Chapter Summaries

Golden Masterpiece lost speed during the race but surged back through the field and chased the leaders into the final stretch. Koichi unleashed Golden Masterpiece’s Final Kick with just over two hundred meters remaining, leaving the horse closing in on the leader.

• Golden Masterpiece abruptly lost speed as the field approached the Fourth Turn, stunning the spectators and Ayano Aoe.
• Koichi urged Golden Masterpiece forward, and the horse accelerated from the back of the field to catch up with the pack.
• Katsumi Ando spotted Golden Masterpiece returning and shouted, startling the jockeys ahead into accelerating.
• Golden Masterpiece passed Network Email and joined Namura Shingetsu and Gustav through the turn as Ryuji Wada and Yuichi Fukunaga pushed their horses harder.
• Gustav took the lead on the final straight while Golden Masterpiece and Many Charms surged forward, leaving Namura Shingetsu behind.
• Koichi activated Windmill Whip, and Golden Masterpiece unleashed its Final Kick and charged toward the leader.

Golden Masterpiece recovered from a sudden slowdown and overtook Gustav in the final stretch to win the Hanshin Daishoten. Koichi Sasaki and the others checked that the horse was unharmed, while Koichi headed to the interview and Golden Masterpiece waited impatiently for his attendant.

• Koichi used Mighty Arm as Golden Masterpiece caught and passed Gustav in the final meters.
• Golden Masterpiece won the Hanshin Daishoten, with Gustav finishing second.
• Koichi celebrated the victory and patted Golden Masterpiece as the crowd applauded.
• Ryuji Wada and Katsumi Ando spoke with Koichi about the scare when Golden Masterpiece slowed and veered sideways.
• Hitachi Yosuke checked on Golden Masterpiece, and Saki Ikegami asked Koichi whether he was all right.
• Koichi removed Golden Masterpiece's tack and went to the interview room while Saki took the equipment and Yosuke continued monitoring the horse.

Koichi Sasaki and Golden Masterpiece won the Hanshin Daishoten after Golden Masterpiece lost speed on a bend and surged back from last place. Koichi planned to discuss the dangerous setback with Ayano Aoe over dinner, leaving to check on Golden Masterpiece and inviting his agent, Saki Ikegami, along.

• Koichi told the host that Golden Masterpiece had lost speed because he veered on the bend, not because of a physical problem, and warned viewers not to imitate their risky comeback.
• Koichi and Golden Masterpiece completed a photo shoot while the others discussed how their win had boosted their confidence about the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
• Ayano Aoe invited Koichi to dinner at Haidilao and asked him to invite his agent so they could discuss the race.
• Koichi escaped the jockeys' chatter, found Saki Ikegami, and invited her to dinner with Ayano Aoe.
• Saki accepted the invitation, and Koichi said he would check on Golden Masterpiece before going to Osaka.

After Golden Masterpiece won the Hanshin Daishoten despite veering during the race, Ayano Aoe told Koichi Sasaki and Saki Ikegami that the JRA required him to retake an assessment before the Spring Tenno Sho. The chapter ended with fans debating the decision and worrying that Golden Masterpiece might miss the Kyoto race.

• Ayano Aoe, Koichi Sasaki, and Saki Ikegami ate dinner together before discussing the race.
• Koichi Sasaki explained that Golden Masterpiece had led early, then veered during the race and lost speed before recovering.
• Ayano Aoe told them the JRA had ordered Golden Masterpiece to retake his assessment before the Spring Tenno Sho or he would be barred from entering.
• Saki Ikegami agreed to arrange the schedule, while Koichi Sasaki prepared to accompany Golden Masterpiece if needed.
• Fans celebrated Golden Masterpiece's victory online, then reacted to the JRA notice and worried he might not pass in time for the Spring Tenno Sho.

Koichi returned to the hotel, caught up on updates about the ranch and the upcoming races, and discussed Gold Ship’s training with Megumi Mitsumori. The chapter ended with Koichi relaxing in front of a broadcast of the Hanshin Daishoten.

• Koichi received videos showing that Black North was healthy and settling in at the ranch while Sweetie cared for him.
• Megumi Mitsumori arranged for Sweetie to be bred to Dream Journey, and Ayano Aoe promised to watch Gold Ship race at Nakayama Racecourse.
• Koichi learned that Gentildonna had qualified for the Oka Sho, the first race in her Triple Crown campaign.
• Megumi Mitsumori told Koichi that Gold Ship had lost weight as his training intensified and that his condition was improving ahead of the Satsuki Sho.
• Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori discussed Epiphaneia and Black North before Koichi ended their call and turned on the Hanshin Daishoten broadcast.

Koichi visited Golden Masterpiece at Hanshin Racecourse, where the horse faced an official dirt-track test before the Spring Tenno Sho. After discussing upcoming races and the competition from horses such as Gentildonna, Koichi took Golden Masterpiece out for a walk.

• Koichi discussed his day off and rejected Saki Ikegami’s suggestion that they start a channel.
• Koichi visited Golden Masterpiece and learned from Hitachi Yosuke that the horse needed to pass another official test to enter the Spring Tenno Sho.
• Koichi and Hitachi discussed the dirt-track test, Golden Masterpiece’s limited recovery time, and Gentildonna’s condition ahead of the Oka Sho.
• Koichi agreed to take Golden Masterpiece for a walk, and the horse eagerly waited at the stall door.

Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke took Golden Masterpiece for a relaxing walk and discussed the challenges of preparing for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Meanwhile, Gold Ship continued training for the Satsuki Sho as Megumi Mitsumori visited the Training Center.

• Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke walked Golden Masterpiece, who enjoyed strolling and playing in the sand enclosure.
• Hitachi Yosuke worried about Golden Masterpiece's overseas travel and adapting to a foreign racecourse, while Koichi said he was not ready to ride in Europe.
• Megumi Mitsumori visited the Training Center to check on Gold Ship, who had increased his training ahead of the Satsuki Sho.
• Gold Ship ignored Megumi Mitsumori and headed to his sidekick after training, while Yamana Takuto dismounted and prepared to report on the session.

Koichi Sasaki watched a live TV discussion about Golden Masterpiece’s dramatic Hanshin Daishoten victory while Saki Ikegami worked nearby. The guests decided to call Sasaki to hear his account of the race.

• Koichi watched a live horse-racing show about the Hanshin Daishoten as Saki worked at the hotel.
• Yuichi Fukunaga and Ryuji Wada discussed how Golden Masterpiece had dominated the race and then lost speed, briefly renewing the other jockeys’ hopes.
• Fukunaga and Wada recalled Katsumi Ando shouting that Golden Masterpiece was catching up, which startled Wada into urging his horse onward.
• Fukunaga suggested calling Koichi, and Wada took out his phone to contact him.

Koichi recounted Golden Masterpiece’s loss during a live call with Ryuji Wada’s program, then discussed his schedule with Saki Ikegami. He planned to arrange Golden Masterpiece’s assessment after the week’s races while keeping the Spring Tenno Sho and upcoming training visits on track.

• Koichi answered Ryuji Wada’s call and told the program’s viewers what he had been thinking during the Hanshin Daishoten.
• Koichi and Saki Ikegami planned to eat curry for lunch, and Koichi went to exercise and practice his balance.
• Koichi reviewed the next two weeks’ schedule with Saki and agreed to arrange Golden Masterpiece’s assessment after the week’s races.
• Saki told Koichi that Gentildonna’s camp had requested only final tune-up sessions and that the Sunday Club had offered better rides.
• Koichi planned to visit the training center after Golden Masterpiece’s training and then check on Gold Ship.

Koichi and Golden Masterpiece returned for a dirt-track retest, which Golden Masterpiece passed on his first attempt. Koichi then headed back, with the Spring Tenno Sho ahead and a visit to Gold Ship still to make.

• A few days after their previous race, Koichi brought Golden Masterpiece to retake the flat-racing assessment on a dirt track.
• Koichi warmed Golden Masterpiece up while Hitachi Yosuke led him around the track and staff prepared the recording equipment.
• Golden Masterpiece followed Koichi's instructions during the test, and they passed on their first try.
• Koichi said goodbye to the Assistant and Golden Masterpiece, then avoided waiting reporters with Saki Ikegami.
• Koichi asked Saki to drive him back so he could visit Gold Ship.

Koichi prepared Gold Ship for the Satsuki Sho, discussing her weight, feeding, and training with the stable staff. The chapter ended with Koichi advising Yamana Takuto about Gold Ship’s reluctance to accelerate and looking ahead to her final tune-up.

• Koichi agreed to schedule Gold Ship’s final tune-up three days before the race and offered Mirai time off to visit home, but she decided to stay.
• Koichi fed Gold Ship a carrot and told Mirai to follow the prescribed feeding plan rather than give her extra food.
• Koichi, Mirai, Saki Ikegami, and Yamana Takuto stayed in Tokyo and went to dinner after work.
• Koichi warned Yamana Takuto that Gold Ship tended to stop accelerating once she got in front, and Yamana resolved to watch for it.

Koichi and Gentildonna completed their final tune-up for the Oka Sho alongside Life Is Fun, showing that Gentildonna had recovered her form and could challenge the favorite. Koichi then discussed the race plan with Tadashi Ishisaka as they prepared for the upcoming contest.

• Koichi brought Gentildonna to Hanshin Racecourse for her final Oka Sho tune-up and noted that she was in much better form.
• Gentildonna accelerated alongside Life Is Fun and quickly closed the gap, impressing Fukunaga and the trainers with her finishing speed.
• Koichi and Fukunaga discussed their horses' chances and starting stalls after the tune-up, with Fukunaga noting that Life Is Fun had drawn wide.
• Koichi told Tadashi Ishisaka that he felt confident in Gentildonna and discussed race tactics and the horses they needed to watch.
• Koichi resolved to follow the Sunday Club's general wishes while taking any opportunity to win the race.

Koichi arrived at Hanshin Racecourse for a day of five rides, including a three-year-old maiden race, as he prepared to become a freelance jockey. Before the race, he tried a mechanical riding simulator with Kenichi Ikezoe and other jockeys, then left to change and warm up.

• Koichi and Saki Ikegami discussed his move toward freelance jockeying as they arrived at Hanshin Racecourse.
• Yutaka Take advised Koichi to pursue more dirt racing, while Kenichi Ikezoe joined their conversation.
• Yutaka Take suggested Koichi use the mechanical horse simulator to prepare for his first race, and Kenichi Ikezoe showed him how it worked.
• Koichi rode the simulator and attracted other jockeys, who gathered to try it themselves.
• Koichi left to change and warm up for the three-year-old turf maiden race, while Yutaka Take returned to the changing room.

Koichi Sasaki prepared to ride Gentildonna in the Oka Sho after discussing his upcoming freelance status with fellow jockeys. Gentildonna looked recovered and well positioned among a strong field, leaving the outcome to be decided on the track.

• Koichi Sasaki celebrated placing second in the Osaka Hamburger Cup and told Ryuji Wada that his freelance paperwork was progressing.
• Ryuji Wada, Katsumi Ando, and Kenichi Ikezoe encouraged Koichi Sasaki to perform well in the Oka Sho for the Sunday Club.
• Saki Ikegami handed Koichi Sasaki his blue helmet before he headed to the Parade Ring.
• The Oka Sho contenders appeared in strong form, with Life Is Fun favored and Gentildonna second favorite after recovering from illness.
• Commentators noted Gentildonna's good draw and condition but warned that other jockeys might target her.

Koichi Sasaki prepared to ride Gentildonna in the Oka Sho, hoping to earn his first Grade 1 victory of the year. As the eighteen horses entered the starting stalls, Gentildonna calmly walked into stall ten.

• Koichi reviewed the strong jockey lineup and resolved to watch his rivals carefully after his previous setback.
• Tadashi Ishisaka wished Koichi luck, and Koichi mounted Gentildonna, who behaved cooperatively.
• Koichi and Gentildonna paraded and warmed up on the track, where he judged her to be in excellent form.
• The commentators highlighted Life Is Fun and Gentildonna as leading contenders while the horses began loading into the stalls.
• Koichi watched another horse resist loading, then Gentildonna calmly entered stall ten when her turn came.

Koichi and Gentildonna secured a strong position early in the Oka Sho and waited for the turn before accelerating. As the field entered the final stretch, several rivals made their moves alongside them, leaving the race wide open.

• Gentildonna broke sharply from the gates and joined the leading group while number eighteen charged to the front.
• Koichi held Gentildonna in position beside Yutaka Take and Meisho Suzanna as the field stretched out behind the leaders.
• Yuichi Fukunaga shifted Life Is Fun toward the outside, while Kenichi Ikezoe waited for a chance to advance.
• As the horses approached the final turn, number eighteen was caught and the jockeys began preparing their moves.
• Koichi spotted an opening and accelerated Gentildonna into the Fourth Turn as Yutaka Take, Kenichi Ikezoe, Yuichi Fukunaga, and other jockeys also pushed forward.

Koichi Sasaki rode Gentildonna to victory in the Oka Sho, earning his first Grade 1 win of the year and the first leg of the Fillies' Triple Crown. The chapter ended with him bringing Gentildonna before the stands and handing her reins to her stablehand.

• Yuichi Fukunaga urged Life Is Fun forward, while Kenichi Ikezoe and Yutaka Take also moved up as the field entered the home straight.
• Koichi Sasaki drove Gentildonna through the pack, and she surged ahead of Verxina and No One but Me in the final stretch.
• Gentildonna pulled half a length clear and won the Oka Sho, securing the first leg of the Fillies' Triple Crown.
• Koichi celebrated his first Grade 1 victory of the year and patted Gentildonna after the finish.
• Koichi walked Gentildonna before the stands, then handed her reins to her excited stablehand.

After Koichi Sasaki won the Oka Sho aboard Gentildonna, he celebrated the victory and discussed her prospects for the Japanese Oaks. He also told Trainer Tadashi Ishisaka that he planned to go freelance before summer, while Gentildonna rested and prepared for her next race.

• Koichi Sasaki thanked the interview host and fans after winning his first Grade 1 race of the year with Gentildonna.
• Koichi said he expected Gentildonna to handle the 2,400-meter Japanese Oaks and believed she would perform well.
• Koichi joined Sunday Club representatives and Gentildonna's breeders for a post-race photo session, holding her steady when she acted up.
• Koichi told Trainer Tadashi Ishisaka that he was preparing to go freelance and expected his paperwork to be completed before summer.
• Tadashi Ishisaka considered Gentildonna's schedule, planning to rest her before preparing for the Japanese Oaks.

Koichi returned to Tokyo ahead of the Satsuki Sho and discussed Gold Ship’s condition and final tune-up with Megumi Mitsumori. The chapter ended with Koichi arranging dinner and confirming tomorrow’s plans with Saki Ikegami.

• Koichi arrived in Tokyo to prepare for Gold Ship’s upcoming Satsuki Sho.
• Megumi Mitsumori praised Koichi’s Oka Sho win, and they discussed Gold Ship’s chances, the expected heavy track, and its rivals.
• Megumi Mitsumori scheduled Gold Ship’s final tune-up for Tuesday afternoon at the Training Center.
• Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori agreed to arrange dinner with their companions that evening.
• Koichi called Saki Ikegami, who agreed to his plans for the next day.

Koichi gave Gold Ship his final training session before the race, testing the horse’s improved form while One-Way Passage trained alongside them. The session ended with Gold Ship accelerating strongly and leaving One-Way Passage half a length behind.

• Koichi greeted Tetsuya Futawatari and discussed Gold Ship’s form and his upcoming racing goals.
• Koichi and Takashi Nanao mounted Gold Ship and One-Way Passage for their final training session, overseen by Megumi Mitsumori.
• Tetsuya Futawatari and Megumi Mitsumori discussed One-Way Passage’s inconsistent race performances and his planned 1,600-meter Grade 1 start.
• Koichi felt Gold Ship’s improved strength and acceleration as he urged him to build speed through the training run.
• One-Way Passage accelerated behind Gold Ship, but Gold Ship’s greater stamina kept him half a length ahead.