Recaps

Kitasan Black’s muddy training race ended in a dramatic pursuit, while Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black later explored Tokyo and competed in a Horse Girl pursuit event. The outing ended with Daitaku Helios and Mejiro Yoshinobu quietly deciding to help the two draw closer.

• Kitasan Black used Great Escape to build a huge lead on the muddy track, but Gold Artisan, Deep Impact, and the other racers timed their pursuit for the final stretch.
• Gold Artisan and Deep Impact passed Kitasan Black before she surged back, and the three raced side by side as Anjing Zhen warned that the critical point was near.
• After the race, Satono Diamond recalled Kitasan Black’s resilience, while Satono Crown and Duramente discussed how Kitasan Black’s racing had inspired them to run.
• Anjing Zhen found that Kitasan Black had stayed in the Zone longer than before, then agreed to explore Tokyo with her during their recovery.
• Kitasan Black led Anjing Zhen around Shibuya, where they drank aojiru, visited the Hachiko statue, and explained their outing to suspicious patrol officers.
• Kitasan Black signed herself and Anjing Zhen up for a Horse Girl pursuit event, where Anjing Zhen evaded Einis Fushin and caught Special Week using the course equipment.
• Kitasan Black’s team won the event by five points, and she and Anjing Zhen shared their prize money before Daitaku Helios led them to a crepe shop.
• Daitaku Helios and Mejiro Yoshinobu privately agreed that Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black were attracted to each other and planned to help them get closer.

Anjing Zhen developed Chase Training as Kitasan Black prepared for the Takarazuka Kinen and considered her ambitions beyond the race. As the rivals gathered in the rain, Duramente and Koushou Hayate declared their intent to defeat Kitasan Black, while Duramente tied the race’s outcome to a choice between the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Japan Cup.

• Kitasan Black shopped in Harajuku with Anjing Zhen, Daitaku Helios, and Mejiro Yoshinobu, who tried to encourage romance between her and Anjing Zhen, and Kitasan Black began calling him “Little Zhen.”
• After Kitasan Black confided in Satono Crown, Anjing Zhen proposed new obstacle-based training and demonstrated Chase Training to Kitasan Black and Almond Eye.
• Anjing Zhen encouraged Kitasan Black to pursue the Hall of Fame, then recommitted himself to his own ambitions and began intense personal training before traveling with Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Wang Ziding to Takarazuka City.
• Anjing Zhen built an obstacle course and tested Kitasan Black in a chase, catching her and teaching her to read opponents’ movements and avoid hesitation.
• As the Takarazuka Kinen approached, Anjing Zhen warned Kitasan Black that rivals might counter her Slow Escape style, and she considered using Chase Training to secure an early position.
• Kitasan Black watched the rain at Hanshin Racecourse and reflected on how Anjing Zhen’s work beside her had changed the way she relied on him.
• Duramente challenged Kitasan Black to race for the Takarazuka Kinen, with the winner choosing between the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Japan Cup for them both.
• Duramente said beating Kitasan Black mattered more to her than her family-set goal, while Satono Crown noted the rivals’ focus and Koushou Hayate vowed to defeat Kitasan Black.

Kitasan Black won the Takarazuka Kinen with a new pace-conserving strategy, then began considering overseas racing and trained toward the Japan Cup. After passing her exams and testing herself against Tokai Teio, she arrived at a seaside training camp with Anjing Zhen and their companions.

• Kitasan Black followed Anjing Zhen’s advice, drew on Tokai Teio’s encouragement, and used a new front-running strategy to conserve stamina during the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Kitasan Black accelerated out of the pack, held off the pursuing field, and won the Takarazuka Kinen before promising Duramente she would be ready for their Japan Cup contest.
• Kitasan Black told Tokai Teio that she ran carrying the hopes and dreams of her family, friends, rivals, fans, and Anjing Zhen.
• Tokai Teio explained her and other senior Horse Girls’ hopes for overseas racing, and Anjing Zhen promised to explore international races with Kitasan Black.
• Anjing Zhen discussed overseas racing and training plans with Kitasan Black, while Agnes Tachyon offered to help with the training camp and Kitasan Black’s exams.
• Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond passed their final exams, and Kitasan Black then raced Tokai Teio over 2,400 meters and nearly tied with her.
• Anjing Zhen, Kitasan Black, and Little Anzu arrived at the seaside training camp, where Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet greeted them and Anjing Zhen scheduled training to begin the next day.

Agnes Tachyon studied Kitasan Black’s racing and helped Anjing Zhen assess her Zone as Kitasan won a simulated Kikuka Sho and advised Satono Diamond. Away from the track, Kitasan supported Mikki Rocket and Little Anzu as they faced doubts about surpassing their seniors, while Agnes Tachyon’s Chase Training left Anjing Zhen glowing after taking her recovery medicine.

• Agnes Tachyon examined Kitasan Black’s training data, joined her and Little Anzu for a run, and suggested that earlier core engagement and a Zone trigger could improve her efficiency.
• Satono Diamond and Satono Crown joined a simulated Kikuka Sho, where Kitasan Black won the 3,000-meter race after the younger runners chased her through a punishing pace.
• Agnes Tachyon reviewed the race data, and Anjing Zhen advised Satono Diamond to trust her own pace and finishing speed instead of matching Kitasan Black’s rhythm.
• Anjing Zhen built a pipe course for Chase Training, while Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Little Anzu met Mikki Rocket for an outing in Izu.
• Reporter Otoya Shiyuezi asked Kitasan Black about the rumored Monster of Fuchu, and Kitasan rejected the idea of a curse and said strength could overcome it.
• Kitasan Black gave Mikki Rocket a T.M. Opera O plushie, recognized her anxiety about following her senior’s legacy, and promised to run with her as they pursued their seniors.
• Little Anzu confessed that she feared failing her debut and doubted she could surpass her seniors, and Kitasan Black promised to help her achieve her dream.
• Kitasan Black found Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet outside Anjing Zhen’s room, where they explained that Chase Training had exhausted him and Agnes Tachyon’s recovery medicine had made him glow like a jellyfish.