Chapter Summaries

Gold Ship refused to accelerate in the final stretch of the Tenno Sho, and Extraordinary Steed defeated her for his first Grade 1 victory. Gold Ship finished fourth, leaving Koichi disappointed as she treated the race as a chance to slack off.

• Koichi urged Gold Ship forward from the starting gates, and she settled into the middle of the pack as Satono Tree Man took the lead.
• Extraordinary Steed and Sun God Steed began their final push while Gold Ship approached the sweeping turn behind them.
• Gold Ship ignored Koichi's repeated whip cues and maintained her pace instead of accelerating.
• Extraordinary Steed won the Tenno Sho by a length and a half, with Sun God Steed second, Red Gift third, and Gold Ship fourth.
• Koichi accepted the disappointing result as Gold Ship slowed down and decided she was tired and ready to slack off.

Gold Ship refused to accelerate and finished fourth in the spring Tenno Sho, leaving Koichi Sasaki to face criticism despite the horse being healthy. Gold Ship began a month of rest before preparing for the Takarazuka Kinen, where he would face Gentildonna.

• Gold Ship lost the spring Tenno Sho after refusing to pick up speed on the final straight, and online commenters blamed Koichi Sasaki.
• Koichi and Ayano Aoe confirmed Gold Ship was healthy, while Megumi Mitsumori remained shaken by his poor performance.
• Koichi and Ayano planned to rest Gold Ship for a month before the Takarazuka Kinen, his final race of the first half of the year.
• Megumi invited Koichi and Ayano to dinner, and Gold Ship ate before settling down to rest and resolve to try harder next time.
• Koichi returned to Tokyo Racecourse as Gold Ship went to a nearby farm for pasture rest; Koichi's next races included the NHK Cup, the Oaks, and the Derby.

Koichi Sasaki rode Gaia City in the NHK Mile Cup, finishing third after leading much of the race but getting caught by the late closers. He reviewed the race with Yuichi Fukunaga and headed home, reflecting on how close he was to his 200th win.

• Koichi Sasaki entered the NHK Mile Cup on Gaia City and followed the trainer’s instructions to secure an early position while watching Yuichi Fukunaga.
• Fukunaga took the lead, and Koichi drove Gaia City forward in the straight with Mighty Arm and Windmill Whip.
• Late closers passed Gaia City near the finish, but Koichi’s mount held on for third place as a longshot won.
• Koichi thanked the trainer and discussed the race’s pace with Fukunaga on the way back to the jockeys’ room.
• Koichi went home with Saki Ikegami and noted that his 200th win would likely have to wait until June.

After the Oaks, Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori planned for Epiphaneia’s Derby, weighing how the draw and rival tactics could exploit his competitive temperament. Koichi visited Man o' War and Epiphaneia at the Training Center before the Derby, while Megumi continued managing her growing stable and its jockey connections.

• Koichi competed in the Oaks, which Koshiro Take won, then took a day off before heading to the Training Center.
• Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori discussed how Deep Bond, Flagship, and other rivals might box in Epiphaneia or provoke him during the Derby, and agreed to reconsider tactics after the draw.
• Koichi and Megumi discussed Gold Ship’s recovery and noted that Gold Ship had placed second in the Takarazuka Kinen voting behind Gentildonna.
• Koichi visited Man o' War, whose condition had improved after taking medicine, and learned that his next race would likely be in July.
• Koichi visited Epiphaneia and urged him to train carefully and avoid injury before their Derby that weekend.
• Koichi toured the stable and saw that Megumi Mitsumori’s growing roster had created challenges in finding accomplished jockeys.

Koichi visited Gold Ship during his pasture rest and looked ahead to the horse’s upcoming Takarazuka Kinen and later Grade 1 targets. That evening, he and the others discussed the stall draw and tactics for the upcoming Derby, where Epiphaneia could face pressure from rival jockeys and trainers.

• Koichi visited Gold Ship at the ranch, brought him a carrot, and reminded him not to fool around in the next race.
• Koichi considered Gold Ship’s prospects for the Takarazuka Kinen, Japan Cup, and Arima Kinen, with Gentildonna posing the toughest challenge.
• Koichi returned from the ranch and prepared for Wednesday’s training with Epiphaneia and other racehorses.
• The group reviewed the stall draw: Deep Bond drew stall one, Epiphaneia drew stall nine, and Flagship drew Gate Eight.
• Koichi and Yamana Takuto expected Flagship to press from the front and discussed keeping Epiphaneia near him.
• Koichi warned that rival jockeys and trainers might deliberately target Epiphaneia, leaving the group concerned about their race strategy.

Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori prepared for the Derby as Epiphaneia left the stable for Tokyo Racecourse on Saturday. Gold Ship returned to training after his rest, while Megumi headed to Kyoto for the day’s races.

• Koichi reviewed Gold Ship’s training schedule and learned he had been booked for the Meguro Memorial after the Derby.
• Koichi returned to Tokyo and saw Derby analysis focus on the uncertain tactics of Epiphaneia and other contenders.
• Kuga Kai and Megumi Mitsumori prepared Epiphaneia for his trip, and the horse transport truck departed for Tokyo Racecourse.
• Gold Ship watched Epiphaneia leave, then received grooming as Mirai and Yamana Takuto prepared for the day.
• Megumi Mitsumori left for Kyoto Racecourse while Mirai promised to eat breakfast properly.

Koichi Sasaki used Saturday’s races to refine his inside-track tactic as Epiphaneia arrived at Tokyo Racecourse for the Derby. On Sunday, Koichi began feeling unwell before the race, but he remained determined to ride Epiphaneia.

• Koichi Sasaki won a Saturday race with his inside-track tactic and impressed the other jockeys with his bold riding.
• Epiphaneia arrived at Tokyo Racecourse, passed his veterinary examination, and settled into his temporary stall under Kuga Kai’s care.
• Koichi Sasaki developed cold symptoms on Sunday, and Saki Ikegami urged him to rest while he prepared for the Derby.
• Yuichi Fukunaga and Ryuji Wada checked on Koichi and kept others from disturbing him as he rested before the race.

On Derby day, Koichi Sasaki felt unwell but chose to ride Epiphaneia rather than withdraw. As the jockeys headed to the race, he and Epiphaneia touched foreheads, and the horse went forward to compete.

• The commentators highlighted Deep Bond's form and Epiphaneia's status as the favorite, while noting that jockeys were likely to target Epiphaneia.
• Megumi Mitsumori and Ayano Aoe noticed Koichi Sasaki was unusually pale and wondered whether his previous race had left him exhausted.
• Koichi emerged shortly before the jockeys entered and said his blood sugar might be low, but insisted he could still ride.
• Koichi and Epiphaneia gently touched foreheads before Koichi mounted with Kuga Kai's help.
• Epiphaneia followed the other horses toward the race as Koichi prepared to guide him.

Koichi rode Epiphaneia in the 80th Tokyo Yushun, trying to conserve his strength as the race began at a fast pace. Epiphaneia was trapped among other horses after the second turn, and Koichi waited for a chance to break free.

• Koichi warmed up Epiphaneia and prepared to race at Tokyo Racecourse, where spectators awaited the Derby.
• All eighteen horses entered the starting stalls, and the 80th Tokyo Yushun began.
• Apollo Sonic and Samson's Pride surged ahead, while Koichi kept Epiphaneia near Flagship in the middle of the pack.
• Koichi held Epiphaneia back as horses around them boxed him in, leaving the agitated horse trapped among the pack.
• After the second turn, Koichi continued waiting for an opening while the field stayed tightly bunched.

Koichi Sasaki broke Epiphaneia free from the pack in the Tokyo Derby, setting up a showdown with Yutaka Take and Gentildonna. With the finish approaching, the race came down to the two rivals charging side by side.

• Koichi Sasaki kept Epiphaneia under control while the other jockeys boxed them in, and Yutaka Take assessed Gentildonna as a strong contender.
• At the Third Turn, Koichi used the horses' outward momentum to force Epiphaneia through a narrow gap and escape the encirclement.
• Yutaka Take sent Gentildonna wide while Christophe Lemaire urged Flagship forward on the inside, though Flagship lacked speed.
• Koichi used Inside-Track Breakthrough and his other skills to drive Epiphaneia through the pack and into the lead.
• With three hundred meters left, Epiphaneia and Gentildonna charged toward the finish as the crowd roared.

Koichi Sasaki and Epiphaneia narrowly defeated Gentildonna to win the Derby, but Koichi collapsed from exhaustion after crossing the finish line. He was treated for low blood sugar and a slight cold, and the chapter ended with him recovering while his friends and Epiphaneia worried over him.

• Koichi Sasaki drove Epiphaneia past Gentildonna by a nose to win the Derby and secure three consecutive Derby victories.
• Koichi blacked out and fell from Epiphaneia after the race, prompting alarm among spectators and staff.
• Epiphaneia drove the approaching horses away and guarded Koichi until Kuga Kai arrived with new reins.
• Koichi regained consciousness, raised his hand to show he was all right, and was taken to the ambulance for treatment.
• Megumi Mitsumori, Ayano Aoe, and Saki Ikegami checked on Koichi as doctors said he had low blood sugar and a slight cold.

After Koichi Sasaki won his third consecutive Derby despite a low-blood-sugar collapse, he attended the ceremony before being examined and sent home to rest. The doctor expected him to recover within two days, leaving him able to ride next week if he took it easy.

• Koichi attended the award ceremony and posed with the exhausted Epiphaneia after his interview and Meguro Memorial ride were canceled.
• Megumi Mitsumori handed Koichi over to Saki Ikegami, who arranged for Yuga Kawada to likely replace him in the Meguro Memorial.
• The doctor examined Koichi and estimated that he would recover fully in about two days, advising him to limit exercise on Wednesday.
• Saki took Koichi by taxi toward home and asked the driver to go slowly while Koichi rested.
• The taxi driver recognized Koichi and got an autograph for his son before Koichi left.

After recovering from his fall, Koichi arranged for the exhausted Epiphaneia to return to Hokkai Ranch for a pasture rest. He visited Epiphaneia before the trip and left him resting, while Gold Ship and Gentildonna continued training for the Takarazuka Kinen.

• Saki Ikegami warned Koichi not to take such risks again, and they discussed his recovery and the upcoming Yasuda Kinen.
• Megumi Mitsumori told Koichi that Divine Might was still exhausted and asked about sending him to Hokkai Ranch for a pasture rest; Koichi agreed.
• Koichi visited Epiphaneia the next morning, thanked him for his effort, and reassured himself that the horse was eating and resting.
• Megumi Mitsumori checked on Epiphaneia, and Koichi confirmed that Hokkai Ranch would arrange to collect him after his flight.

After Epiphaneia returned safely to Hokkai Ranch, Koichi rested before going back to the Training Center to prepare for the next week’s races. Epiphaneia recovered at pasture while Koichi reflected on the Derby and resumed training under the watchful care of those around him.

• Media and fans praised Epiphaneia’s bond with Koichi Sasaki and celebrated their Derby victory.
• Haruki Kuchiki met Epiphaneia at the airport and brought him back to Hokkai Ranch in the ranch’s new transport truck.
• Koichi decided to keep Sweetie and Dream Journey’s newborn filly while selling another broodmare’s foal.
• After resting through Tuesday, Koichi returned to work at the Training Center on Wednesday and watched a video of Epiphaneia recovering at pasture.
• Yuichi Fukunaga urged Koichi to be more cautious after the Derby, and Koichi agreed he had learned from the experience.
• Koichi began preparing for the next week’s races while Saki Ikegami accompanied him and Gold Ship was assigned to someone else for training.

After returning to Hokkai Ranch, Koichi visited Epiphaneia and then watched Black North train at Aoe Training Ranch. He planned to visit Golden Masterpiece at Shadai's Stallion Station the next day before flying back.

• Koichi returned to Hokkai Ranch and reunited with a lively Epiphaneia, then took him back to the stable to cool off and gave him a carrot.
• Koichi discussed the ranch's future plans with Haruki Kuchiki and noted that Megumi Mitsumori was handling Sweetie's breeding arrangements.
• Koichi visited Aoe Training Ranch with Ayano Aoe and watched Black North train, judging that he was adapting well but still needed to respond better to commands.
• Ayano Aoe showed Koichi other horses and training reports, while Koichi also visited his uncle and met several horses likely to be entrusted to him.
• Koichi planned to accompany Ayano Aoe to Shadai's Stallion Station the next day to see Golden Masterpiece before flying back.

Koichi and Ayano Aoe visited Golden Masterpiece at the Shadai Stallion Station, where the retired champion was resting comfortably. They discussed his future as a sire and upcoming racing plans, then left him grazing as they considered their next visit.

• Koichi and Ayano Aoe visited Dream Journey, and Koichi said his Dream Journey filly would help preserve the maternal line.
• Koichi and Ayano reached Golden Masterpiece’s paddock, where the retired horse greeted Koichi and appeared healthy and content.
• Koichi discussed buying a broodmare to support Golden Masterpiece, while Ayano reminded him to use her breeding nomination.
• Koichi and Ayano took photographs with Golden Masterpiece before he returned to grazing.
• Koichi and Ayano discussed Golden Masterpiece’s expected Hall of Fame election and Gentildonna’s difficult prospects in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Koichi returned to Tokyo after visiting Hokkaido and prepared to resume work ahead of the Takarazuka Kinen, where he would ride Gold Ship against strong rivals. Ayano planned for Gold Ship to stand at his own ranch and visit Aoe Ranch during breeding season, while Koichi used his remaining Lucky Draw attempts at home.

• Koichi and Ayano discussed Gold Ship’s chances in the Takarazuka Kinen against Gentildonna, Extraordinary Steed, and Sun God Steed.
• Koichi left Ayano in Sapporo and headed to the airport to return to Tokyo for work.
• Ayano recalled Koichi’s plan to keep Gold Ship at his own ranch and send him to Aoe Ranch during breeding season.
• Koichi returned home, used all ten of his remaining Lucky Draw attempts, and received items including a Track Card, carrots, apples, and an Experience Book.
• Koichi considered his finances and decided to eat out before returning to the Training Center the next day.

Koichi visited Hanshin Racecourse to assess Gold Ship before the Takarazuka Kinen and recognized Gentildonna as their strongest rival. Gold Ship had regained good form, while Man o' War continued preparing for his upcoming Newcomer Race.

• Koichi arrived at Hanshin a week before the Takarazuka Kinen and spoke with Gentildonna's rider while checking Gold Ship's condition.
• Koichi and Gold Ship passed Gentildonna, whose form had improved as she prepared for the Autumn Tenno Sho and Japan Cup.
• Reporters photographed Koichi riding Gold Ship, while fans discussed his reunion with Golden Masterpiece and hoped he would ride the horse's offspring someday.
• Koichi exercised Gold Ship in the morning and Man o' War in the afternoon, and he was pleased with both horses' progress.
• Koichi told Mirai that Gentildonna posed more pressure than Extraordinary Steed, while Man o' War continued training for his upcoming Newcomer Race.

Koichi Sasaki won his two hundredth race a week before the Takarazuka Kinen and celebrated with an award ceremony. He hoped to return the following weekend for another interview, while he and Saki Ikegami planned a celebratory dinner with Horse Trainer Mitsumori and others.

• Koichi Sasaki charged from the rear to win a two-thousand-meter race, earning his two hundredth victory.
• Koichi told the interviewer that he hoped to return after the Takarazuka Kinen for another interview.
• Yutaka Take presented Koichi with an award as Ryuji Wada, Kenichi Ikezoe, and the other jockeys applauded.
• Koichi thanked the fans and said he would be in his best form for the following week's race.
• Saki Ikegami gathered Koichi's prizes, and they agreed to invite Horse Trainer Mitsumori and others to dinner.
• Koichi headed to the jockeys' room after finishing his conversation with Saki.

Koichi Sasaki completed Gold Ship’s final workout before the Takarazuka Kinen and said the horse was in better form and more focused than before. After discussing the race and Gentildonna in an interview, Koichi headed back to Megumi Mitsumori’s air-conditioned office to enjoy some ice cream.

• The Takarazuka Kinen’s eleven horse-and-jockey pairings were confirmed, with Koichi Sasaki riding Gold Ship and Yasuo Iwata taking the reins of Gentildonna.
• Koichi watched Gold Ship complete a strong final workout, during which the horse closed powerfully and continued accelerating after passing the horses ahead.
• Koichi handed Gold Ship over to Mirai, who led the excited horse home to rest.
• Koichi watched Gentildonna and Extraordinary Steed work out, then attended a pre-race interview.
• Koichi said Gold Ship was in better shape and taking his training more seriously, and acknowledged that a fully performing Gentildonna would be difficult to beat.
• After finishing work, Koichi returned to Megumi Mitsumori’s air-conditioned office and took ice cream from the fridge.