Recaps

Gold Ship struggled to enter the starting gate before her old Trainer calmed her, and she prepared to race the Tenno Sho Spring. As the gates opened, she focused on the track and thought of her friends, sweets, and the race ahead.

• Vodka told Anjing Zhen that Almond Eye showed more sharpness on the track than Kitasan Black, and Anjing Zhen recognized the difference.
• Gold Ship refused to enter the starting gate, kicked the railing, and alarmed Gold Artisan, Nakayama Celebration, and Dream Journey.
• Gold Ship calmed when her old Trainer approached, put on a hood, and walked to the gate, while Dream Journey worried about her starting from Gate 1 and missing the start again.
• Inside the gate, Gold Ship fought distraction and restlessness by recalling her old Trainer, her friends, and the advice she had received to avoid jumping the gun.
• The starting lock clicked, and Gold Ship shifted forward as the Tenno Sho Spring began.

Gold Ship raced at the back of the field while secretly shifting toward the outside, preserving the others’ mistaken belief that she was simply running from behind. As the pack entered the stretch, the crowd and the juniors realized she had changed lanes, while the seniors had apparently expected it.

• Galloping Thunderclap took the early lead, Adroit Labyrinth passed Phantom Gale, and Gold Ship and Great Kindness settled at the back.
• Kitasan Black and Anzu excitedly anticipated Gold Ship’s late-closing run, while Anzu noticed the seniors seemed thoughtful about her position.
• Gold Ship studied the runners ahead, then moved sideways along the boundary between the third and fourth lanes without being noticed.
• The commentator reported Gold Ship still at the back as the pack entered the straight, then suddenly announced that she had moved to the Outside Lane.
• Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and the other juniors reacted with surprise, while Anjing Zhen, Special Week, Dream Journey, and Nakayama Celebration appeared unsurprised; Gold Artisan criticized Gold Ship.

Gold Ship surged from the back of the field to win the Tenno Sho Spring after three attempts. After crossing the finish line, she celebrated with the elderly man and the black-haired Horse Girl waiting for her.

• Gold Ship charged up the outside and reached fourth as the runners entered the final straight.
• Gold Ship overtook Adroit Labyrinth and held off Fame Game to win the Tenno Sho Spring.
• Gold Ship realized she had crossed the finish line and saw her name on the display board.
• Gold Ship celebrated, then rushed toward the elderly man and the black-haired Horse Girl waiting beyond the finish line.
• The black-haired Horse Girl carried the elderly man out of Gold Ship's path as Gold Ship laughed and declared that she had won.

After the Tenno Sho Spring performance, Kitasan Black wondered whether she could surpass Tokai Teio, and Little Anzu encouraged her by sharing her own ambitions. Kitasan then chased after Koushou Hayate, who was leaving to see her elder sister and the others.

• Kitasan Black declared that she hoped to sing at the Tenno Sho Spring next year and win its trophy, surpassing Tokai Teio a little.
• Daiwa Scarlet told Kitasan that Teio hoped she would surpass her and the seniors who came before her.
• Little Anzu held Kitasan’s hand and shared that her family hoped she would become a Horse Girl who surpassed the seniors.
• Anjing Zhen and Gold Artisan left the stands, and Koushou Hayate hurried toward the exit.
• Kitasan followed Koushou, who said she was going back to see her elder sister and the others.

Koushou Hayate awkwardly thanked Kitasan Black before leaving, prompting Anjing Zhen to wonder if she was socially anxious. The next morning, Kitasan Black eagerly began training, but Anjing Zhen kept her on Wall Running because she had not yet mastered its requirements.

• Koushou Hayate declined Kitasan Black’s invitation to watch the show and attend Gold Ship’s celebration, then ran off after thanking her.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black that the training race with Gold Artisan had been moved to next weekend and reminded her to train properly.
• Kitasan Black arrived early at the training grounds, eager to practice after waking up refreshed.
• Anjing Zhen brought Kitasan Black back to Wall Running, explaining that her long distance alone did not mean she had mastered the technique.

Anjing Zhen prepared Kitasan Black for dangerous wall-running training designed to mimic the Japanese Derby’s uneven slopes. After explaining the course’s elevation changes, he began testing her ability to reach and hold a height of 1.9 meters, leaving her to try again after her first attempt ended in a fall.

• Anjing Zhen equipped Kitasan Black with protective gear and set up an inflated crash mat beside the wall.
• Anjing Zhen explained how the Japanese Derby’s repeated climbs and descents challenged a runner’s explosive power, endurance, and rhythm.
• Kitasan Black understood how wall-running practice could prepare her for the racecourse’s slopes and agreed to begin training.
• Anjing Zhen set a 1.9-meter target and instructed Kitasan Black to reach it quickly and maintain her height.
• Kitasan Black missed the target, lost control, and fell onto the crash mat, after which Anjing Zhen advised her to adjust her foot angle and engage her ankle sooner.

Anjing Zhen checked Kitasan Black for injuries after her fall, and she reflected that he had become more relaxed and approachable. After training, Special Week offered another experienced runner to help Kitasan Black prepare for the Japanese Derby, and Anjing Zhen revealed that the Horse Girl was Grass Wonder.

• Anjing Zhen examined Kitasan Black's wrist and hand and found no sign of injury after her fall.
• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen she liked how he had begun joking around, then eagerly resumed training.
• During the following days, Anjing Zhen reflected that shared interests had made him feel closer to Kitasan Black and better able to understand her.
• Special Week messaged Anjing Zhen to offer the help of a friend who had come to Tokyo and was preparing for the Summer Dream Trophy.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black that Special Week's friend was Grass Wonder.

Anjing Zhen met Grass Wonder at Central Treisen Academy's cafeteria and noticed calluses on her hand that suggested extensive kendo practice. As he discussed plans for her practice race with Kitasan Black, he learned that Grass Wonder's apparent ability to chase down opponents mainly surfaced when she raced against Special Week.

• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black met Special Week and her friend Grass Wonder at the cafeteria.
• Anjing Zhen noticed unusual calluses on Grass Wonder's hand and inferred that she had practiced practical kendo for a long time.
• Anjing Zhen considered Grass Wonder's racing record and strong Final Burst while thinking about how she could help Kitasan Black prepare.
• Anjing Zhen outlined the Saturday practice race on the woodchip track and asked Grass Wonder to help Kitasan Black train at chasing opponents.
• Special Week and Grass Wonder explained that Grass Wonder only seemed faster when racing against Special Week.

Anjing Zhen prepared a training race for Kitasan Black and the other Horse Girls, confirming Grass Wonder’s condition before choosing her role. The setup was nearly complete when Gold Ship arrived pulling a Starting Gate with help from Daiwa Scarlet and Silent Suzuka.

• Anjing Zhen suspected Grass Wonder’s past victories over Special Week had involved an unusual boost, but Grass Wonder agreed to let him assess her condition before deciding on a chasing strategy.
• Kitasan Black warmed up on the woodchip track while Special Week, Grass Wonder, and Vodka reacclimated to its surface, and Deep Impact and Gold Artisan trained nearby.
• Anjing Zhen set up sensors, a drone, and a loudspeaker for the training race while the stands remained nearly empty.
• Gold Ship dragged a Starting Gate to the field with a rope around her waist, while Daiwa Scarlet and Silent Suzuka pushed it from behind.
• Special Week and Vodka questioned why Silent Suzuka and Daiwa Scarlet were helping Gold Ship, and Gold Ship explained that none of them had a driver’s license.

Anjing Zhen started a 2,400-meter practice race, and Kitasan Black took the lead while Deep Impact and Gold Artisan missed the gate. Kitasan Black accelerated to shake off the pressure from her seniors, but Deep Impact suddenly appeared beside her on the opening stretch.

• The Horse Girls moved the Starting Gate into position, warmed up, and entered it as Anjing Zhen prepared the practice race.
• Kitasan Black burst from the gate and took the lead, while Special Week, Grass Wonder, and Vodka followed close behind.
• Deep Impact and Gold Artisan missed the start, prompting Gold Ship and the others to comment on their gate trouble.
• Kitasan Black adjusted her pace and accelerated to discourage the seniors behind her from pressuring her for the lead.
• Deep Impact appeared at Kitasan Black's outer side on the opening stretch, startling her.

Deep Impact surged past Kitasan Black before the first turn, disrupting her planned rhythm and forcing her to accelerate to reclaim the lead. As the observers recognized the challenge, Anjing Zhen saw the unexpected tactic as useful preparation for the Japanese Derby.

• Deep Impact made a powerful early acceleration and overtook Kitasan Black just before the first turn.
• Kitasan Black panicked at Deep Impact’s pace, then tightened her breathing and increased her stride frequency to try to retake the lead.
• Silent Suzuka and Gold Ship worried that Deep Impact had disrupted Kitasan Black’s rhythm.
• Daiwa Scarlet pointed out that Kitasan Black had been careless to expect familiar rivals to cooperate with her usual front-running plan.
• Silent Suzuka explained that Deep Impact and Gold Artisan would not hold back just because they were training alongside Kitasan Black.
• Anjing Zhen watched without intervening and considered Deep Impact’s unexpected tactic valuable preparation for the uncertainties of the Japanese Derby.

During a training race, Kitasan Black struggled to keep pace with Deep Impact until Gold Artisan surged past them and challenged her to run seriously. Deep Impact sensed a terrifying presence closing in from behind and recognized the approaching Horse Girl as Senior Grass Wonder.

• Deep Impact maintained a steady lead through the early turns, leaving Kitasan Black unable to catch her despite her training and efforts.
• Gold Artisan charged forward from the back of the field and overtook Deep Impact on the outside.
• Kitasan Black snapped out of her daze and drove after the two seniors with an intense, unusual running form.
• Gold Artisan and Deep Impact praised Kitasan Black's renewed determination as she pursued them.
• Deep Impact felt a powerful presence approaching from behind and identified the Horse Girl as Senior Grass Wonder.

After a training race in which Kitasan Black experienced the Zone under intense pressure, Anjing Zhen took the exhausted Horse Girls to a hot spring to recover. Deep Impact questioned Kitasan Black about her unwillingness and regret, then warned her that the Japanese Derby would bring opponents willing to risk everything for victory.

• Anjing Zhen and the others checked the Horse Girls for injuries, returned borrowed equipment, and took them to a hot spring inn to recuperate.
• Kitasan Black brought Deep Impact fruit and asked whether she disliked interacting with people, recalling that she had wanted to meet her before.
• Deep Impact asked what Kitasan Black had thought on the Final Bend, and Kitasan Black admitted she felt unwillingness and regret.
• Kitasan Black said she feared shrinking back against Deep Impact at the Japanese Derby would cost her victory, and Deep Impact replied that formidable opponents were inevitable.
• Deep Impact described the Japanese Derby’s history and demanding pace, explaining that many runners risked their lives to become the Derby Horse Girl.

Kitasan Black wrestled with Deep Impact’s warnings about the Zone and whether she truly wanted to risk everything for victory. After walking into a tree while distracted, she and Anjing Zhen shared a tender, awkward moment before he suggested she rest and talk tomorrow.

• Kitasan Black recalled Deep Impact’s words about her declining prime, the dangers of the Zone, and the determination it required.
• Anjing Zhen warned Kitasan Black that she was about to walk into a tree, but she struck its trunk before she could react.
• Anjing Zhen checked the red mark on Kitasan Black’s forehead, and she accidentally gripped his wrist hard enough to leave finger marks.
• Kitasan Black examined Anjing Zhen’s wrist and felt unsettled by the closeness between them.
• Anjing Zhen tapped Kitasan Black’s temple and told her to rest, saying they could talk the next day.

Anjing Zhen continued Kitasan Black’s Japanese Derby preparation and devised unstable-chair training to help her face the fear associated with entering the Zone. After the first sudden jolt made her recognize the sensation, Kitasan Black chose to sit again and asked him to continue.

• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen she trusted him to handle the risks of winning, and he assigned her further slope and technique training for the Japanese Derby.
• That evening, Anjing Zhen set up an unstable chair in the Dance Hall and explained that the exercise was special training for the Zone.
• Kitasan Black sat cross-legged on the chair, and Anjing Zhen triggered a sudden sensation that she recognized as a domain.
• Anjing Zhen explained that he could not teach her to master the Zone but could help her face fear through simulated falling.
• Kitasan Black reconsidered her past experiences, reset the chair, and asked Anjing Zhen to repeat the training.

Kitasan Black dreamed that she ran alongside Tokai Teio as Teio won the Japanese Derby, then woke in the dorm room with Satono Diamond. Realizing her own Japanese Derby was only two days away, Kitasan Black decided to get up early and train.

• During wall-running practice in her dream, Kitasan Black found herself racing beside Tokai Teio at the Japanese Derby.
• Kitasan Black watched Tokai Teio surge past the other racers and win the Derby, then woke when Satono Diamond called to her.
• Satono Diamond helped Kitasan Black up and explained that her dream reflected her thoughts about the race approaching in two days.
• Kitasan Black sprang out of bed, declared she was going to train, and began changing for the morning workout.

As the Japanese Derby approached, Kitasan Black focused on her training and prepared to stick to her own rhythm despite the race’s many uncertainties. After Anjing Zhen finished her race briefing, Tokai Teio and the other seniors gathered to cheer her on, and Kitasan Black vowed to give the race everything she had.

• Kitasan Black considered the hard work of her rivals and resolved to train and rest properly instead of dwelling on what-ifs.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black to remain unchanged in the face of every change and warned her not to imitate Deep Impact’s running style.
• Anjing Zhen explained that the Derby’s slopes, especially the uphill stretch before the Final Straight, were key variables, and continued briefing Kitasan Black until nearly three o’clock.
• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black left the Preparation Room for the Introduction Segment, where Tokai Teio and the other seniors cheered her on.
• Kitasan Black thanked the seniors and promised to give the Japanese Derby everything she had.

Kitasan Black entered the Japanese Derby focused on keeping her own rhythm despite the pressure and the strong field. From the outside gate, she charged forward instead of cutting inside, but Silent Suzuka noticed she did not seem to be aiming for the lead.

• Kitasan Black recalled how Tokai Teio, Special Week, and Vodka had approached the Japanese Derby and resolved to keep her own rhythm.
• Kitasan Black stepped onto the turf, saw Anjing Zhen and her seniors cheering, and walked toward the starting gate.
• At the 15:35 start, Kitasan Black launched quickly from gate 17 and assessed the runners beside her.
• Kitasan Black abandoned the crowded inside route and charged forward from the outside as Ribbon Keiko took the lead.
• Daiwa Scarlet praised Kitasan Black's start, while Silent Suzuka wondered why she did not seem to be trying to take the lead.

Kitasan Black used her Extreme Skills training to negotiate the Japanese Derby’s sloped turns and surge into the lead. Deep Impact watched her take first place and told her elder sister that she had been right about Kitasan Black.

• Kitasan Black broke away from the crowded inside at the start and entered the first turn in third place.
• Kitasan Black used her trained techniques to accelerate around the sloped turn, then dropped back to fifth or sixth after running wide.
• Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen reassured Gold Ship that Kitasan Black was keeping her pace and might still take the lead.
• Kitasan Black accelerated on the next uphill stretch, passed the runners ahead, and seized first place.
• Deep Impact praised Kitasan Black to the person beside her and asked her elder sister to acknowledge that she had been right.

Kitasan Black led the Japanese Derby into the final straight after conserving stamina and surging through the turns. As the finish approached, Duramente and the other pursuers closed in, leaving the race unresolved.

• Deep Impact discussed Kitasan Black’s racing instincts with her elder sister and urged Kitasan Black to understand that she had to fight herself.
• Kitasan Black entered the Third Turn and widened her lead with her cornering technique.
• The pursuing group chased Kitasan Black through the turn as the race reached the final bend.
• Kitasan Black unleashed her conserved stamina and accelerated up Fuchu’s final uphill stretch.
• Satono Crown, Sato no Takarazuka, Futanari Shingang, and Duramente advanced on Kitasan Black in the final 300 meters.
• Duramente broke free from the pack and drew within two horse lengths of Kitasan Black as the final 100 meters began.

Kitasan Black lost a record-breaking Japanese Derby to Duramente after the two battled to the finish. When Duramente collapsed after the race, Kitasan Black helped her up, and the rivals promised to keep competing in future races.

• Duramente caught Kitasan Black in the final stretch, and Kitasan Black pushed through her exhaustion to keep running.
• Duramente won the Japanese Derby in 2 minutes 23 seconds, while Kitasan Black finished in 2 minutes 23.1 seconds, both setting times faster than the previous record.
• Kitasan Black accepted her defeat and ran to check on Duramente, who had collapsed and was trembling uncontrollably.
• Duramente told Kitasan Black to keep going in the next race, and Kitasan Black promised not to admit defeat easily.
• Duramente vowed she would not run away and told Kitasan Black their battle had only just begun.

After the Japanese Derby, Satono Crown struggled to understand how Kitasan Black and Duramente had produced such astonishing performances, while Sato no Takarazuka resolved to beat them both. Duramente realized she wanted to keep racing alongside Kitasan Black, but left that thought unsaid as they headed toward the stands.

• Satono Crown saw that Sato no Takarazuka had finished third and she had finished fourth, and Takarazuka said she wanted to beat Kitasan Black and now Duramente too.
• Satono Crown reflected on how her plan had worked and wondered how Kitasan Black had kept running and how Duramente had broken free to catch her.
• Satono Crown heard Kitasan Black invite everyone to keep going together next time and silently accepted the challenge of beating both rivals.
• Duramente recalled her earlier encounters with Kitasan Black and realized she wanted to ask her to continue racing with her.
• Duramente almost voiced her wish to Kitasan Black but said nothing when Kitasan Black asked if she had spoken.

After Kitasan Black lost the Derby, the Horse Girls discussed how she might handle the defeat and decided it was not yet their place to comfort her. Anjing Zhen thanked them for worrying about him and headed to the Infirmary to see Kitasan Black.

• Gold Ship and Vodka worried about what to say to Kitasan Black after her loss, while Daiwa Scarlet said she should run away even faster next time.
• Silent Suzuka and Tokai Teio explained that Kitasan Black had pushed her speed and race strategy to their limits, and Tokai Teio said it was not yet their turn to speak to her.
• Anjing Zhen watched Kitasan Black wave to the crowd and leave the track, then prepared to go check on her.
• Daiwa Scarlet, Gold Ship, Special Week, Silent Suzuka, Vodka, Tokai Teio, and Mejiro McQueen tried to comfort Anjing Zhen by praising Kitasan Black's effort and record-breaking time.
• Anjing Zhen reflected on accepting defeat and winning it back through competition, then thanked the Horse Girls and invited them to accompany him to the Infirmary.

After Kitasan Black’s disappointing race, Anjing Zhen met her outside the infirmary and followed her toward the lounge. She asked him to keep guiding her through their future races, and they reaffirmed their partnership.

• Tokai Teio told Anjing Zhen to visit Kitasan Black alone, and she later suggested discussing overseas races with him and Little Kita.
• Anjing Zhen found Kitasan Black leaving the infirmary and asked whether her examination had found anything wrong.
• Kitasan Black followed Anjing Zhen toward the lounge, then asked him not to turn around as she hugged him from behind.
• Kitasan Black asked whether they would keep racing together, and Anjing Zhen promised they would aim to win back any losses.
• Kitasan Black faced Anjing Zhen and asked him to continue taking care of her, and he agreed.

Kitasan Black arrived at Mount Mitou for a summer training camp with Anjing Zhen, where they planned endurance training for the Kikuka Sho. Anjing Zhen revealed that they would carry mountain bikes up the first part of the mountain before riding them later.

• Kitasan Black arrived at Mount Mitou and reassured her grandfather, Saburo Kitajima, that Anjing Zhen was helping with her luggage.
• Anjing Zhen arrived in a small truck and teased Kitasan Black about the huge backpack full of bananas and her childhood encounter with monkeys.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Mount Mitou offered suitable roads, trails, and facilities for training Kitasan Black's endurance for the Kikuka Sho.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black they would carry their mountain bikes up the first half of the mountain and ride them for the second half.