Chapter Summaries

Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke took Golden Masterpiece through his veterinary examination, where the staff confirmed he was healthy enough to prepare for the Spring Championship. After finishing their morning tasks, Koichi agreed to travel with Yosuke to Osaka and returned to his ranch to observe Gold Ship’s training.

• Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke discussed Ayano Aoe’s plan to create a Riding Club for retired racehorses as they brought Golden Masterpiece to the examination area.
• The veterinarian questioned Koichi and Hitachi about Golden Masterpiece’s recent training, health, eating, and weight.
• A young staff member reported that Golden Masterpiece’s examination showed he was healthy, and the veterinarian concluded he could race after being brought into form.
• Koichi said goodbye to Hitachi and Golden Masterpiece, then agreed to join Hitachi on a trip to Hanshin Racecourse and Osaka to see the cherry blossoms.
• Koichi returned to his ranch after lunch and planned to secretly observe Gold Ship’s training.

Koichi Sasaki and Hitachi Yosuke departed for Hanshin Racecourse to prepare Golden Masterpiece for his next race. Ayano Aoe planned to attend and decided Dream Journey would retire after this year's Takarazuka Kinen.

• Koichi Sasaki said goodbye to Miku Kuchiki and Megumi Mitsumori, then left Hokkai Ranch with Hitachi Yosuke.
• Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke headed for Osaka Itami Airport while Golden Masterpiece's transport vehicle underwent final checks before departure.
• Ayano Aoe learned that Koichi and the others had set off and asked to be notified when they arrived.
• Ayano Aoe decided Dream Journey would retire after this year's Takarazuka Kinen, while the assistant reported that trainer Kudo and jockey Kenichi Ikezoe agreed he was nearing retirement.

Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke arrived at Hanshin Racecourse, where Golden Masterpiece settled into his temporary stable. While exploring the riverside park, Koichi met a young fan who asked for his autograph and wished him luck in the Spring Championship.

• Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke arrived at Hanshin Racecourse after traveling from Itami Airport, and Koichi went for a walk while Hitachi Yosuke took Golden Masterpiece to the stables.
• Golden Masterpiece reared as he came off the vehicle, then calmed down when Hitachi Yosuke handled him and led him to his prepared stall.
• Koichi walked to the riverside park, filmed cherry blossoms for Mirai, and exchanged messages with her and Megumi Mitsumori.
• A young boy recognized Koichi as Golden Masterpiece's jockey, asked him to autograph an official photo, and wished him luck in the Spring Championship.
• Koichi reflected that the boy was his second fan, after Miku Kuchiki.

Koichi and Golden Masterpiece prepared at Hanshin Racecourse for the Spring Championship, where they were not considered favorites. After their morning workout, exercise riders doubted the pair could finish in the top five.

• Hitachi Yosuke told Koichi that Asho had settled down and was eating normally.
• Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke discussed the strong competition and Koichi’s preparations for the Spring Championship.
• Fans gathered to photograph Golden Masterpiece and Koichi at Hanshin Racecourse.
• Koichi guided Golden Masterpiece through a steady morning workout and promised him a carrot afterward.
• Exercise riders criticized Golden Masterpiece’s inconsistent form and predicted that Koichi might struggle to place in the top five.

Koichi and Golden Masterpiece trained for the Spring Championship, where Koichi met his idol Ryuji Wada and Golden Masterpiece easily beat their practice opponent. Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke then planned to enjoy the cherry blossoms on their day off.

• Hitachi Yosuke reassured Koichi about spectators’ jealousy, and Koichi gave Golden Masterpiece their daily carrot.
• Koichi and Golden Masterpiece continued training for the Spring Championship, including a smooth practice run over the longer course.
• Koichi met Ryuji Wada, who wished him luck in the Spring Championship and spoke warmly with the rising jockey.
• Golden Masterpiece dominated the practice run, leaving their opponent far behind in the second half.
• Ryuji Wada reflected on his former partnership with T.M. Opera O and hoped to prove himself again, while Susan responded to him.
• Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke headed back and agreed to plan a cherry-blossom outing for their day off.

Ayano Aoe took Koichi Sasaki cherry blossom viewing and discussed the upcoming race, especially the strong rival Free Flight and jockey Yutaka Take. After Koichi said he still aimed to win, Ayano agreed to join him for hot pot, while Golden Masterpiece remained at the stables under Hitachi Yosuke’s watch.

• Ayano Aoe arrived to see Koichi Sasaki, and her sudden visit forced Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke to postpone their outing.
• Ayano took Koichi cherry blossom viewing in Osaka and asked her assistant to prepare the picnic.
• Ayano discussed the race and identified second favorite Free Flight, ridden by Yutaka Take, as the main rival to watch.
• Koichi said he still hoped to win first place, despite Ayano considering a top-three finish sufficient.
• Koichi invited Ayano to lunch at Haidilao, and she agreed to join him.

Ayano Aoe and Koichi Sasaki ate lunch at Haidilao before visiting Golden Masterpiece at the stables. Golden Masterpiece ignored Ayano and stayed in a bad mood, while Koichi prepared to study their rivals for the upcoming Satsuki Sho.

• Ayano Aoe and Koichi Sasaki went to Haidilao, where Koichi ordered hot pot and Ayano enjoyed trying the food.
• Ayano Aoe arrived at the stables and found Golden Masterpiece in good condition, but the horse dodged her hand and walked away.
• Koichi called Golden Masterpiece Asho and explained that it seemed to be in a bad mood because it had not been taken out for a walk.
• Ayano Aoe left the stables and entrusted the remaining work to Koichi.
• Hitachi Yosuke asked Koichi about lunch, and Koichi said he would study their opponents and focus on preparing for the Satsuki Sho.

While Koichi was away, Miku Kuchiki kept Gold Ship’s daily routine going, from morning grooming and training to a bath and a fresh stall. Gold Ship stayed playful and demanding, while Miku wondered how Koichi was doing and hoped his upcoming race would go well.

• Miku Kuchiki woke early, prepared Gold Ship’s breakfast, and groomed the horse, pausing to think about Koichi and his upcoming race.
• Gold Ship coaxed Miku into giving her another carrot, then ate breakfast before training.
• Megumi Mitsumori finished Gold Ship’s training and warned Miku that the excited horse needed careful handling.
• Miku bathed Gold Ship, scraped and dried her coat, then hurried after her when she ran back toward the stall.
• Miku returned Gold Ship to her clean stall and went back outside to finish her work.

Koichi practiced with Golden Masterpiece at Hanshin as Dream Journey prepared for his own race, while Megumi Mitsumori reassured Miku Kuchiki about Golden Masterpiece’s upcoming challenge. The horses and jockeys parted on friendly terms, with Dream Journey nearing retirement and Koichi looking ahead to the race.

• Megumi Mitsumori told Miku Kuchiki that Golden Masterpiece’s gate ten draw reduced the risk of being boxed in, though strong rivals made the race difficult.
• Miku Kuchiki suggested watching Koichi’s race beside Gold Ship’s stall, and Megumi agreed to watch the livestream with her.
• At Hanshin, Golden Masterpiece and Dream Journey accelerated together during a practice run as they prepared for races one week apart.
• Koichi used Calming when the full brothers grew hostile while he spoke with Kenichi Ikezoe.
• Kenichi Ikezoe said Dream Journey would race in one more Grade 1 before retiring, then handed him to Yosuke and said goodbye to Koichi.

At Hanshin Racecourse, Koichi and Golden Masterpiece prepared to compete in the 60th Spring Championship despite being considered an unlikely pairing. Koichi entered the track encouraged by a young fan, while the boy persuaded his father to place a small bet on Golden Masterpiece.

• Megumi Mitsumori and Miku Kuchiki watched the paddock broadcast and saw Golden Masterpiece in good condition as commentators discussed the contenders.
• Ryuji Wada encouraged Koichi in the lounge, and Koichi exchanged greetings with Yutaka Take before heading to find his horse.
• Koichi mounted Golden Masterpiece, and Hitachi Yosuke told him to do his best as they prepared to enter the track.
• A young boy cheered for Koichi, then convinced his father to buy a betting ticket on Golden Masterpiece.

Koichi and Golden Masterpiece entered the Spring Stakes in good position, but Golden Masterpiece suddenly slowed during the race after trying to cut inside and ram Eishin Osman. The chapter left him losing his advantage as the other horses passed him.

• Golden Masterpiece quarreled with Eishin Osman during warm-ups, and Koichi moved him away before the race.
• Ayano Aoe told Eishin Osman's owner that she was backing her own horse.
• Golden Masterpiece started well and settled into a stalking position behind King Babylon and Grand Boss.
• Golden Masterpiece suddenly lost speed near the bend, letting the other horses pass him.
• A spectator's father said Golden Masterpiece appeared to be trying to cut inside and ram Eishin Osman.

Koichi and Golden Masterpiece recovered from a mid-race slowdown and won the Spring Championship with a powerful final sprint. Golden Masterpiece threw Koichi off after the finish, but their victory earned them a ticket to the Satsuki Sho.

• Eishin Osman overtook Golden Masterpiece, whose sudden lunge cost him speed and dropped him into the middle of the pack.
• Koichi used Calming and guided Golden Masterpiece back into stride before launching their sprint with five hundred meters remaining.
• Golden Masterpiece charged past the field and joined King Babylon and Grand Boss in a fight for first place.
• Golden Masterpiece crossed the finish line first, beating King Babylon by a neck.
• Golden Masterpiece threw Koichi off after the race, and the commentator noted their disagreement as he announced their Satsuki Sho qualification.

Koichi Sasaki and Golden Masterpiece celebrated their Spring Championship victory after Asho’s mid-race outburst nearly disrupted the race. They completed the winner’s photos and prepared for the post-race interview, with Ayano Aoe planning to discuss what happened afterward.

• Ryuji Wada congratulated Koichi on the win, and Yutaka Take rode away after briefly speaking to him.
• Koichi told Hitachi Yosuke that Asho had tried to ram another horse, so he pulled back and lost time before Asho’s final sprint won by a head.
• Koichi and Yosuke headed to the inspection area, while Ayano Aoe left the VIP room and dismissed a man who complained about her having a good horse.
• Ayano told Koichi they would discuss the incident after celebrating the victory, and Golden Masterpiece completed the inspection.
• Ayano called Koichi over for the winner’s photo, and they prepared to attend the post-race interview.

After Golden Masterpiece won the Spring Championship, Koichi Sasaki finished the winner’s photos and explained in an interview that the horse had a mind of his own. Koichi left with a place in the upcoming Satsuki Sho, while Golden Masterpiece returned to the stable after getting his carrot.

• Golden Masterpiece repeatedly tried to stomp on Koichi during the winner’s photo shoot, but Koichi dodged him.
• Koichi told Ayano Aoe he was fine, then reminded Hitachi Yosuke to give Golden Masterpiece the carrot he had left behind.
• Golden Masterpiece ate the carrot and obediently followed Hitachi Yosuke back to the stable.
• Koichi told the interviewer that Golden Masterpiece had a mind of his own and thanked the horse for earning them a place in the Satsuki Sho.
• After the interview, Koichi wandered around the racecourse and thought about Wada’s upcoming race at Hanshin.

Golden Masterpiece won the race with a powerful final sprint, securing Koichi Sasaki a place in Tokyo and leaving him busy with post-race interviews. Miku Kuchiki and Megumi Mitsumori celebrated, while Megumi wondered whether Golden Masterpiece’s earlier slowdown signaled trouble between horse and jockey.

• A young boy’s father celebrated his bet on Golden Masterpiece, while the boy asked to keep the ticket as a souvenir and declared himself a fan of Golden Masterpiece and Sasaki.
• Keigo Kudo and Matsutomo Kazuma watched Golden Masterpiece’s late sprint destroy their hopes of seeing Koichi Sasaki lose.
• Miku Kuchiki hugged Megumi Mitsumori in excitement after Golden Masterpiece won and secured a place in Tokyo.
• Gold Ship pulled Miku away from Megumi, then Miku hugged Gold Ship and learned Koichi was busy with photos and an interview.
• Megumi told Miku that Golden Masterpiece might not return before the Satsuki Sho, and she later decided to gather information about the likely entrants to help Koichi.

After Koichi Sasaki explained his race with Golden Masterpiece to Ayano Aoe, she approved of his handling of the horse and told him to focus on repairing their bond. Koichi stayed in Hanshin while the team prepared to travel to Tokyo, where Golden Masterpiece was expected to race in his first Grade 1.

• Fujitani Kotomi brought Koichi to Ayano Aoe, who asked him to explain what had happened during the race.
• Koichi described his clash with Golden Masterpiece during warm-up and the tug-of-war on the track, and Ayano praised his handling of the horse.
• Ayano told Koichi to rest and work on mending his relationship with Golden Masterpiece, then instructed Fujitani to arrange the team's travel and racing plans in Tokyo.
• Koichi told Hitachi Yosuke that they would stay in Hanshin until Dream Journey had finished his race, and they ate ramen together.

After Golden Masterpiece won the Spring Championship, online critics blamed rookie jockey Koichi for the race slowdown and the horse throwing him off, while Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke focused on their work and their Triple Crown goal. Koichi visited Asho at the stables, where they made up over carrots, and the team remained on standby for instructions about the Tokyo Satsuki Sho.

• Horse Racing Data Network pinned Hitachi Yosuke's defense of Koichi, while commenters continued to criticize the rookie jockey.
• Golden Masterpiece's profile announced his entry in the Tokyo Satsuki Sho, the first race of Japan's Triple Crown.
• Koichi visited Asho the morning after the Spring Championship and warned him against crashing into other horses or biting.
• Koichi gave Golden Masterpiece a carrot, and Asho accepted it before returning to his breakfast.
• The stable manager congratulated Koichi and asked about the Tokyo race, but Koichi said the team had received no definite instructions yet.
• Hitachi Yosuke arrived with his tools, and Koichi offered to help him with Golden Masterpiece.

Ayano Aoe arranged a photo shoot for Koichi and Golden Masterpiece to create racing merchandise and promote their recent performance. After the shoot, Koichi took Golden Masterpiece back to the stables, while the photographer planned to use photos from the Spring Championship.

• Ayano Aoe took Koichi and Golden Masterpiece to a photo shoot, saying the pictures would be used for racing merchandise.
• Hitachi Yosuke took Golden Masterpiece’s reins while Koichi went to have light makeup applied.
• Koichi posed beside Golden Masterpiece as the photographer took pictures, and Koichi calmed the restless horse by promising it a carrot.
• Ayano Aoe reviewed the pictures and asked about race photos, and the photographer said he planned to use images from the Spring Championship’s final sprint and finish.
• Koichi led Golden Masterpiece back toward the stables, and Hitachi Yosuke hurried after them.

Koichi used the prize draw to obtain the Quick Reaction skill and an experience book, then prepared for Dream Journey’s race. While walking Golden Masterpiece the next morning, he spoke with Kenichi Ikezoe and Ryuji Wada about the race and his upcoming trip to Tokyo, where Ikezoe encouraged him to visit Shadai.

• Koichi drew fruit, the Quick Reaction skill, and an experience book, then used the book to prepare for future races.
• Koichi exercised and walked Golden Masterpiece the next morning before Dream Journey’s race.
• Koichi met Kenichi Ikezoe, who said Dream Journey was in good form and praised Koichi’s performance in the Spring Championship.
• Koichi spoke with Ryuji Wada and Ikezoe about the day’s race and his planned trip to Tokyo.
• Ikezoe encouraged Koichi to visit Shadai, where he could see the country’s top stallions and horse-racing resources.

Koichi watched the Sankei Osaka Hai with Ayano Aoe and chose the favorite, which won the race. After Dream Journey finished outside the top five, Ayano and Koichi decided to stay for the next race, while Fujitani Kotomi promised to transfer Koichi his betting winnings.

• Koichi joined Ayano Aoe in the owners' stands at Hanshin Racecourse and said he fancied Dream Journey before backing the favorite instead.
• Ayano Aoe sent Fujitani Kotomi to buy Koichi a betting ticket on the favorite, with any winnings going to him.
• Dream Journey raced from behind in the Sankei Osaka Hai, but Ayano Aoe predicted it would struggle to place in the top five.
• The favorite narrowly won the race, while Yutaka Take's mount finished eighth and Kenichi Ikezoe and Ryuji Wada tied for ninth.
• Ayano Aoe asked Koichi to stay for the next race, and Fujitani Kotomi said she would transfer his winnings to his account.