Recaps

Anjing Zhen began overload training with Kitasan Black to prepare her stamina and judgment for the Kikuka Sho, explaining how fatigue training would be monitored and adjusted to her limits. He joined her on the mountain route, and Kitasan Black challenged him to race to Cloud Sea Inn.

• Anjing Zhen explained that long-distance racing tested a runner’s ability to judge the race while exhausted, and Kitasan Black recalled the strain she had felt in past races.
• Anjing Zhen equipped Kitasan Black with protective gear and a weighted mountain bike, then began the climb and explained the overload training plan.
• Anjing Zhen described how fatigue, recovery, and supercompensation could improve endurance, and said Kitasan Black’s load would be adjusted based on monitoring and testing.
• Kitasan Black asked why Anjing Zhen was carrying a bicycle, and he explained that he wanted to train alongside her, especially in Extreme Skills.
• Kitasan Black challenged Anjing Zhen to race her to Cloud Sea Inn.

Anjing Zhen led Kitasan Black through her first overload training session, coaching her to refine her running form and stamina efficiency. Afterward, Kitasan Black learned about his past in Extreme Skills and called him a genius, leaving him quietly moved by her praise.

• Anjing Zhen explained that the truck’s drone was recording Kitasan Black’s training and told her to treat their mountain run as serious practice.
• Anjing Zhen coached Kitasan Black through five kilometers of overload training, having her carry a bicycle for the first half and ride it for the second.
• Kitasan Black finished exhausted and told Anjing Zhen that the training was harder than racing at every racecourse combined.
• Anjing Zhen explained that his experience with special training came from his time in an Extreme Skills club and recalled a difficult Hard-Line Deceleration competition.
• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen that she thought he was amazing and a real genius.

After Kitasan Black completed her first demanding mountain training session, she rested at Unkai-so Onsen Ryokan and was surprised when Silent Suzuka arrived to join her training camp. The chapter ended with Kitasan meeting Rice Shower, who had come at McQueen’s request.

• Anjing Zhen sent the tired Kitasan Black to receive therapy at Unkai-so Onsen Ryokan while he handled their luggage.
• Kitasan Black slept for several hours in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, then hurried to meet Anjing Zhen.
• Kitasan Black found Silent Suzuka in Anjing Zhen’s room and learned that Suzuka had come to train with her after Special Week began beach training.
• Kitasan Black reflected on her studies and her interest in extreme sports before noticing another Horse Girl in the room.
• The Horse Girl introduced herself as Rice Shower and said McQueen had asked her to come.

Kitasan Black met Silent Suzuka and Rice Shower at the hot spring inn, while Rice Shower explained why she had agreed to help with the juniors’ races. Anjing Zhen then scolded Kitasan Black for neglecting the training camp plan, and they agreed to start training the next day.

• Anjing Zhen showed Silent Suzuka and Rice Shower their room, and Kitasan Black greeted both seniors enthusiastically.
• Silent Suzuka and Rice Shower discussed Kitasan Black, Mejiro McQueen’s request, and Rice Shower’s desire to help juniors run races that made everyone happy.
• Anjing Zhen discovered that Kitasan Black had barely read the training plan and explained that she should have known Rice Shower and Silent Suzuka were coming to help train her.
• Kitasan Black tried to rush back and apologize to Rice Shower, but Anjing Zhen stopped her, saying it could make Rice Shower more uncomfortable.
• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black agreed to eat, rest, and begin training the next day.

Anjing Zhen reviewed Kitasan Black’s progress after half a month of special training and decided she was ready to advance to the next stage. After Kitasan Black stopped him from revealing her weight, he arranged a side-by-side run and hurried with her to meet two senior trainees.

• Anjing Zhen reviewed Kitasan Black’s medical report and confirmed that her physical tests had improved enough to finish the first week’s objectives in half the planned time.
• Kitasan Black asked whether she could move on to the next training phase and whether she could add fried chicken to her restricted diet.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Kitasan Black’s squat had reached half a ton, her leg press 1.5 tons, and her body fat remained a little above twelve percent.
• Anjing Zhen began to disclose Kitasan Black’s current weight, but Kitasan Black covered his mouth and warned him not to talk about a girl’s weight.
• Anjing Zhen agreed to keep her weight private, then arranged a side-by-side run and urged Kitasan Black to hurry so they would not keep two senior trainees waiting.

Anjing Zhen and Silent Suzuka watched Kitasan Black run with Rice Shower and discussed whether Little Kita could use a Great Escape to counter Rice Shower’s close marking. Silent Suzuka reconsidered her earlier opposition to the tactic and decided Kitasan Black might be able to use some Great Escape techniques.

• Kitasan Black and Rice Shower ran a paired long-distance session, with Rice Shower staying close behind her.
• Anjing Zhen noted Rice Shower’s exceptional focus, and Silent Suzuka explained how unusual her close marking was.
• Anjing Zhen asked whether Kitasan Black could open a lead of more than ten Horse Lengths, and Silent Suzuka considered the risks and possible benefits of a Great Escape.
• Silent Suzuka concluded that Kitasan Black might be able to use Great Escape techniques if the starting conditions were right, then return to her usual leading style if needed.
• Kitasan Black praised Rice Shower for being impossible to shake off, while Rice Shower modestly said she had only chased normally.

Kitasan Black struggled with Rice Shower’s close-marking during training, which drained her stamina, while Anjing Zhen considered how to help. Silent Suzuka proposed teaching Kitasan Black techniques for explosive acceleration, then demonstrated a low, powerful starting form.

• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen that Rice Shower’s close pursuit still distracted her and rapidly exhausted her.
• Anjing Zhen noted Kitasan Black’s concerns and directed her to rest before the next session with Silent Suzuka.
• Silent Suzuka suggested teaching Kitasan Black some Great Escape techniques, while explaining that Kitasan Black was not suited to a pure Great Escape.
• Silent Suzuka demonstrated a low posture and extended rear-leg position to show how Kitasan Black could gain speed through a powerful first step.

Kitasan Black continued learning Great Escape from Silent Suzuka, while Anjing Zhen explained how her natural strength compensated for her slower rise in heart rate. The chapter ended with Anjing revealing that Kitasan Black's next race would be the Saint Lite Kinen on September 21st.

• Kitasan Black spent the week practicing Silent Suzuka's Great Escape techniques and asking Suzuka and Anjing Zhen how to enter a high-speed state from the start.
• Silent Suzuka recalled how she had found her own free-running style and explained that Kitasan Black did not need to run exactly like her.
• Anjing Zhen showed data indicating that Kitasan Black's starting speed had improved, though she reached a high heart rate more slowly than Suzuka.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Kitasan Black's greater natural strength and energy conversion efficiency partly made up for the difference.
• Anjing Zhen told Suzuka that Kitasan Black's next race was the Saint Lite Kinen on September 21st.

Anjing Zhen explained how the Saint Lite Kinen would serve as a rehearsal for Kitasan Black’s Kikuka Sho campaign, including testing her tactics and running style. After discussing the challenge of using a Great Escape over a long distance, he proposed easing up on special training and taking her to watch a race.

• Anjing Zhen explained why the Saint Lite Kinen was a useful rehearsal for the Kikuka Sho despite its differences in distance and course.
• Kitasan Black realized she had forgotten the Saint Lite Kinen and apologized, while Anjing Zhen reassured her that her training had remained serious.
• Kitasan Black asked whether Anjing Zhen wanted her to use a Great Escape in the Kikuka Sho, and Rice Shower voiced concern about the strategy’s difficulty.
• Anjing Zhen explained that he wanted Kitasan Black to broaden her front-running techniques, with help from Silent Suzuka and Rice Shower, rather than force her to use one style.
• Rice Shower and Kitasan Black agreed to keep working on the plan, and Anjing Zhen suggested they relax by watching a race that week.

Kitasan Black and her companions returned to Tokyo for the Summer Dream Trophy, where she eagerly read about the renowned seniors competing. She learned that Gold Ship’s eldest sister, Gold Journey, had been invited, and began wondering about her past races against Silent Suzuka.

• Kitasan Black excitedly admired the Dream Cup promotions on the subway until Silent Suzuka reminded her to sit properly and mind the other passengers.
• Rice Shower lent Kitasan Black a free promotional booklet, which she eagerly read on the way to the hotel.
• Kitasan Black recalled Gold Ship’s disastrous Takarazuka Kinen start, her fifteenth-place finish, and the lack of consequences despite reported losses of 12.1 billion yen.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Gold Journey, Gold Ship’s eldest sister, was invited to the Summer Dream Trophy as part of its Golden Generation promotion.
• Kitasan Black wondered whether Silent Suzuka had raced against Gold Journey, then stopped awkwardly before finishing her thought.

Silent Suzuka and Rice Shower comforted Kitasan Black and reflected on their post-racing careers, then Suzuka explained Stay Gold’s long struggle to win a G1. Kitasan Black realized how formidable Journey’s generation was and learned that Journey would face a difficult challenge in the Dream Cup.

• Silent Suzuka reassured Kitasan Black that her past injury was behind her, and Rice Shower shared how her own injury inspired her to become a nutritionist.
• Silent Suzuka recalled Stay Gold’s strong ability, her near-win in the Tenno Sho Autumn, and her eventual G1 HK Vase victory after five years of racing.
• Kitasan Black considered whether she could persist for years without a G1 win and began to understand the hardship behind brief career summaries.
• Kitasan Black asked whether Journey could win the Dream Cup against her contemporaries, and Silent Suzuka listed the formidable rivals and said it would be difficult.

On the way to the Dream Cup, Kitasan Black learned that the retired runners’ preparations varied, so the race’s outcome was hard to predict. At the racecourse, she reunited with Anzu and, after noticing her growth, Anjing Zhen and the others concluded that Anzu was beginning Full Maturity.

• Silent Suzuka explained to Kitasan Black that the Dream Cup was difficult to predict because the retired participants had maintained different levels of training.
• Kitasan Black and her companions arrived at Fuchu Station and headed to the racecourse to meet Anzu.
• Kitasan Black reunited with Anzu and noticed that she had grown taller since they last met.
• Anzu said she had been eating more and growing taller, prompting Anjing Zhen and the others to suspect she was entering Full Maturity.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Full Maturity would bring a dramatic increase in Anzu’s running ability.

Anjing Zhen considered Almond Eye’s potential for longer races while Duramente secretly came to watch the Dream Cup after arguing with her family about entering the Kikuka Sho. Kitasan Black struggled with Duramente’s choice to change her goals for their promise, and Anjing Zhen suggested they watch the race while he considered what to do next.

• Anjing Zhen judged that Almond Eye’s stride and Final Burst suggested she was better suited to races longer than 1200 meters.
• Duramente approached Kitasan Black in disguise, revealed herself, and asked to speak somewhere private.
• Duramente told Kitasan Black that she had argued with her family over entering the Kikuka Sho and had secretly come to watch the Dream Cup.
• Kitasan Black worried that Duramente was giving up on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe because of their promise, and looked to Anjing Zhen for help.
• Anjing Zhen recalled Symboli Rudolf’s message asking him to keep Duramente from running off, then suggested Duramente rest and watch the race.

Anjing Zhen reflected on how he and Kitasan Black had begun challenging their limits together and considered Duramente’s possible future injury. As the Dream Cup approached, he named three contestants Kitasan Black should study, emphasizing the importance of learning from long-distance runners.

• Anjing Zhen recalled that Duramente might suffer a fracture after the Japanese Derby and resolved that he did not want her injured in this timeline.
• Anjing Zhen realized he had shifted from merely coaching Kitasan Black to genuinely seeking to challenge their limits together, and he believed their earlier victory over Duramente supported his approach.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black he could not predict the Dream Cup winner but advised her to watch Machikane Fukukitaru, Seiun Sky, and Mejiro Komei.
• Anjing Zhen explained Mejiro Komei’s long-distance accomplishments and asked Almond Eye whether she could manage another 1,200 meters after a 2,400-meter race.
• Anjing Zhen urged the Horse Girls to learn from the Dream Cup contestants while joking that they should not imitate Mejiro Komei’s slow reactions.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black watched the Summer Dream Trophy begin, with Seiun Sky taking the lead and Mejiro Komei starting slowly at the back. As the runners reached the side straight, the field’s positions showed Komei conserving stamina along the inner lane while the race remained tightly contested.

• Mejiro Dober entered the Paddock after Mejiro Komei, and the announcer introduced her many achievements to the cheering crowd.
• The Summer Dream Trophy started, and Seiun Sky surged into the lead while the other Horse Girls settled into position.
• Kitasan Black noticed Mejiro Komei at the back, and Anjing Zhen explained her naturally slow reaction time and advised Kitasan to study Seiun Sky’s running.
• Anjing Zhen reasoned that Mejiro Komei was saving stamina by hugging the inner lane as she watched the runners ahead.
• The announcer reported Seiun Sky leading into the first turn, with Special Week and Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi close behind, while Mejiro Komei remained last as the field approached the side straight.

Anjing Zhen explained that the confrontation between Seiun Sky and Special Week had been underway since the Start Gate, as Seiun Sky set an unusually fast pace and Special Week stayed close. The race left Seiun Sky’s true strategy unclear, since Special Week’s pressure made her familiar Kikuka Sho pace deception unlikely to work.

• Seiun Sky led the field around the bend, with Special Week close behind and Mejiro Komei trailing.
• Kitasan Black sensed that the apparent lack of clashes did not match Special Week’s usual style, and Anjing Zhen said the confrontation had begun at the Start Gate.
• The commentator announced a startling 34.4-second time at the 600-meter marker, and the spectators recognized the pace as exceptionally fast.
• The commentator suggested Seiun Sky was attempting her Kikuka Sho pace-deception tactic, prompting Kitasan Black to recall Anjing Zhen’s explanation of it.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Special Week had stayed two and a half lengths behind Seiun Sky throughout, making it unlikely Seiun Sky could repeat the tactic and suggesting she had another plan.

The race changed dramatically as Hishi Akebono, Mejiro Dober, and Seiun Sky accelerated in succession, setting off a fierce battle for position. Hishi Akebono charged through the newly opened inner lane and closed in on the leaders as the crowd erupted.

• Special Week watched Hishi Akebono move outward as Butterfly Orchid and Erimo Koryo blocked the path forward.
• Seiun Sky suddenly accelerated after noticing that Special Week, Grass Wonder, and El Condor Pasa had not yet made their moves.
• The commentator announced that Hishi Akebono, Mejiro Dober, and Seiun Sky had accelerated as the field entered the Third Turn.
• Grass Wonder accelerated while Special Week tried to advance, and the runners spread across the track entering the fourth turn.
• Hishi Akebono cut into the open Inner Lane, passed several runners, and began closing in on Grass Wonder and Seiun Sky.
• Spectators cheered wildly as the race surged into a fever pitch.

Anjing Zhen watched the race unfold and explained how Seiun Sky, Machikane Fukukitaru, and Mejiro Komei were using different strategies. As the runners entered the final stretch, El Condor Pasa broke free from the pack and began chasing Seiun Sky.

• Anjing Zhen analyzed how Seiun Sky had conserved her stamina before accelerating, while Special Week and Grass Wonder pursued her and became entangled.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Machikane Fukukitaru was waiting for the right moment to catch Seiun Sky, while Mejiro Komei used an outside line to conserve stamina and build speed.
• Anjing Zhen became swept up in the race and grabbed Kitasan Black's hand as he praised the Horse Girls and said her limits had not yet been reached.
• Kitasan Black blushed, squeezed Anjing Zhen's hand, and wondered what races she might run if she met the limits he expected of her.
• Seiun Sky opened a five-length lead entering the final bend, but Special Week and Grass Wonder closed the gap together.
• El Condor Pasa broke free through an opening as the bend became a straight, prompting Seiun Sky to wonder why she had not gone after Special Week instead.

Seiun Sky’s lead collapsed in the final straight as El Condor Pasa, Special Week, and Grass Wonder closed in, with Hishi Akebono, Mejiro Dober, Machikane Fukukitaru, and Mejiro Komei joining the chase. The Dream Cup approached its finish with the Golden Generation pressing forward, but the chapter ended before the result was revealed.

• Seiun Sky saw Special Week and Grass Wonder charging after her while El Condor Pasa cut inward to overtake.
• Seiun Sky regained her resolve and fought to defend her lead as the announcer described the pack closing in.
• Stay Gold moved inward and forced Butterfly Orchid and Erimo Koryo to change positions, opening a path for Hishi Akebono to advance.
• Mejiro Dober followed Hishi Akebono, while Machikane Fukukitaru and Mejiro Komei pursued from the outer lane.
• Special Week, Grass Wonder, Hishi Akebono, Machikane Fukukitaru, and Mejiro Komei pushed toward the finish as the Dream Cup entered its final 200 meters.

El Condor Pasa overtook Seiun Sky and won the Summer Dream Trophy, with Grass Wonder edging out Special Week for second. After the race, Special Week revealed she had remembered El Condor Pasa’s old teasing and invited everyone to eat together.

• El Condor Pasa drew strength from her memories of past races and accelerated past Seiun Sky.
• Special Week and Grass Wonder dodged Seiun Sky and sprinted after El Condor Pasa, while the other runners charged toward the finish.
• El Condor Pasa crossed the finish line first, Grass Wonder finished ahead of Special Week, and the remaining places awaited a photo finish.
• El Condor Pasa celebrated her victory, and Special Week got up after falling and spitting grass from her mouth.
• Special Week teased El Condor Pasa with the French phrase she had once used, then invited the others to eat together.

After the Dream Cup, Anjing Zhen watched the Horse Girls celebrate and discovered Machikane Fukukitaru had carried a crystal ball throughout her racing career. Kitasan Black praised several seniors’ divination, feng shui, and magic, then lamented that Tosen Raiki had rejected her spell to become a magical girl.

• Anjing Zhen watched Special Week, El Condor Pasa, Grass Wonder, the Mejiro sisters, and Stay Gold mingle after the race.
• Anjing Zhen spotted Machikane Fukukitaru pulling a soccer-ball-sized glass orb from her Victory Outfit to divine for Stay Gold.
• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen and Almond Eye that Fukukitaru’s divination was accurate and mentioned Kobayashi Ricky’s feng shui and Tosen Raiki’s magic.
• Almond Eye asked Kitasan Black to introduce her to the seniors, while Duramente wondered whether divination, feng shui, and magic were real.
• Kitasan Black insisted the practices were real and said Tosen Raiki had rejected her spell to become a magical girl.

Anjing Zhen Shen realized he might have feelings for Kitasan Black, then turned his attention to Duramente’s future race plans and a possible accident. He decided to act in advance so Kitasan Black could race Duramente again.

• Anjing Zhen Shen remembered his own youthful fantasies and noticed that he had been holding Kitasan Black’s hand.
• Anjing Zhen Shen considered whether his feelings for Kitasan Black had gone beyond friendship, then grew flustered and tried to distract himself.
• Kitasan Black explained that she and Almond Eye and Duramente had been discussing the upcoming race and asked Anjing Zhen Shen who he thought would win.
• Anjing Zhen Shen concluded that Duramente’s next race would likely be the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and thought about her conflict with her family and Trainer.
• Anjing Zhen Shen decided to prepare for the possibility of an accident and help make it possible for Kitasan Black to face Duramente again.

After Sister Symboli came to retrieve Duramente, Kitasan Black persuaded her to honor their racing promise by competing in different G1 races. Anjing Zhen then raised his plan to arrange comprehensive physical examinations for Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and possibly Duramente.

• Anjing Zhen planned comprehensive physical examinations for Kitasan Black and Almond Eye and considered inviting Duramente.
• Sister Symboli arrived after the Winner's Stage and asked Duramente to return with her, but Duramente refused because she had promised to race alongside Kitasan Black.
• Kitasan Black told Duramente they could honor their promise by racing in the Kikuka Sho and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which were both scheduled for October.
• Duramente accepted the challenge and asked what would happen if they both won, and Kitasan Black vowed their rivalry would continue.
• Anjing Zhen asked Sister Symboli whether Duramente had a comprehensive physical examination arranged.

Sister Symboli arranged a medical examination for Duramente and planned to speak with Almond Eye’s family, while Duramente stayed overnight with Kitasan Black. As the two talked about racing, Duramente asked Kitasan Black how she wanted to run her upcoming races, leaving Kitasan Black wondering how Duramente approached competition.

• Sister Symboli agreed to arrange a full medical examination for Duramente and contact Almond Eye’s family, and Anjing Zhen agreed that she should handle the conversation.
• Anjing Zhen and Sister Symboli decided that Duramente would stay at his hotel until after the examination the next day.
• Kitasan Black made Duramente’s bed, then played a video game with her in their hotel room.
• Duramente asked Kitasan Black how she wanted to run the Saint Lite Kinen, and Kitasan Black realized she had always followed Anjing Zhen’s race plans.
• Kitasan Black praised Anjing Zhen’s predictions and asked Duramente whether she simply raced however she felt.

Duramente told Kitasan Black how others’ expectations had shaped her pursuit of becoming the strongest Horse Girl, prompting Kitasan to reflect on her own motivations and encourage them both to follow their different paths toward their dreams. After comprehensive examinations, Anjing Zhen and Symboli Rudolf discovered that Duramente had crystalline inflammation, a condition that could lead to fractures if left uncontrolled.

• Duramente told Kitasan Black that she had once eaten dorayaki for days because Sister Symboli had asked what she liked, and said she pursued the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe because others had told her to become the strongest Horse Girl.
• Kitasan Black reflected on the people and dreams that motivated her, then told Duramente that their different reasons for racing could still lead them to achieve their dreams.
• Kitasan Black and Duramente admitted they had stayed up late playing Monster Hunter, and Symboli Rudolf warned Duramente to balance rest and work.
• Almond Eye arrived at the hospital with her parents, and Kitasan Black, Duramente, and Almond Eye underwent comprehensive examinations.
• Anjing Zhen and Symboli Rudolf reviewed Duramente's results and found crystalline inflammation that could cause serious consequences, including fractures, if left uncontrolled.