guidance could fill a gap in his coaching. He prompted Kitasan Black to explain how Almond Eye should handle Kasamatsu’s local racers, and she began describing how to react to sudden moves, sharp turns, and shifting wind pressure.

• Almond Eye matched Kitasan Black’s examples to her own training and correctly understood how to unleash different kinds of acceleration during a race.
• Anjing Zhen recognized that Kitasan Black’s firsthand explanations could communicate racing sensations to Almond Eye more effectively than his own coaching.
• Anjing Zhen showed Kitasan Black and Almond Eye information about notable local opponents, including Fujimasa March and Flying to the Top.
• Anjing Zhen asked Kitasan Black to explain how Almond Eye should adapt to Kasamatsu’s tight turns and local opponents’ tactics.
• Kitasan Black advised Almond Eye to commit to the inner lane, monitor nearby rivals, and react to changes in wind pressure when opponents accelerated.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black discovered that her explanations helped Almond Eye understand race tactics, giving Kitasan a meaningful first taste of being an assistant. The team finished a brief preparation meeting and arrived at the lively Activity Race, where Almond Eye headed to warm up while the others prepared to watch from the stands.

• Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen worked together to explain tactics to Almond Eye, impressing Kikou Misuzu, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet.
• Anjing Zhen realized Kitasan Black could serve as a bridge between his tactical guidance and the Horse Girls, while Kitasan felt she had begun to understand her assistant role.
• The team discussed the track and opponents for about half an hour before Berno Light called to summon them for the Activity Race introduction.
• At the crowded training grounds, Tamamo Cross directed Almond Eye to warm up with the group and invited Anjing Zhen, Kitasan Black, and the others to the spectator seats.
• Almond Eye turned back to reassure Kitasan Black that she would do her best in the warm-up and race.

Almond Eye entered the training grounds and began warming up as Oguri Cap and the other veteran racers assessed her preparation and ability. Oguri Cap recognized Almond Eye as a serious threat and warned her friends not to let the rookie leave them far behind.

• Kitasan Black encouraged Almond Eye, who entered the training grounds and chose an open spot to warm up.
• Super Little Bay and Inari One watched Almond Eye and agreed that her fundamentals and training looked solid.
• Inari One said she planned to use the rookies as examples for her students at Ohi Treisen Academy, while Super Little Bay and Oguri Cap teased her about growing up.
• Fujimasa March praised Almond Eye's practiced warm-up and provoked some of the other senior racers into arguing about their fitness.
• Oguri Cap declared that Almond Eye would be incredible, acknowledged her respectful bow, and warned her friends to be careful not to fall far behind her.

As the carnival races began at Kasamatsu Racecourse, Tamamo Cross entertained the crowd while Fujimasa March and her friends discussed the runners. March revealed that she was more concerned about the inexperienced Almond Eye than about racing Oguri Cap again.

• Tamamo Cross gave playful commentary as the racers headed for the Starting Gate, and Berno Light worried that she was being too informal.
• Anjing Zhen watched with Kikou Misuzu and considered the carnival a chance for Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Spring and Autumn Equinox to gain experience.
• Noren Ace, Rudy Le More, and Mini Lady teased Fujimasa March about her frequent runs with Oguri Cap.
• Fujimasa March admitted she was glad to race Oguri Cap again but said Almond Eye was the runner she was more concerned about.
• Noren Ace and the others doubted Almond Eye could be strong before her debut.

At the Kasamatsu Star Invitational, the race opened at an unusually frantic pace, with several Horse Girls battling for the lead while Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One stayed near the back. Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon recognized that the opening speed was abnormally high, and the chapter left Anjing asking whether Little Kita and Little Bun’s situation had been settled.

• Fujimasa March told Noren Ace that she could not explain her concern about Oguri Cap, but asked when Oguri Cap had ever joked about something like this.
• Tamamo Cross called to the lingering racers, and Fujimasa March hurried her friends into the Starting Gate.
• At the start, Starlight Leaping and Spring Breeze Gallop surged ahead, joined by Winter Vista Dawn, Flying to the Top, and other racers in a fierce fight for position.
• Berno Light reported that Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One had all taken positions near the back of the field.
• Anjing Zhen checked his stopwatch and said the opening 200 meters had taken just over thirteen seconds; Agnes Tachyon explained that this pace was too fast for an exhibition race.
• Anjing Zhen asked Agnes Tachyon whether Little Kita and Little Bun’s side had both been settled.

Spring and Autumn Equinox warmed up for her upcoming race while Kitasan Black followed Almond Eye’s progress in another race. Almond Eye stayed with the late-runners and calmed herself by sticking to her own pace, leaving her poised to make her move.

• Agnes Tachyon watched the race and observed that Almond Eye was keeping a cool head instead of trying to beat the leading runners immediately.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox finished warming up, worried that Almond Eye might win, then returned to training after Daiwa Scarlet tossed her an energy drink.
• Tamamo Cross reported that the early leaders had fallen back and Almond Eye was running among the late-runners behind Oguri Cap and Inari One.
• Kitasan Black tracked the race through the commentary and estimated that the pack had covered 800 meters in about a minute, reassuring herself that Almond Eye’s speed was sufficient.
• Almond Eye remembered her trainer and Senior Little Kita’s advice, resisted following the fast starters, and focused on maintaining her own rhythm.

Almond Eye trusted her body and chose the outside lane to avoid the slowing runners, launching a decisive acceleration on the approach to the Third Turn. Her move surprised the crowd and impressed the spectators, while Fujimasa March recognized her exceptional ability.

• Almond Eye held back with the seniors as the early leaders tired and the field stretched out.
• As the runners entered the Third Turn, Almond Eye recalled Kitasan Black's advice and decided the outside lane suited her strength and rhythm.
• Almond Eye surged past the field on the outside, drawing cheers from Tamamo Cross, Berno Light, Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Kikou Misuzu.
• Fujimasa March watched Almond Eye's crisp acceleration and realized the junior's talent matched or surpassed that of gifted runners she had known.

Almond Eye tried to use positioning to restrict Oguri Cap and Inari One on the final stretch, but Super Little Bay and the two legends unleashed their true speed. She chased them stubbornly, yet the gap in their power and control remained overwhelming.

• Almond Eye moved into the lead after the final turn and planned to pin Oguri Cap to the Inner Lane while limiting Inari One’s options.
• Fujimasa March and Super Little Bay accelerated from behind, and Super Little Bay passed Almond Eye as she recognized the junior’s strategy.
• Super Little Bay surged toward the final-stretch battle, prompting Oguri Cap and Inari One to unleash their powerful Final Bursts.
• Tamamo Cross announced the legends’ clash as the Kasamatsu Racecourse erupted with cheers.
• Almond Eye pushed herself toward the leaders, but she could not close the chasm between her and the three seniors.

Anzu finished fourth in the race at Kasamatsu Racecourse, despite a strong final sprint, and struggled to understand why her strategy had not been enough. Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One encouraged her to gain experience, leaving her resolved to keep working hard.

• Anzu caught up with the other runners near the finish but discovered Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One had already stopped, and the scoreboard showed her in fourth place.
• Inari One praised Anzu's final sprint and told her she could become an outstanding Horse Girl.
• Super Little Bay praised Anzu's strategy but said she lacked race experience, and advised her to ask her Trainer and Kitasan Black for help understanding the result.
• Oguri Cap said Anzu would someday become a Horse Girl who conquered the world, and Anzu renewed her resolve to work hard.

Spring and Autumn Equinox won her race, and the group celebrated the end of the Kasamatsu Carnival with a bonfire party and dances. Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen shared the festival’s joyful atmosphere, then headed back to the inn with a clay bell she planned to display at the office.

• Almond Eye reassured Anjing Zhen and the others that she had recovered from her race and urged them to cheer for Spring and Autumn Equinox.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox overcame her nerves, led from the starting gate, and easily won her race.
• Inari One hosted the carnival’s bonfire party, where Oguri Cap led Kasamatsu Ondo and the crowd joined the dance.
• Kitasan Black took Anjing Zhen’s hand and danced Tracen Ondo with him as Horse Girls and visitors gathered around the bonfire.
• On the way back to the inn, Kitasan Black showed off the clay bell she had won and suggested putting it in the office when they returned to Tokyo.

Anjing Zhen and Kikou Mirei discovered that Almond Eye had left the hotel before dawn, and Anjing suspected she had gone out to train after losing the previous day. The group began searching for a suitable nearby training spot.

• Kikou Mirei asked Anjing Zhen about Kitasan Black’s upcoming races, and he explained his plan to prepare her for an overseas expedition.
• Kikou Mirei woke Anjing Zhen and told him Almond Eye was missing from the room she shared with the Horse Girls.
• Anjing Zhen reasoned that Almond Eye had probably gone out for extra training rather than vanished under suspicious circumstances.
• Anjing Zhen and Kikou Mirei joined Kitasan Black, Daiwa Scarlet, Agnes Tachyon, and Spring and Autumn Equinox at the front desk.
• Kitasan Black confirmed that Almond Eye had left early, and Agnes Tachyon asked the hotel staff about nearby places suitable for training.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black searched the racecourse for Almond Eye, who had gone out to train after the previous day’s loss. They found her running with Fujimasa March, and Anjing Zhen decided to wait and see whether the relative stranger could help Almond Eye open up.

• Agnes Tachyon divided the search, sending Daiwa Scarlet to the academy grounds and Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black to the racecourse while she went to the riverside.
• Agnes Tachyon gave Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black leafy branches to use as camouflage as they searched for Almond Eye.
• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black found Almond Eye practicing speed bursts alone on the racecourse track.
• Fujimasa March arrived, greeted Almond Eye, and invited her to run together.
• Anjing Zhen explained to Kitasan Black that Almond Eye might find it easier to share her worries with Fujimasa March because they were not close.

After losing her race, Almond Eye admitted to Fujimasa March that she felt confused, feared disappointing her Trainer and seniors, and envied Little Bun for winning. Fujimasa March shared how she had coped with repeatedly losing to Oguri Cap and told Almond Eye that envy and even hatred could fuel a runner to win.

• Anjing Zhen explained that he and Kitasan Black might be able to understand Almond Eye’s feelings, and the two hid in the bushes as Almond Eye and Fujimasa March returned from a run.
• Almond Eye told Fujimasa March that she could not understand why she lost despite following her plan and worried that her Trainer and seniors would be disappointed.
• Almond Eye confessed that she felt envious and jealous of Little Bun, who had won a race among children who had not reached Full Maturity.
• Fujimasa March recalled repeatedly losing to Oguri Cap and advised Almond Eye to focus on becoming stronger rather than obsessing over the gap between them.
• Fujimasa March said that frustration, envy, jealousy, and even hatred could help runners win, leaving Almond Eye stunned.

Fujimasa March encouraged Almond Eye to keep running despite the pain of losing, and Almond Eye left feeling she had understood something. After meeting with Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen Shen, Fujimasa left them to support Almond Eye, and they headed back determined to listen to her and help her recover.

• Fujimasa March told Almond Eye that the pain of losing could drive her to keep running, and Almond Eye thanked her before running back to her group.
• Fujimasa March spotted Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen Shen hiding in the bushes, and they admitted they had come because they were worried about Almond Eye.
• Fujimasa March told Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen Shen that they were the ones who could truly guide Almond Eye, then left to resume her training.
• Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen Shen discussed Almond Eye's thoughts and agreed to listen to her and support her recovery.
• Kitasan Black encouraged Anjing Zhen Shen and held his hand as they hurried back together to Almond Eye.

After returning from the trip to Kasamatsu and Nagoya, Kitasan Black wrote a report about guiding her juniors and reflected on her dreams. Saburo Kitajima asked her what word could represent those dreams, then began telling her about his own youth.

• Kitasan Black returned from the trip and excitedly shared its highlights with her family and friends, including Tokai Teio.
• Kitasan Black began writing a report about the assistant trip and how she could better support Anjing Zhen and her juniors.
• Saburo Kitajima read Kitasan Black's report and praised her growing maturity and sense of responsibility.
• Saburo Kitajima asked Kitasan Black about her goals, and she said she wanted to inspire exciting races, become a Hall of Fame Horse Girl, and help Anjing Zhen, Almond Eye, and Little Bun.
• Saburo Kitajima asked Kitasan Black to sum up her dreams in one word, then began telling her a bedtime story about his youth.

At Central Treisen Academy, Anjing Zhen and the others began adjusting Kitasan Black’s stride for overseas racing, and she quickly demonstrated the new running form. She then asked Anjing Zhen which single word represented all her dreams, leaving him unsure how to answer.

• Kitasan Black began the new term after helping an old lady and catching a runaway dog on her way to the Academy.
• Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet explained that Kitasan Black would practice a longer, more energy-efficient stride to prepare for overseas tracks.
• Kitasan Black tried landing on her heels and applying force in front of her body, and the trainers approved her form.
• Kitasan Black asked Anjing Zhen what single word represented all her dreams after explaining that her grandpa had asked her the same question.
• Anjing Zhen considered the question but could not find a starting point for his answer.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black considered what single keyword might capture a dream, while Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet shared their own ambitions. Kitasan Black set the question aside to train, and later joined friends for dinner as the new term kept the Trainers busy.

• Agnes Tachyon said her dream keyword was the limits of Horse Girls, while Daiwa Scarlet and Almond Eye declared that they aimed for first place.
• Agnes Tachyon told Kitasan Black not to force an answer, and Kitasan Black went to run while Anjing Zhen continued pondering the question.
• Anjing Zhen and the others recorded Kitasan Black's stride data and guided Almond Eye's pace-running drills; Kitasan Black ran alongside Mikki Rocket and arranged to eat with her afterward.
• After training, Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black and Almond Eye to go to dinner while he handled matters with Agnes Tachyon and Yamato.
• Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Mikki Rocket joined Satono Diamond, Satono Crown, and Noble Elegance for dinner, where they discussed how busy Trainers were at the start of term.

At dinner, Kitasan Black agreed to help Wanlai Zhengming prepare for the Dubai Sheema Classic and learned that the concert tickets Wanlai had given her were hard to obtain. After Noble Elegance accidentally ate a spoonful of chili sauce, she asked Kitasan Black for help with her younger sister, Kyoushou.

• The group discussed Mikki Rocket's G2 Nikkei Shinshun Hai win and Satono Crown's Kyoto Kinen victory, then Satono Crown invited Kitasan Black to practice running together.
• Kitasan Black said she had promised to help Wanlai Zhengming with adaptation training for the Dubai Sheema Classic and showed the group the concert tickets Wanlai had given her.
• Satono Diamond explained that the concert was popular and difficult to get tickets for, and Kitasan Black resolved to do her best to help Wanlai.
• Noble Elegance accidentally ate a large spoonful of chili sauce, and Kitasan Black gave her milk to ease the burning.
• Noble Elegance asked Kitasan Black for a favor involving her younger sister, Kyoushou.

Kitasan Black told her friends she would race in Japan before going overseas, then announced that she planned to enter the newly upgraded Osaka Hai. Satono Crown and Mikki Rocket revealed they would enter it too, setting up a three-way challenge.

• Noble Elegance asked Kitasan Black for help preparing for Dubai, and Kitasan Black offered advice and training runs.
• Kitasan Black reassured her friends that she would race in Japan before leaving overseas, and she recognized their desire to challenge her.
• A television report announced that the Sankei Osaka Hai would become a G1 race that year.
• Kitasan Black announced that the Osaka Hai would be her next race, and Satono Crown revealed she planned to compete against her.
• Mikki Rocket nervously announced she would enter the Osaka Hai and asked Kitasan Black to teach her.

Anjing Zhen reviewed Kitasan Black's Running Style adjustments and Almond Eye's developing training plan, while deciding to protect Almond Eye's focus by declining premature commercial offers. Almond Eye agreed, and Anjing Zhen returned to his paperwork before someone familiar entered the office.

• Anjing Zhen presented Kitasan Black's training data and outlined plans to test other paces, slopes, and curves.
• Anjing Zhen and the team reviewed Almond Eye's development and planned training to strengthen her endurance and basic speed.
• Anjing Zhen considered the demands of managing both Horse Girls and the media and business interest in Almond Eye.
• Anjing Zhen told Almond Eye about the interview and endorsement offers and explained his concerns about distracting her from training.
• Almond Eye declined the offers and told Anjing Zhen to handle outside matters while she prepared for her Debut Race.
• Anjing Zhen resumed his paperwork, and a familiar person entered the office.

Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen she felt confident facing strong rivals but remained worried that Almond Eye might be hiding lingering feelings after Kasamatsu. After agreeing to keep an eye on Almond Eye, Anjing Zhen called his mother, Kikou Mirei, to ask for advice about handling the Horse Girls' psychological concerns.

• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen she felt excited and confident when facing rivals, but worried Almond Eye might be concealing something despite seeming happy and training hard.
• Anjing Zhen agreed to monitor Almond Eye's training and emotions without putting unnecessary pressure on her.
• Kitasan Black thanked Anjing Zhen, then hurried off and left him to finish his paperwork.
• After working late, Anjing Zhen called Kikou Mirei and admitted he was unsure how to handle the Horse Girls' psychological issues.
• Kikou Mirei listened patiently and told Anjing Zhen that his concern showed he had grown up.

Anjing Zhen asked his mother, Kikou Mirei, how to help Almond Eye, and she suggested involving her in training-related tasks so they could communicate more naturally. The next morning, Daiwa Scarlet warned that copying Kitasan Black’s duties might put pressure on Almond Eye, leaving Anjing Zhen to reconsider his approach.

• Kikou Mirei advised Anjing Zhen to discuss racing mentality with Almond Eye and give her manageable tasks that would help her feel trusted and involved.
• Anjing Zhen thanked Kikou Mirei and told her he loved her before abruptly ending the call.
• Anjing Zhen told Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet that he planned to have Almond Eye organize opponent data and keep training logs.
• Agnes Tachyon accepted the idea, but Daiwa Scarlet warned that Almond Eye might feel pressured if the tasks did not suit her strengths.
• Anjing Zhen realized his proposed solution might reflect his own habits rather than Almond Eye’s needs and felt self-reproachful.

Daiwa Scarlet suggested that Anjing Zhen turn Almond Eye’s opponent research into a playful undercover assignment, and he agreed it could help him understand her perspective as well as aid their preparations for the Osaka Hai. Agnes Tachyon then offered experimental disguise agents, leaving Anjing Zhen and Daiwa Scarlet alarmed about her proposal.

• Daiwa Scarlet told Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon how Teio had once investigated Arima Kinen competitors in disguise and suggested Almond Eye do similar research on her Osaka Hai opponents.
• Anjing Zhen reconsidered his focus on data and training plans, recognized the value of Almond Eye’s own observations, and decided to announce the assignment at the review meeting.
• Agnes Tachyon became excited about the espionage game and proposed improving Almond Eye’s disguise so she would not be exposed.
• Agnes Tachyon produced experimental agents that could change hair and eye color, prompting Anjing Zhen and Daiwa Scarlet to question how she had developed them.