Chapter Summaries

Koichi Sasaki celebrated winning the Dubai Classic with Gentildonna and watched the final race and fireworks with Yutaka Take and Saki Ikegami. The night ended at a Sunday Club dinner, where Koichi was the guest of honor.

• The Sunday Club president congratulated Koichi Sasaki and discussed plans for the second half of the year, including Gentildonna's potential Takarazuka Kinen meeting with Gold Ship.
• Koichi and Saki Ikegami reviewed their travel schedule before Koichi returned to the jockeys' room to watch the final race with Yutaka Take.
• Koichi discussed his race-day form with Yutaka Take as they watched the last race.
• After the races, Koichi and Saki watched the fireworks, and Koichi checked the congratulatory news and messages about his win.
• Koichi attended the Sunday Club dinner with his agent, where he was celebrated as the guest of honor.

While shopping in Dubai, Koichi Sasaki met a new horse owner who hoped to work with him, then prepared to fly home with Yutaka Take and Saki Ikegami. He planned to rest in Tokyo before returning to the Training Center and preparing for the upcoming races.

• Koichi Sasaki took photos with fans while shopping, and one young man told him he had bought two racehorses because of him.
• Koichi told Saki Ikegami that he might work with the new owner if his horses proved good enough.
• Koichi and Yutaka Take discussed returning to Japan and preparing for their next races at Dubai Airport.
• Saki Ikegami told Koichi and Yutaka Take that boarding had begun, and they headed for their flight home.

Koichi spent a quiet day at home and in nearby parks after returning from Dubai, reflecting on his career and enjoying time off. He planned to visit the Training Center the next day to see his horses and meet Megumi Mitsumori.

• Koichi cleaned his house, displayed his new trophy, cooked lunch, and played games on his day off.
• Koichi thought about his future goals as a jockey and Black North and Man o' War’s upcoming training.
• Koichi took his camera to Yoyogi Park, where a dog owner congratulated him on winning the Dubai Classic and told him her son idolized him.
• Koichi discussed plans with Saki Ikegami and prepared to travel to the Training Center the next day to see his three racehorses and meet Megumi Mitsumori.

Koichi visited Megumi Mitsumori's stable after returning from Dubai and checked on Gold Ship, Man o' War, and Epiphaneia. Man o' War continued preparing for his Starting Gate Exam, while Koichi planned to work Epiphaneia before his upcoming race.

• Koichi greeted Gold Ship, who had been training intensely for the Tenno Sho, and heard that Extraordinary Steed posed a major threat over long distances.
• Koichi checked on Man o' War, and Megumi Mitsumori reported that he was training well for the Starting Gate Exam but had a somewhat weak constitution.
• Koichi and Megumi agreed to avoid rushing Man o' War into frequent races and to focus on mile distances after he passed the exam.
• Koichi gave Man o' War a carrot and met the staff caring for him.
• Koichi reunited with Epiphaneia, whom Megumi Mitsumori called Divine Might, and arranged to take him for a workout gallop the next day.
• Megumi invited Koichi to lunch and planned to hear about his Dubai trip.

Koichi returned to racing in Japan after drawing the Inside-Track Breakthrough skill, then learned in his first dirt race that using it carelessly could leave him trapped. He regained his form over the next two races, narrowly missing a win in the final race of the day.

• Koichi attended a dinner with horse owners and later used his lucky draws, receiving fruit and the Inside-Track Breakthrough skill.
• Koichi returned to the Training Center and spent Thursday and Friday preparing for his first races back in Japan.
• Koichi was boxed in during his first dirt race and failed when he attempted an inside-track breakthrough.
• Koichi showed stronger performances over his next two races, with Mighty Arm giving him an advantage on dirt.
• Koichi finished the final race just a head behind the winner, easing his fans' worries about a possible slump.

Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori discussed preparations for the Satsuki Sho and Tenno Sho, with lingering concerns about Gold Ship’s condition and strong rivals. Koichi later visited Gold Ship and Man o' War at the stable.

• Miss Ayu won the Oka Sho, while Koichi finished sixth aboard the Japan family's horse and expected to ride a different horse in the Oaks.
• Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori discussed Epiphaneia’s fitness, the Satsuki Sho field, and possible tactics against Flagship.
• Megumi Mitsumori worried about Gold Ship’s first attempt at thirty-two hundred meters and his fluctuating condition, while Koichi admitted he felt less confident about the Tenno Sho after Extraordinary Steed emerged.
• Koichi accepted pastries from Mirai outside Gold Ship’s stall, and Gold Ship came over asking for a treat.
• Mirai fetched Gold Ship an apple, and Koichi later checked on Man o' War and noticed how much sturdier he had become.

Koichi trained Man o' War and Gold Ship, then discussed Man o' War's potential with Megumi Mitsumori over breakfast. He left for Tokyo, planning to discuss his schedule with his agent while riding the Shinkansen.

• Koichi took Man o' War and Gold Ship to morning training, riding Man o' War first and noting his sharp reactions and speed.
• Yamana Takuto told Koichi that Mirai had gone to buy him breakfast, while Gold Ship searched for his missing sidekick.
• Koichi watched Mirai bathe Gold Ship at Megumi Mitsumori's stable and told Megumi that Man o' War seemed suited to races between 1,400 and 1,600 meters.
• Megumi said she had arranged for Black North to begin regular training soon, and Koichi prepared to leave for Tokyo.

Epiphaneia completed a strong final workout gallop before the Satsuki Sho, and Koichi Sasaki discussed the coming race with Christophe Lemaire and the press. After reviewing race information with Megumi Mitsumori and the team, Koichi proposed a new tactic, which they tentatively agreed to try.

• Epiphaneia accelerated past his workout partner during his final gallop, impressing Koichi and the assistant with his improved condition.
• Koichi told Kuga Kai to take Epiphaneia back to rest, then ran into Christophe Lemaire and discussed the upcoming Satsuki Sho.
• In an interview, Koichi said he hoped to beat the rivals and win, while noting that Flagship's running style and tactics had to be taken seriously.
• Koichi checked on Epiphaneia at the stable, then reviewed workout reports and race information with Megumi Mitsumori and the team.
• Koichi proposed a new race tactic suited to Epiphaneia's stall, and the team tentatively agreed to try it.

Ayano Aoe's team planned how to challenge Koichi Sasaki and Epiphaneia in the Satsuki Sho, while Koichi prepared for the race and dismissed predictions that favored Epiphaneia. The chapter left both sides ready for the weekend contest, with Koichi keeping his intended tactics secret.

• Ayano Aoe and Flagship's trainer discussed Epiphaneia's likely pace-running style and agreed they needed to pressure Divine Might Knight early.
• Ayano Aoe encouraged Christophe Lemaire to let Flagship show his ability, while the team voiced confidence in their chances against Koichi Sasaki.
• Christophe Lemaire told his younger brother that Koichi was a genius but that no jockey was unbeatable, and they looked forward to the Satsuki Sho.
• Koichi trained for the weekend race as Saki Ikegami brought groceries and told him that predictions favored Epiphaneia.
• Koichi said he believed Flagship could match Epiphaneia and that the race would depend on their performances, while he kept his tactics undisclosed.

Koichi prepared for the Satsuki Sho, hoping to challenge Christophe Lemaire and Flagship with Epiphaneia. The chapter ended as Megumi Mitsumori and Koichi waited for their horses to race, with Epiphaneia’s one-shot opportunity in the classic weighing on her mind.

• Koichi won two races on Saturday and spent the evening resting before the Satsuki Sho.
• Koichi met Ryuji Wada, Yuichi Fukunaga, and Yutaka Take at the racecourse and said he wanted to pressure his rivals with wins in earlier races.
• Megumi Mitsumori watched Epiphaneia at the racecourse and found him in good condition, while Mirai stayed at the Training Center to monitor Gold Ship.
• Megumi Mitsumori told the other trainers she hoped Epiphaneia could beat Flagship, though she was unsure about Koichi’s new tactics.
• Megumi Mitsumori waited for Koichi to ride two of her horses, including Epiphaneia in the afternoon’s Satsuki Sho.

Epiphaneia and Flagship arrived at Nakayama Racecourse as the leading contenders for the Satsuki Sho, and Epiphaneia searched for Koichi before settling down when he found him. Koichi mounted Epiphaneia as the race approached, while Ayano Aoe watched from the VIP room, leaving the outcome of the showdown undecided.

• Kuga Kai led Epiphaneia around the paddock, where Epiphaneia searched for Koichi and calmed down after spotting him.
• Commentators introduced Flagship as the favorite and highlighted the anticipated clash between the two-year-old champion and unbeaten Epiphaneia.
• Koichi waited near the entrance, then mounted Epiphaneia and told him he was counting on him for the race.
• Kuga Kai led Epiphaneia toward the course, and Koichi waved to Megumi Mitsumori before the Satsuki Sho began.
• Ayano Aoe watched from the VIP room with Fujitani Kotomi and said they would see which horse became the fastest three-year-old.

Epiphaneia broke sharply in the 73rd Satsuki Sho, and Koichi Sasaki unexpectedly took the lead and controlled the pace. As the field passed the second turn, Epiphaneia remained in front, and Ayano Aoe wondered whether they could lead all the way.

• Epiphaneia and Koichi Sasaki completed their final preparations as the eighteen horses entered the starting stalls.
• Epiphaneia made the best break, and Koichi urged him forward to claim the lead.
• Mr. Richard followed Epiphaneia in second while Flagship settled in the middle of the pack.
• Koichi controlled Epiphaneia’s pace as the field passed the second turn with Epiphaneia still leading.
• Ayano Aoe watched Epiphaneia and Koichi on the screen and wondered whether they could hold the lead to the finish.

Koichi Sasaki and Epiphaneia won the Satsuki Sho with a controlled front-running strategy, holding off Flagship in a close finish. After celebrating the victory, Koichi looked ahead to facing Yutaka Take and Deep Bond in the Derby.

• Epiphaneia led the field at a measured pace as the horses accelerated into the final turn and straight.
• Flagship charged up from midpack while Ryuji Wada, Yutaka Take, Masayoshi Ubaname, and Norihiro Yokoyama also pursued the leaders.
• Koichi Sasaki drove Epiphaneia through the final stretch, and Epiphaneia narrowly beat Flagship to win the Satsuki Sho and secure four consecutive victories.
• Password finished third, Kaminogahara fourth, Ryuji Wada fifth, and Yutaka Take sixth.
• Yutaka Take praised Koichi Sasaki's bold strategy, while Koichi anticipated facing Deep Bond in the Derby.

Koichi Sasaki guided Epiphaneia to his first Grade 1 victory in the Satsuki Sho with a slow-paced front-running strategy. After the interview and awards ceremony, Epiphaneia was taken to rest before preparations for the Derby began.

• Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori agreed that Epiphaneia would rest at a nearby ranch before returning to training for the Derby.
• Koichi told reporters that his team had planned the slow-paced front-running strategy together after learning Epiphaneia’s post position.
• Race coverage showed that Koichi had controlled the pace and beaten Flagship and Christophe Lemaire on the final straight.
• Koichi and Megumi attended the awards ceremony after their clean sweep in the Satsuki Sho.
• Epiphaneia rested his chin on Koichi’s shoulder during the photos, then Kuga Kai and Megumi took him away to rest.

Koichi discussed his proposed project with Ayano Aoe and assessed Black North’s development, then prepared for the Tenno Sho and the upcoming races at Tokyo Racecourse. The chapter left Koichi resting before the week’s training and considering a trip to Hokkaido to check on Black North and Golden Masterpiece.

• Koichi hosted Ayano Aoe and the others after Flagship finished second, and Ayano shared progress on seeking approval for Koichi’s proposed project.
• Koichi and Ayano discussed Black North’s slow adjustment to training and Koichi’s confidence that the horse could improve as he matured.
• Ayano encouraged Koichi to look for a promising two-year-old, while Koichi accepted that luck and jockey changes could affect his chances.
• Koichi dismissed renewed media criticism ahead of the Tenno Sho and said he would ride Gold Ship despite doubts about winning.
• Saki Ikegami outlined the week’s schedule, including the Tenno Sho, Epiphaneia’s Derby, and efforts to find Koichi a mount for the Oaks.
• Koichi looked forward to racing near home and considered visiting Black North and Golden Masterpiece in Hokkaido.

Koichi joined senior jockeys at Tokyo Racecourse for a test ride on its newly maintained turf, gathering impressions ahead of the Oaks and Derby. Afterward, he discussed his upcoming travel and the spring Tenno Sho, where Gold Ship would face Extraordinary Steed.

• Koichi rode with Yutaka Take, Yuichi Fukunaga, Kenichi Ikezoe, and other jockeys to assess Tokyo Racecourse's turf during a live broadcast.
• The jockeys completed a relaxed lap, with Koichi setting the pace and noting that the long final straight made front-running difficult.
• The jockeys shared mixed impressions of the surface, and they chose Yutaka Take to handle the interview.
• Koichi agreed to lunch with the others and said he would travel to Kyoto for two days the following week.
• Koichi and Masayoshi Ubaname discussed Gold Ship's upcoming spring Tenno Sho clash with Extraordinary Steed, and Koichi considered how to keep the horses from fighting.

After the Satsuki Sho, Koichi Sasaki joined fellow jockeys for a meal and workout, then returned home to use his remaining lucky draws. He obtained a Track Card and a Man o' War-exclusive Bridle, and Saki Ikegami arranged his dinner.

• Koichi Sasaki, Yutaka Take, Yuichi Fukunaga, and Norihiro Yokoyama discussed racehorse ownership and Deep Bond's plans for a Derby prep and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
• Koichi told the others he would return to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe if he got a ride, while Yuichi Fukunaga declined the idea of going.
• The jockeys trained together at the gym before Koichi went home and used his ten remaining lucky draws.
• Koichi's final draws gave him a Track Card and a Bridle exclusive to Man o' War, whom he planned to give it along with Healing Medicine.
• Saki Ikegami messaged Koichi that she had ordered dinner and it would soon be delivered to his apartment.

Koichi visited Man o' War and Epiphaneia before taking Gold Ship to train for the Tenno Sho. Gold Ship completed his workout gallop, but Koichi saw that his form had declined since the Hanshin Daishoten.

• Koichi delivered a bridle to Man o' War's stablehand and encouraged Man o' War as he ate.
• Koichi visited Epiphaneia, who had returned and was recovering while gradually increasing his training load.
• Yamana Takuto told Koichi that four-year-old Gold Ship had become difficult to train and often refused to cooperate.
• Koichi mounted Gold Ship and took him to the workout gallop, holding him back when he tried to follow horses returning from work.
• Gold Ship accelerated past another Tenno Sho entrant during the workout gallop, but Koichi judged his form worse than it had been at the Hanshin Daishoten.

Koichi Sasaki discussed Gold Ship’s prospects and possible tactics for the Spring Tenno Sho, while the team worried that Gold Ship’s preparation lagged behind Extraordinary Steed’s. The race remained ahead, and the team began preparing for it as Gold Ship rested at the stable.

• Koichi Sasaki told an interviewer that Gold Ship’s workout had gone well, though he had no settled race tactics and hoped to avoid another high step at the start.
• Koichi named Extraordinary Steed and Masayoshi Ubaname as the rivals he took most seriously for the Spring Tenno Sho.
• Saki Ikegami and Megumi Mitsumori discussed Gold Ship’s weak workout results and Extraordinary Steed’s strong form while Gold Ship rolled around in the stable.
• Mirai brought Gold Ship carrots, and Gold Ship ate them before settling down to rest.
• Saki said Koichi was returning from the interview, and Megumi went with her to prepare the race information while Mirai watched Gold Ship.

Koichi and the team prepared Gold Ship for the Tenno Sho despite his erratic condition, fitting him with extensive tack to keep him under control. As the race began, Megumi Mitsumori watched anxiously, expecting little and hoping Gold Ship would finish safely.

• Koichi's Saturday wins failed to lift his spirits because Gold Ship's condition remained unstable ahead of Sunday's race.
• Gold Ship wore a full set of tack and became agitated when he spotted Extraordinary Steed in the Parade Ring, but Mirai and Yamana Takuto calmed him.
• Koichi told Yamana Takuto to keep Gold Ship away from the other horse during the warm-up and said he would not force him if he could not manage the race.
• Koichi mounted Gold Ship as the horses and jockeys set out for the Spring Shield, the longest domestic Grade 1 race.
• Megumi Mitsumori chose to watch from the nearby area with her blood pressure medication ready, while Ayano Aoe doubted Gold Ship could beat Extraordinary Steed in his current condition.