Chapter Summaries

Koichi finished Gold Ship’s training, reviewed the strong results, and continued working with other racehorses and their trainers at Nakayama Racecourse. After wrapping up his work for the week, he prepared to rest and focus on the upcoming Satsuki Sho.

• Megumi Mitsumori praised Gold Ship’s improved training figures, and Koichi agreed that the horse was in excellent form for the Satsuki Sho.
• Gold Ship grabbed Koichi’s clothes for his carrot reward, then headed back to the Stable with One-Way Passage after learning Koichi had brought none.
• Koichi told Megumi Mitsumori he would ride other racehorses at Nakayama Racecourse and left to continue his work.
• Koichi discussed a temperamental youngster’s upcoming race plan with Trainer Mimura and agreed to do his best in the week’s race.
• Saki Ikegami told Koichi his work for the week was finished and advised him to rest the next day.

Koichi spent a rainy day in Tokyo preparing for the Satsuki Sho and made his first Lucky Draw of the year. He received an Experience Book, supplies, and a Track Card he planned to use at Nakayama Racecourse.

• Koichi stayed at his hotel while Megumi Mitsumori and the others went shopping, and Yamana Takuto took Gold Ship out for training laps before his examination.
• Koichi ate lunch, watched a drama, and exchanged messages with Megumi Mitsumori while the ranch prepared for breeding season and arranged safety for Black North's transport.
• Koichi used a photo of Gold Ship to begin his first Lucky Draw of the year and received an Experience Book, fruit, and many carrots.
• Koichi drew a Track Card that improved his familiarity with a racecourse and decided to use it at Nakayama Racecourse.
• Koichi used the Experience Book and planned to mail carrots to the ranch for Divine Might.

Koichi arrived at Nakayama Racecourse in heavy rain for a day of racing and prepared to ride in the opening dirt race. He joined the other jockeys before heading out, cautious about the muddy track and focused on getting a strong start.

• Koichi arrived at the racecourse and left his umbrella with the others after Saki Ikegami told him he could take any umbrella when he left.
• Koichi weighed himself, greeted Yutaka Take, and changed into his racing gear while Take warned him to be careful on the wet track.
• Koichi prepared for a three-year-old maiden dirt race over 1,200 meters, where a good break from the gate would be crucial.
• Koichi greeted Yuichi Fukunaga, Yuga Kawada, and Katsumi Ando, then discussed his growing experience in dirt races and praised his agent.
• Yutaka Take led the jockeys, including Koichi, toward the parade ring as rain fell and fans gathered to watch.

Koichi recovered from a difficult, rain-soaked dirt race and later won a turf race for Aoe Ranch at Nakayama. He and Ayano Aoe agreed he would still ride Golden Masterpiece in the upcoming Spring Tenno Sho despite the horse’s poor condition and worsening temper.

• Koichi finished fifth in the opening race after Yuga Kawada's horse forced him onto the tiring inside rail in the heavy going.
• Saki Ikegami gave Koichi a towel, and he later discussed the race with the trainer, who planned to consult the owner about the horse’s next steps.
• Koichi practiced on the mechanical horse, watched the later races, and prepared for his afternoon rides with Saki Ikegami’s notes on the turf conditions.
• Koichi won a turf race for Aoe Ranch, then met Ayano Aoe at Nakayama Racecourse.
• Ayano Aoe raised concerns about Golden Masterpiece’s poor condition and proposed changing jockeys, but Koichi chose to ride the horse in the Spring Tenno Sho.

Koichi and Ayano Aoe visited Gold Ship in the stable, where she fed him carrots and Koichi and Mirai brushed him. After returning to the hotel, Koichi rested and reassured Saki Ikegami that he felt well enough to race tomorrow.

• Koichi took Ayano Aoe to visit Gold Ship, and Mirai allowed her to feed him a small portion of carrots.
• Gold Ship eagerly ate the carrots and rejected Koichi's attempt to stroke his nose.
• After Ayano Aoe left, Koichi and Mirai brushed Gold Ship and discussed his condition ahead of his race.
• Koichi returned to the hotel, ordered dinner, rested, and took pills to ward off a cold.
• Koichi told Saki Ikegami he felt fine and promised to call her if he developed a fever.

On race day, Megumi Mitsumori and Mirai checked Gold Ship’s condition and prepared him for his afternoon race, while Koichi visited Ayano Aoe at Nakayama Racecourse. Ayano decided to back Koichi and Gold Ship, whose performance and future prospects remained uncertain.

• Megumi Mitsumori and Koichi got Gold Ship up, checked his condition, and made sure a farrier would inspect his horseshoes before the race.
• Mirai prepared Gold Ship’s breakfast, and Koichi reassured her that Gold Ship had the ability to achieve a good result.
• Koichi met Ayano Aoe in the VIP Room at Nakayama Racecourse and discussed his dirt-racing experience and Gold Ship’s condition.
• Ayano Aoe said she would support Koichi and Gold Ship, despite Gold Ship’s unreliable starts and uncertain chances.
• Ayano Aoe considered that Gold Ship might have the stamina to pursue the Triple Crown and that success could raise Koichi Sasaki’s standing.

Koichi discussed Aoe Ranch’s breeding plans with Ayano Aoe before watching the races. As the Satsuki Sho approached, Mirai and Yamana Takuto prepared Gold Ship and led it from the stable toward the racecourse, where fans gathered to take pictures.

• Ayano Aoe told Koichi that Aoe Ranch had reserved a breeding slot for his stallion and could accommodate him earlier if needed.
• Saki Ikegami arrived, and Koichi settled in to watch the races before going to get lunch.
• Mirai and Yamana Takuto equipped Gold Ship with a hood and bridle and prepared to leave for the racecourse.
• Gold Ship grew excited when the stable barrier was removed, but Mirai and Yamana Takuto held it back and led it outside.
• Mirai kept Gold Ship away from the other Satsuki Sho contenders to avoid intimidation or fighting.
• Fans photographed Gold Ship as Mirai led it toward the racecourse, where the Young Master was waiting.

Gold Ship arrived at Nakayama Racecourse as a fourth favorite for the Satsuki Sho, while Koichi Sasaki and trainer Megumi Mitsumori prepared for the race. The chapter left Gold Ship circling the Parade Ring as Megumi privately trusted the horse to prove it was the strongest three-year-old.

• Gold Ship entered the crowded Parade Ring first, and commentators discussed the horse’s improved physique, inconsistent results, and fourth-place betting odds.
• The commentators introduced Grand Colt, World Ace, and Gorgeous Glory as leading contenders, with four of the top five favorites belonging to the Shadai Line.
• Koichi Sasaki considered how Nakayama’s short, uphill straight would affect his tactics and spoke with other jockeys about the race.
• Megumi Mitsumori listened as trainers discussed the contenders, then publicly named Grand Colt as her favored horse while privately believing Gold Ship would win.

Koichi and Gold Ship entered the Satsuki Sho, with Koichi hoping the hood and an early pace would help them secure a strong position. Gold Ship overtook the lead horses on the way to the track, and Megumi Mitsumori feared the chaotic entrance was a bad omen.

• Koichi took Gold Ship's reins and discussed the race plan with Megumi Mitsumori, focusing on getting a clean break from stall fourteen.
• Gold Ship walked ahead of the lead horses as spectators cheered for Koichi and Gold Ship.
• Gold Ship overtook the lead horses on the way onto the course, forcing Yamana Takuto to guide the restless horse back onto the track.
• Gold Ship warmed up and circled near the starting stalls while the other runners arrived.
• Megumi Mitsumori told Ayano Aoe she was fine, though she privately felt Gold Ship's chances had already fallen and the entrance was a bad omen.

Koichi Sasaki and Gold Ship entered the Satsuki Sho on a slightly heavy track, but Gold Ship was impeded at the start and fell to last place. As Koichi settled Gold Ship into a steady rhythm at the back, Meisho Kadomatsu and Zealous broke away at the front and opened a sizable lead.

• Gold Ship was loaded into stall fourteen without resisting, while favorite Grand Colt entered stall eighteen.
• Gold Ship reacted slowly when the gates opened, and Zealous’s move toward the rail impeded Gold Ship and horse fifteen.
• Meisho Kadomatsu took the lead, Zealous settled just behind, Grand Colt moved into the middle of the pack, and Gold Ship dropped to last.
• Koichi kept Gold Ship in the middle of the track and followed the field steadily as they reached the first bend.
• Meisho Kadomatsu and Zealous battled down the straight and opened a five- or six-length gap over the horses behind.

Koichi Sasaki steered Gold Ship through the open inside route and urged the horse to accelerate as the Satsuki Sho field approached the final turn. Gold Ship caught the horses moving outward and charged up the inside, erasing the gap and leaving the race poised for its decisive stretch.

• Koichi Sasaki chose to accelerate Gold Ship along the inside while Yuichi Fukunaga pushed World Ace forward on the outside.
• Yuga Kawada kept Zelos at a high pace on the inside, while Yasuo Iwata expected the front-runners to tire after the third turn.
• Yutaka Take and Katsumi Ando remained in the middle of the pack as rivals prepared to box in the favored horses.
• Koichi urged Gold Ship to build speed along the clear inside route as the field approached the Fourth Turn.
• Gold Ship caught up with the horses moving outward and charged straight up the inside, stunning the commentator and spectators.

Koichi Sasaki guided Gold Ship from last place to victory in the Satsuki Sho with a bold inside move, preserving the horse’s unbeaten record. The chapter ended with Gold Ship celebrated as fans looked ahead to the Derby.

• Koichi guided Gold Ship up the inside on the turn, passing the field while World Ace and Gorgeous Glory advanced elsewhere.
• Gold Ship pulled clear of the muddy inside footing and moved into second place behind Zealous.
• Koichi drove Gold Ship down the final straight, and Gold Ship took the lead as World Ace and Gorgeous Glory gave chase.
• Gold Ship crossed the finish line nearly two lengths ahead of World Ace, with Gorgeous Glory in third.
• Koichi slowed Gold Ship after the finish, while Megumi Mitsumori and the spectators celebrated the victory.

Gold Ship won the Satsuki Sho with Koichi Sasaki and celebrated as the crowd’s new star at Nakayama Racecourse. After the victory celebrations, Gold Ship remained wildly excited on the track while his connections looked ahead to the Derby and Koichi’s next race.

• Gold Ship returned to the Waiting Area with Koichi after the win and headed off for the Satsuki Sho photo session and interview.
• Mirai and Yamana Takuto took charge of Gold Ship while Koichi left for his interview and prepared for another race.
• Megumi Mitsumori congratulated Gold Ship, promised him extra treats, and discussed the victory with Saki Ikegami.
• Megumi Mitsumori and Saki Ikegami planned a Michelin restaurant celebration and joked about making Koichi pay after his next race.
• Gold Ship showed off high steps on the Racecourse Track, delighting spectators and reporters as Mirai and Yamana Takuto struggled to settle him.

Koichi Sasaki discussed Gold Ship’s Satsuki Sho victory in a post-race interview, explaining how their familiarity helped them break through along the inside. He looked ahead to the Derby before leaving to ride another race, while Megumi Mitsumori and the others took Gold Ship to rest.

• Koichi Sasaki celebrated Gold Ship’s victory and said he had not expected to win the Satsuki Sho again.
• Koichi explained that he chose the inside route because Gold Ship’s strength and their training gave him confidence in the risky move.
• Koichi said he and Megumi Mitsumori would work toward the Derby at Tokyo, hoping Gold Ship could follow Golden Masterpiece’s example.
• Koichi left to prepare for his next race, and Megumi Mitsumori and Saki Ikegami went to wait in the VIP Room.
• Mirai and Yamana Takuto led Gold Ship away to rest and enjoy treats.

After Golden Masterpiece’s Satsuki Sho victory, Koichi and Ayano Aoe discussed the risks of entering the Spring Tenno Sho, and Koichi reaffirmed that he would ride the temperamental horse. The team celebrated with a yacht trip from Asakusa toward Tokyo Bay.

• Koichi told Ayano Aoe he was not confident about the Spring Tenno Sho but believed Golden Masterpiece should race, and he was ready to ride him.
• Ayano Aoe accepted Koichi’s decision while worrying that a loss could undermine plans to take Sasaki to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
• Saki Ikegami considered whether riding Japan Jordan would be safer for Koichi than riding Golden Masterpiece, but kept her thoughts to herself.
• Megumi Mitsumori led the group aboard a yacht in Asakusa, with Yamana Takuto, Mirai, Saki Ikegami, and Koichi following.
• The yacht set off toward Tokyo Bay as the group took photographs and enjoyed the illuminated city from the water.

Yamana Takuto returned to the ranch to help prepare Epiphaneia, also called Divine Might, for his test. After the staff groomed him and fitted protective gear, they struggled to load him into a transporter and finally set off.

• Yamana Takuto met Kuga Kai at the ranch and confirmed that Epiphaneia’s preparations and desensitization training were complete, with motion sickness still a concern.
• Yamana Takuto and Kuga Kai reported their plans to Haruki Kuchiki, then groomed Epiphaneia and fitted protective gear around his legs.
• The next morning, Yamana Takuto held Epiphaneia’s reins while Kuga Kai finished putting on the gear, and they prepared to leave with the horse transporter and a jockey.
• Epiphaneia resisted getting into the transporter, but Yamana Takuto, Kuga Kai, and the others eventually loaded him and departed after saying goodbye to Haruki Kuchiki.

Epiphaneia arrived in Hokkaido for a test, where Kenichi Ikezoe came to ride him at Koichi's request. Ikezoe recognized Epiphaneia's temperament and potential as he began assessing him.

• Yamana Takuto and Kuga Kai brought Epiphaneia to the remote testing facility and completed the paperwork before preparing him.
• Kenichi Ikezoe arrived after Koichi Sasaki invited him to help with the test, despite needing to return for races in Kyoto.
• Ikezoe examined Epiphaneia and noticed his resemblance to Symboli Kris S and Special Week, while Epiphaneia snorted at him.
• Ikezoe mounted Epiphaneia, who became restless, and Yamana Takuto briefed Ikezoe on the horse's past behavior.
• Ikezoe studied Epiphaneia's fierce competitive streak and concluded that he would need extra preparation before racing.

Kenichi Ikezoe tested Epiphaneia, also called Divine Might, and struggled to control the powerful colt when he tried to race a rival horse. The colt passed his test on the first attempt, and Koichi learned that Ikezoe expected dinner as thanks.

• Kenichi Ikezoe began Epiphaneia's test at the testing grounds while Kuga Kai and Yamana Takuto waited and contacted Koichi.
• Epiphaneia accelerated strongly out of the gate, then fought Ikezoe's reins when he noticed the other horse drawing alongside.
• Ikezoe gave up trying to restrain Epiphaneia, who unleashed a powerful burst and crossed the finish line first.
• Koichi played video games with Saki Ikegami while Ikezoe completed the test.
• Koichi received word that Divine Might had passed on his first try, and he learned Ikezoe wanted him to pay for dinner.

Koichi reviewed the ranch’s plans and then met with Kenichi Ikezoe and Ryuji Wada to discuss the upcoming Tenno Sho and its leading contenders. The jockeys left the outcome open as Golden Masterpiece faced a difficult 3,200-meter race against Triumph Ballet and other familiar rivals.

• Koichi reviewed the ranch’s finances and considered buying broodmares to gradually expand its horse-racing business.
• Kenichi Ikezoe asked Koichi to let him ride Epiphaneia in his debut, and Koichi agreed to discuss it with Trainer Mitsumori.
• Koichi treated Kenichi Ikezoe and Ryuji Wada to dinner as they discussed the Tenno Sho jockey changes and Golden Masterpiece’s rivals.
• Koichi said the Tenno Sho would depend on how the horses performed over 3,200 meters, while Golden Masterpiece remained the favorite despite his uncertain condition.
• Kenichi Ikezoe and Ryuji Wada urged Koichi to keep dinner modest because they still had races that weekend.

Koichi prepared for the Tenno Sho while balancing race work, training, and new media attention after the Satsuki Sho. He planned to visit Gold Ship at her ranch the next day and Golden Masterpiece the following week.

• Koichi saw a Tenno Sho poster featuring Golden Masterpiece, Triumph Ballet, and Japan Jordan, then continued his busy work and training schedule at Tokyo Racecourse.
• Saki Ikegami told Koichi that a TV production team had invited him and Yuichi Fukunaga to discuss the Satsuki Sho, and Koichi agreed to appear.
• Koichi and Saki watched dogs at a park after their run, and Koichi said his jockey schedule made it difficult to keep a dog.
• Koichi decided to take the train to visit Gold Ship at the ranch the next day and planned to see Golden Masterpiece the following Wednesday.
• People recognized Koichi as Gold Ship's jockey from the Satsuki Sho, so he picked up his pace while running back with Saki.