Chapter Summaries

With the Derby three days away, Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori discussed how Gold Ship should race and which rivals to watch. They left the meeting preparing for a clean break and a forward position, while Koichi planned to avoid trouble with other jockeys.

• Koichi fed carrots to Gold Ship and One-Way Passage, encouraging Gold Ship to beat his stablemate in the upcoming race.
• Koichi agreed to have dinner with Megumi Mitsumori and discuss the Derby strategy.
• Koichi met Mirai and Yamana Takuto, then returned to prepare for the race and meet the others that evening.
• Over hot pot, Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori discussed positioning Gold Ship near the front and watching rivals including World Ace and Gorgeous Glory.
• Megumi Mitsumori warned Koichi not to antagonize other jockeys, and he agreed to keep his distance unless provoked.

Koichi raced at Tokyo Racecourse on Saturday as he worked toward his 100th Win. He won a close dirt race, earning his first victory of the week and moving nearer to the milestone.

• Megumi Mitsumori and Mirai watched Koichi prepare for his race at Tokyo Racecourse.
• Megumi and Mirai spotted Koichi on horse number five and discussed how his dirt-racing experience had improved.
• Koichi made an early move during the race as his horse accelerated in the latter half of the third turn.
• Koichi edged out Yuichi Fukunaga by a nose and raised his arm after securing the win.
• Yuichi exchanged a high five with Koichi, who patted his horse and reflected that it had nearly run out of strength.

After Koichi won three races on the first day, Ikezoe and Yutaka Take offered to celebrate when he reached his 100th win, and he prepared for the next day’s Derby. Meanwhile, Mirai and Yamana watched over Gold Ship before his race, leaving him alone in his stall for the evening.

• Koichi finished the first day with three wins, and Ikezoe praised his performance.
• Ikezoe offered to hold up the sign for Koichi’s 100th win, and Yutaka Take agreed to present the commemorative gift.
• Koichi returned to the hotel exhausted, where Saki made him eat dinner and confirmed preparations for the Derby and Meguro Memorial.
• Mirai checked on Gold Ship and discussed the upcoming Derby and One-Way Passage’s recovery.
• Yamana and Mirai finished caring for Gold Ship and left him alone in his stall for the night.

Koichi Sasaki closed in on his 100th win while resting between races, and Gold Ship set out for the Derby alongside One-Way Passage. The chapter ended as Gold Ship prepared to enter the racecourse, determined to perform well in front of its friend.

• Koichi Sasaki returned to the lounge after finishing sixth, drank water from Saki Ikegami, and rested before his afternoon rides.
• Koichi Sasaki chatted with Kenichi Ikezoe about the Derby, then asked his agent to contact Mirai about Gold Ship.
• Gold Ship discovered One-Way Passage was accompanying it to work for the first time, and the two walked together toward the racecourse.
• Yamana Takuto told Mirai that Koichi Sasaki had won another race and needed only the Derby to reach his 100th victory.
• Mirai checked Gold Ship's equipment as the staff prepared to enter, and Gold Ship resolved to put in a strong performance.

The Derby field entered as commentators discussed the favorites and their prospects. Koichi prepared Gold Ship for the race, while Shinichi Akiyama was told to have One-Way Passage follow Gold Ship's pace.

• World Ace, Gorgeous Glory, Grand Colt, Extraordinary Steed, Gold Ship, One-Way Passage, and the other runners entered as commentators reviewed the field and its favorites.
• Commentators discussed Alfrey's distance challenge and doubted that he could handle the Derby after the NHK.
• Koichi watched Gold Ship's condition and prepared to use a secret item card to help him win the Derby.
• Megumi Mitsumori encouraged Koichi before the race, and Koichi said they would succeed if they followed their tactics.
• Tetsuya Futawatari instructed Shinichi Akiyama to make One-Way Passage follow Gold Ship's pace, and Shinichi agreed.

During the warm-up, Gold Ship picked a fight with Extraordinary Steed, forcing Koichi and the race staff to calm him down. The commotion ended, and the commentators turned their attention to two horses preparing to break clear of the field.

• Megumi Mitsumori waited with Mirai and Yamana Takuto near the course in case anything went wrong.
• Gold Ship and One-Way Passage entered the course, and One-Way Passage noticed a gray horse before Shinichi Akiyama tugged him back to focus.
• Gold Ship challenged Extraordinary Steed near the starting stalls, and One-Way Passage joined his show of intimidation.
• Koichi restrained Gold Ship while Megumi Mitsumori and the staff hurried over to prevent a fight.
• Gold Ship settled down and resumed warming up, and the commentators discussed the incident and the two horses preparing to lead the race.

Gold Ship made a sharp break in the Tokyo Yushun and secured a pressing position near the front under Koichi Sasaki. After the first turn, he settled into the fast pace behind Gorgeous Glory, with the race still underway.

• Koichi Sasaki loaded Gold Ship into stall six and prepared to use the Gold Ship Breaks from the Gate skill card.
• Gold Ship burst out of the gates and Koichi drove him forward, taking the lead at the start.
• Koichi edged Gold Ship inward and held a pressing position as Yasuo Iwata moved Gorgeous Glory ahead of him.
• Yuga Kawada led a runaway attempt after the first turn, while Gold Ship settled behind Gorgeous Glory alongside Grand Colt.
• Koichi maintained Gold Ship's rhythm as One-Way Passage followed behind and World Ace remained toward the back.

Koichi Sasaki sent Gold Ship accelerating before the final straight, forcing the other leading contenders to begin their runs early. Gold Ship broke clear as World Ace and the rest of the field pursued, while Yuga Kawada’s breakaway attempt faltered.

• Yuga Kawada kept Zealous well ahead of the field, but the pursuers gradually closed the gap.
• Koichi Sasaki moved Gold Ship forward before the straight, and One-Way Passage accelerated alongside them.
• Gold Ship broke out of the pressing group, drawing the other jockeys into action.
• Yuichi Fukunaga accelerated World Ace, while Yasuo Iwata, Kenichi Ikezoe, Masayoshi Ubaname, and others also began their runs.
• Yuga Kawada struggled to urge Zealous onward and saw Gold Ship charging up as the breakaway failed.

Gold Ship and Koichi Sasaki won the Japanese Derby, completing an undefeated Double Crown and giving Koichi his hundredth career victory. After the race, Koichi congratulated the other jockeys and led the exhausted Gold Ship back through the cheering grandstand.

• Koichi timed Gold Ship’s final burst as Gold Ship and Gorgeous Glory battled at the front, while World Ace charged from behind.
• Gold Ship overtook Gorgeous Glory in the final stretch, and Koichi used the Windmill Whip to help him pull clear.
• Gold Ship crossed the finish line first, completing the Double Crown and earning Koichi Sasaki his hundredth win.
• Yuichi Fukunaga congratulated Koichi after World Ace finished behind the leaders, while Kenichi Ikezoe and Yutaka Take acknowledged their disappointing results.
• Koichi praised Extraordinary Steed, then led the tired Gold Ship past the cheering spectators and back down the passage.

Koichi Sasaki celebrated Gold Ship’s Derby victory and his 100th career win, then prepared to return to racing while Gold Ship headed back to the stable. The chapter left Koichi with the Meguro Memorial and his 100-win ceremony still ahead.

• Koichi discussed Gold Ship’s Derby victory with the host and announced his hopes of winning the Kikuka Sho and competing in the Arima Kinen.
• Koichi thanked his fans after they congratulated him on reaching 100 career wins.
• Koichi met Megumi Mitsumori and the others, accepted the Derby certificate and trophy, and posed for photographs with Gold Ship.
• Koichi said goodbye as Mirai and Yamana Takuto took Gold Ship back, leaving Koichi to prepare for his next race and the 100-win ceremony.

After Gold Ship won, Koichi Sasaki prepared for his 100-win ceremony and final race of the day, while Megumi Mitsumori and Ayano Aoe discussed his future rides and Golden Masterpiece’s upcoming Takarazuka Kinen. They agreed to celebrate with Koichi that evening, as Ayano’s team continued preparing to announce Golden Masterpiece’s regular jockey.

• Megumi Mitsumori reflected on Gold Ship’s strong performance, while Koichi Sasaki left to rest before his remaining race.
• Saki Ikegami gave Koichi fresh gear and arranged his 100-win ceremony, and he thanked her for her support before heading to the jockeys’ waiting room.
• The jockeys congratulated Koichi on his Derby ride and his 100 wins.
• Megumi Mitsumori invited Ayano Aoe to Koichi’s celebration, and Ayano agreed to attend with her assistant.
• Ayano Aoe said her team would announce Golden Masterpiece’s regular jockey at the right time, ahead of the Takarazuka Kinen.

After winning his 100th race, Koichi Sasaki waited for Masayoshi Ubaname’s Meguro Memorial ceremony to finish before taking the stage for his own celebration. Yutaka Take presented him with a commemorative plush horse and encouraged him to keep working, as Koichi prepared to address the crowd.

• Masayoshi Ubaname won the Meguro Memorial while Koichi Sasaki reached 100 career wins and prepared for his ceremony.
• Koichi waited in his Sunday Club silks while Saki Ikegami checked the preparations and he greeted fans.
• After the Meguro Memorial ceremony, Kenichi Ikezoe brought Koichi the sign, and leading jockeys gathered to support him.
• Koichi jogged to the stage, where the host reviewed his career record and Yutaka Take presented him with a 100-win plush horse.
• Yutaka Take praised Koichi’s rapid progress and warned that the storm over his decision to ride Golden Masterpiece was still ahead; Koichi accepted the gift and prepared to speak.

After Koichi celebrated his 100th win with a ceremony, he joined his friends for a meal and discussed the horses’ plans and his June race schedule. Gold Ship was set to rest before returning to Hokkai Ranch, while Koichi prepared to focus on the Takarazuka Kinen.

• Koichi gave a speech at his 100-win ceremony, thanked his supporters, and said he would keep working hard.
• After greeting the other jockeys, Koichi changed out of his Racing Silks and joined Megumi Mitsumori, Ayano Aoe, Saki Ikegami, Mirai, and Yamana Takuto.
• Saki Ikegami arranged a celebratory dinner, where Koichi eagerly ate after a day of racing.
• Ayano Aoe and Saki Ikegami discussed Koichi’s June races, including practice at Hanshin Racecourse ahead of the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Megumi Mitsumori discussed Gold Ship’s care with Mirai, as Gold Ship prepared to rest before returning to Hokkai Ranch.

Koichi and Saki Ikegami prepared to leave Tokyo for the Hanshin area while Gold Ship and One-Way Passage flew back to Hokkaido. Gold Ship arrived safely at Hokkai Ranch, where Mirai settled him into his stall for dinner and rest.

• Koichi watched Gold Ship and One-Way Passage board a plane bound for Hokkaido and agreed to travel to the Training Center with Megumi Mitsumori.
• Koichi and Saki Ikegami planned to take the Shinkansen to Osaka that afternoon, with Megumi Mitsumori joining them.
• Gold Ship and One-Way Passage arrived at Hokkai Ranch in the evening, and Haruki Kuchiki welcomed them back.
• Mirai led Gold Ship to his cleaned stall, gave him a carrot, and went to fetch his dinner.

Mirai returned Gold Ship to his paddock at Hokkai Ranch, while Koichi visited the Training Center and learned he would be Golden Masterpiece’s regular jockey. The staff also discussed finding a suitable jockey for Epiphaneia, who perked up when Megumi Mitsumori mentioned Sasaki.

• Mirai took Gold Ship to his lush paddock, where he and One-Way Passage resumed their familiar routine of running together.
• Koichi met Hitachi Yosuke at the Training Center and confirmed he would ride Golden Masterpiece in the upcoming crucial race.
• Koichi greeted Golden Masterpiece during training and was pleased to see his condition and cooperation had improved.
• Saki Ikegami and Megumi Mitsumori discussed having Kenichi Ikezoe try riding Epiphaneia, with Sasaki as a backup.
• Megumi Mitsumori told Epiphaneia to cooperate because Sasaki would visit, and Epiphaneia pricked up his ears at Sasaki’s name.

Koichi visited Epiphaneia and discussed the horse’s persistent dislike of having other racehorses ahead of him with Megumi Mitsumori. After spending time with Epiphaneia, Koichi planned a ranch visit and continued preparing for the Takarazuka Kinen with Golden Masterpiece.

• Koichi hugged Epiphaneia after training, and Megumi Mitsumori told him the horse still hated having other racehorses ahead of him.
• Koichi and Megumi agreed to update Ikezoe about Epiphaneia’s temperament before his debut race, while Koichi left open the possibility of riding him later in the season.
• Koichi told Saki Ikegami that Golden Masterpiece was improving and should be ready for the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Koichi fed Epiphaneia a carrot and gave him a massage while Saki recorded them.
• Koichi and Saki planned to visit the ranch in Hokkaido the following week before Koichi left Epiphaneia to rest.

Koichi returned to Hokkai Ranch for a short break, visited Gold Ship and met Black North again. He invited Mirai to join him and Saki Ikegami on a trip around Hokkaido, while Black North continued growing under Sweetie’s care.

• Koichi arrived at Hokkai Ranch and watched Gold Ship and One-Way Passage play in the pasture.
• Mirai greeted Koichi, and he invited her to join him and Saki Ikegami on a drive around Hokkaido the next day.
• Koichi and Mirai visited Black North and saw that the three-month-old foal had begun getting teeth and was growing more energetic.
• Black North played around Sweetie, drank milk, and quickly fell asleep as Koichi and Mirai watched.

Koichi spent the evening brushing Gold Ship and watching him eat, then discussed his plans and the ranch’s broodmares over dinner with Mirai and Haruki Kuchiki. He planned to look around the next day before returning to Osaka, while his summer schedule and the future of the foals remained undecided.

• Koichi brushed Gold Ship after the horse returned from the pasture, and Mirai declined his suggestion to put a blanket on him in the summer heat.
• Gold Ship soaked his hay in water before eating, while One-Way Passage ate beside him.
• Koichi told Haruki Kuchiki that he would look around the next day and fly back to Osaka the day after.
• Mirai asked whether Koichi would ride Golden Masterpiece in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and Koichi said he was not yet considered ready for the race.
• Koichi and Haruki discussed their two broodmares, noting that both were doing well and that one foal might be sold to buy proven racehorses.

Koichi used his Derby reward to draw a Foreign Stable Invitation, making a summer trip to Europe easier to arrange. Saki Ikegami learned that Haruki Kuchiki had already found a foreign stable and agreed to pass the information to Koichi.

• Koichi weighed the sacrifices a European trip would require and decided to leave the arrangements to Saki Ikegami.
• Koichi used his Derby draws and received supplies, an Experience Book, a Track Card, and a Foreign Stable Invitation.
• Koichi planned to discuss the invitation with Saki Ikegami and focus on preparing for the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Saki Ikegami received a message from Haruki Kuchiki saying he had found a foreign stable for Koichi.
• Saki Ikegami agreed to relay the information and supported Koichi's plan to visit Europe.

Koichi discussed plans to train in Europe and enjoyed a day trip to Otaru with Mirai and Saki Ikegami. After Golden Masterpiece’s jockey announcement sparked controversy, Koichi remained confident as they returned to the ranch, where public opinion was divided.

• Koichi told Mirai and Saki Ikegami that he planned to apply for summer training in Europe, while Mirai chose to stay at the ranch and care for Gold Ship.
• Koichi, Mirai, and Saki Ikegami explored Otaru and ate fresh seafood by the harbor.
• Koichi checked messages about Golden Masterpiece’s jockey announcement, which had become a trending topic and drawn criticism over his experience.
• Saki Ikegami said she would handle the controversy and left to deal with related matters while Koichi and Mirai rested.
• The group returned to the ranch, where people online argued over Golden Masterpiece choosing Koichi Sasaki again.