Chapter Summaries

Gold Ship recovered from head-bobbing at the start and settled into third behind Gorgeous Glory in the Kyodo News Hai. As the horses passed the halfway mark and entered the third turn, the leading favorites were holding position ahead of the expected final-straight battle.

• All eleven horses broke from the gates, but Gold Ship bobbed his head while Koichi urged him forward, costing them ground behind Gorgeous Glory.
• Gold Ship settled down and ran along the inside rail, while Koichi chose to hold position rather than challenge for the lead.
• Gorgeous Glory led by a length and a half as Gold Ship stayed between third and fourth, with the field maintaining its positions along the long stretch.
• Megumi Mitsumori watched the race on her phone and hoped Gold Ship would find an opening on the final straight, while Mirai grew nervous beside her.
• The horses entered the third turn past halfway, with Gorgeous Glory still leading and the middle and rear of the pack yet to move.

Gold Ship surged past Gorgeous Glory in the final stretch to win the Kyodo News Hai, while Straw Hat charged late but could not catch the leaders. Koichi celebrated the victory and looked ahead to preparing for the Satsuki Sho at Nakayama Racecourse.

• Koichi urged Gold Ship to accelerate and move past the tiring number five horse into the open lane.
• Gold Ship closed on Gorgeous Glory, and Koichi used Windmill Whip as the gap narrowed to half a length.
• Gold Ship overtook Gorgeous Glory and crossed the finish line in first place as Straw Hat made a late charge from the outside.
• Koichi patted Gold Ship and thanked Masayoshi Ubaname, then focused on preparing for the Satsuki Sho.
• Gold Ship followed the other horses back at a walk as spectators cheered.

Gold Ship won another graded stakes race at Tokyo Racecourse after a powerful late kick, securing a place in the Satsuki Sho. Koichi Sasaki discussed Gold Ship's performance and their next race before signing autographs and hurrying to prepare for his next ride.

• Megumi Mitsumori and Mirai celebrated as Gold Ship passed Gorgeous Glory and won the race, while Straw Hat finished too late to catch him.
• Koichi Sasaki dismounted Gold Ship, handed off his equipment, and went to the interview room as Yamana Takuto and Mirai led Gold Ship away.
• Koichi told the interviewer that Gold Ship had improved since his two-year-old season and confirmed that they planned to go straight to the Satsuki Sho.
• Koichi signed autographs for a small group of fans, thanked them for their support, and hurried to the photo area before preparing for his next race.

After Gold Ship won his first graded stakes race since coming to Tokyo, Koichi prepared for his final race while Mirai and Yamana Takuto cared for Gold Ship. The vet found no problems in a basic examination, and Gold Ship rested as the team looked ahead to the Satsuki Sho.

• Gold Ship finished the post-race photos with Koichi, Megumi Mitsumori, and Mirai before Mirai hugged him and Yamana Takuto led him back to rest.
• Koichi changed into his next race’s Racing Silks, drank water, and headed to the Jockey Room while Saki Ikegami arranged a celebration for after the race.
• Mirai bathed Gold Ship, who played with his towel before returning to the wash, and Yamana Takuto prepared his dinner.
• The vet examined Gold Ship after he had rested and reported that the basic examination showed no problems.

Koichi took Yamana Takuto to an arcade while Megumi Mitsumori, Mirai, and Saki Ikegami went shopping, then the group reunited for dinner and discussed Gold Ship, Epiphaneia, and upcoming races. After the meal, Mirai and Yamana headed back by taxi, while Koichi arranged a hotel room for Megumi.

• Koichi took Yamana Takuto to an arcade and won several plush toys while Megumi Mitsumori, Mirai, and Saki Ikegami went shopping.
• Megumi encouraged Mirai to accept makeup, while Saki watched their playful exchange.
• At dinner, Koichi and Megumi discussed Gold Ship's rest and training, Ikezoe potentially assessing Epiphaneia, and Koichi's upcoming work in Hanshin.
• Koichi gave each of the others a plush toy, and the group celebrated his graded stakes victory and discussed racing news.
• Koichi arranged for Mirai and Yamana to take a taxi back near Gold Ship and booked Megumi a room at his hotel.

Koichi visited Gentildonna and learned that a sudden fever had left her in poor condition before her upcoming race, though her illness was under control. He then checked on Golden Masterpiece, whose recovery had been disappointing, and worried about the short rest before the Spring Tenno Sho.

• Koichi Sasaki's televised interview renewed public interest in him and his racing career.
• Koichi arrived at the Training Center and found Gentildonna bedridden with a fever shortly before her race.
• Omura Shinki told Koichi to prioritize Gentildonna's health if anything went wrong, and Koichi agreed not to push her.
• Koichi and Saki Ikegami discussed Gentildonna's race, which her team still hoped to run, and went to check on Golden Masterpiece.
• Hitachi Yosuke told Koichi that Golden Masterpiece had not regained his form since returning to training, and Koichi noted the tight schedule before the Spring Tenno Sho.

Koichi reunited with Golden Masterpiece and rode him through a training session ahead of the Spring Tenno Sho. After feeding him carrots, Koichi discussed his schedule with Hitachi Yosuke and agreed to call Ayano Aoe later to report on the trial ride.

• Koichi greeted Golden Masterpiece at the training center and promised him carrots after training.
• Koichi rode Golden Masterpiece for a 1,200-meter training run while Hitachi Yosuke and Saki Ikegami watched.
• Golden Masterpiece accelerated strongly during the run, though Koichi felt he was not yet in the form he had shown at last year's Arima Kinen.
• Koichi fed Golden Masterpiece the promised carrots and spoke with Hitachi Yosuke about his March schedule.
• Koichi agreed to call Ayano Aoe later and report how the trial ride went.

Koichi discussed Golden Masterpiece’s prospects for the Spring Tenno Sho with Ayano Aoe and confirmed Gold Ship’s plan to target the Satsuki Sho. After arranging a trip to Hokkaido to check on his broodmare, he prepared to focus on the upcoming races and the foal’s birth.

• Koichi warned Ayano Aoe that Golden Masterpiece might struggle to run the Spring Tenno Sho after the Hanshin Daishoten, but she said the schedule would remain in place.
• Koichi told Ayano Aoe that Gold Ship would rest and train before making his next start in the Satsuki Sho, and she said she would attend.
• Koichi spoke with the Ranch Manager, who reported that the broodmare was doing well and had a veterinarian overseeing her as she neared foaling.
• Koichi asked the Ranch Manager to seek help from Aoe Ranch if needed and decided to return to Hokkaido after the early-March race to check on the mare.
• Saki Ikegami began looking for flights after Koichi asked her to arrange his trip to Hokkaido.

Koichi Sasaki rode at Chukyo Racecourse, gaining experience on an unfamiliar track before spending the afternoon with Saki Ikegami. At the training center, Gentildonna's trainer and the Sunday Club representative discussed her poor condition ahead of the Tulip Sho and Koichi's decision to ride her.

• Koichi rode in two races at Chukyo Racecourse and gained new insights into the track, though his results were weaker than at familiar venues.
• Koichi thanked Saki Ikegami for arranging the rides and said he hoped to return to Chukyo, while Saki explained that March would focus on Hanshan and Nakayama Racecourses.
• Koichi and Saki left the racecourse after Koichi greeted fans, then decided to spend the afternoon sightseeing and getting lunch.
• Gentildonna's trainer told the Sunday Club representative that she could race in the Tulip Sho but was out of form, had not trained, and was losing weight after her fever.
• The trainer said Koichi still wanted to ride Gentildonna, and the representative asked that Koichi not put too much pressure on himself.

Koichi visited Gentildonna and Golden Masterpiece, bringing carrot sticks that helped Gentildonna feel better while Golden Masterpiece refused the leftovers. He left to prepare for the week’s races, with Gentildonna awaiting veterinary clearance and Golden Masterpiece’s condition still uncertain.

• Koichi visited Gentildonna after her training and offered her carrot sticks, which she eagerly ate despite Omura Shinki advising him to limit her portion.
• Koichi left Gentildonna to rest and gave Golden Masterpiece fresh carrot sticks after the horse rejected the leftovers.
• Koichi told Hitachi Yosuke that he planned to return home after the week’s races and check on his family’s broodmare, who was due to foal.
• Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke discussed their busy racing schedule and agreed to eat ramen together next time.
• Koichi reported that Gentildonna was recovering and could race if she passed the veterinary examination, while Golden Masterpiece still needed work on his condition.

Koichi prepared to ride Gentildonna in the Tulip Sho despite her incomplete recovery and a difficult draw in gate one. As the race began, he hoped to secure a placing and help her regain her confidence.

• Koichi told Ryuji Wada that Gentildonna had recovered somewhat but was not yet back to her peak.
• Ryuji Wada and Yuichi Fukunaga discussed their mounts and assessed the horses in the Parade Ring, where Life Is Fun looked strong.
• Koichi considered how to ride Gentildonna from gate one and accepted that finishing in the top five would be enough.
• Koichi stroked Gentildonna, then mounted her as Taiki Wonder wished them luck.
• Koichi patted Gentildonna's mane and prepared for the start, hoping to secure a placing despite her condition.

Koichi and Gentildonna entered the Tulip Sho, but after a strong start they became trapped in the pack as Shonan Maō set a fast pace. With the final turn approaching, Koichi kept searching for a way out while Christophe Lemaire guarded the route to the outside.

• Gentildonna entered stall one calmly, and Koichi checked his equipment before the race began.
• All fourteen horses broke from the gates, and Koichi urged Gentildonna forward before settling her into position.
• Shonan Maō took the lead as Ryuji Wada secured a place near the front and Life Is Fun was surrounded in the middle of the pack.
• Koichi could not find an opening along the rail and found Gentildonna trapped beside Yuichi Fukunaga and Hanas's Gate.
• At the thousand-meter mark, Christophe Lemaire watched Koichi and blocked Gentildonna from moving outside as the final turn approached.

Koichi Sasaki rode Gentildonna to third place after she was boxed in and struggled to find room for her final sprint. Hanas's Gate won, and Gentildonna left the race set to prepare for the Oka Sho.

• Koichi Sasaki and Yuichi Fukunaga struggled to find an opening as Softly Spoken and other horses boxed their fillies in.
• Shonan Mao fell back, allowing Koichi and Yuichi to break through, while Hanas's Gate and Spicy Aroma surged from the outside.
• Koichi moved Gentildonna outward and urged her into a final sprint, but her lingering fever limited her acceleration.
• Lemaire guided Hanas's Gate to first, while Gentildonna finished third and Life Is Fun finished fourth.
• Koichi reflected that Gentildonna had worked hard and planned to target the Oka Sho next.

Koichi returned to Hokkai Ranch after the Tulip Sho and caught up with Megumi Mitsumori about the horses and their upcoming races. He checked on the pregnant mare Sweetie, named her foal Black North, and planned a trip to Sapporo with Megumi before visiting Divine Might.

• Koichi returned to Hokkai Ranch, where Megumi Mitsumori greeted him and discussed the ranch’s horses, including Gold Ship and Epiphaneia.
• Koichi and Megumi talked about Golden Masterpiece’s upcoming Hanshin Daishoten and the possibility of settling the score at the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Koichi checked Sweetie’s condition through the surveillance feed, and Haruki Kuchiki reported that she and her foal were healthy and nearing the birth.
• Koichi named Sweetie’s foal Black North and told Haruki to watch over her carefully.
• Koichi invited Megumi to drive to Sapporo for dinner, then asked whether Divine Might was back in his stable.

Koichi took Epiphaneia to morning training and assessed how the horse's strength and running form had developed. After Koichi bathed him and returned him to the stable, Epiphaneia wished he could keep training with him.

• Koichi greeted Tetsuya Futawatari, who said Japan Jordan was training at Hanshin before the Spring Tenno Sho and had another jockey lined up.
• Koichi rode Epiphaneia in a workout alongside a two-year-old, letting him build speed gradually while keeping control of his pace.
• Epiphaneia pulled ahead of the other horse, and Koichi held him back when he tried to accelerate too early.
• Koichi bathed Epiphaneia, who repeatedly leaned against him and rubbed his head against him.
• Koichi returned Epiphaneia to the stable and left to change after sneezing; Epiphaneia rolled in the straw and wished he could keep training with Koichi.

Koichi visited Gentildonna and Golden Masterpiece at the Training Center, checking on their preparations and meeting Kenichi Ikezoe while he filmed. He left with Ikezoe to get dinner after seeing that Golden Masterpiece was in strong form but still temperamental ahead of his first race as a four-year-old.

• Koichi discussed Gentildonna’s improved condition and the need to avoid getting boxed in at the Oka Sho with her trainer.
• Koichi greeted Kenichi Ikezoe during a filming session, and the two decided to visit Golden Masterpiece before going out to eat.
• Golden Masterpiece neighed at Ikezoe, who kept his distance after remembering being thrown off by the horse.
• Hitachi Yosuke told Koichi that Golden Masterpiece had regained his Arima Kinen weight and muscle as he prepared for the Hanshin Daishoten.
• Koichi and Ikezoe ended their visit and left after Ikezoe gave up trying to pet Golden Masterpiece.

Ayano Aoe and Koichi Sasaki discussed Golden Masterpiece’s uncertain condition ahead of her first race as a four-year-old, the Hanshin Daishoten. After the stall draw and interviews, they caught up about Koichi’s newborn foal and the promising Epiphaneia, while the Spring Tenno Sho remained a concern.

• Ayano Aoe asked Keigo Kudo and Koichi Sasaki whether Golden Masterpiece was ready for the Hanshin Daishoten, and Koichi warned that the long distance could be difficult.
• Ayano Aoe and Koichi Sasaki agreed that Golden Masterpiece should race, and Keigo Kudo drew stall twelve for her.
• Ayano Aoe noted that rain was forecast, while Koichi said he would avoid getting trapped on the inside.
• Ayano Aoe and Koichi Sasaki gave interviews before walking together and discussing Koichi’s healthy newborn foal.
• Ayano Aoe asked about Epiphaneia’s progress, and Koichi reflected that he would need to manage Golden Masterpiece until Black North grew up.

Golden Masterpiece drew heavy public attention as he prepared for his first race as a four-year-old in the Hanshin Daishoten, with Koichi Sasaki warning that the horse was not in good form. The chapter ends as the horses prepared to race, while Ayano Aoe hoped Golden Masterpiece would manage the demanding schedule.

• Golden Masterpiece attracted overwhelming support for the Hanshin Daishoten, with his odds reaching 1.1 and his starting stall twelve preventing the other jockeys from boxing him in.
• Koichi Sasaki told Ryuji Wada and Yuichi Fukunaga that Golden Masterpiece was not in good form, though the jockeys still expected him to dominate.
• Commentators introduced the field, including rivals Many Charms, Gustav, Network Email, and Namura Shingetsu, and discussed Golden Masterpiece's prospects for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
• Ayano Aoe worried that the gap between Golden Masterpiece's races was too short, while Fujitani Kotomi judged him to look in good form.
• Miku Kuchiki prepared to watch Golden Masterpiece's race as Gold Ship began training for the Satsuki Sho.

Golden Masterpiece prepared for his first race as a four-year-old at Hanshin, where he was the overwhelming favorite. After warming up and entering stall twelve, he waited for the start as the other jockeys focused on competing for a placing behind him.

• Koichi reassured Hitachi Yosuke that Golden Masterpiece could handle the race, while Yosuke warned him not to cause trouble on the track.
• Koichi mounted Golden Masterpiece, and the horse followed the procession onto the track as the crowd cheered for him.
• Commentators debated which running style Koichi would choose and discussed the draws of Many Charms, Gustav, and Namura Shingetsu.
• Koichi watched the other horses and worried that Golden Masterpiece himself might be their greatest obstacle.
• Staff led the horses into the starting stalls, and Golden Masterpiece entered stall twelve after resisting slightly.

Golden Masterpiece took the lead in the Hanshin Daishoten, but Koichi’s attempt to rein it in made it think the race was over. It slowed and dropped to last place, giving the other jockeys hope as the race continued.

• Golden Masterpiece started slowly and settled in the middle of the pack as Rich Royal led the field.
• Ryuji Wada accelerated Namura Shingetsu to the front, and Koichi urged Golden Masterpiece up to challenge it.
• Golden Masterpiece overtook Namura Shingetsu and pulled ahead, but began drifting sideways as Koichi struggled to control it.
• Koichi pulled the reins, and Golden Masterpiece mistook the signal for the finish and slowed down.
• Golden Masterpiece fell from first place to last, while the other jockeys saw a chance to win.