7:11 p.m. I must have been blind. Or my eyes must have been holes on the bottom of a bucket.

Diana Halo, the horse I'd decided must be quite tough, wasn't so tough after all. She went up front, moving up side by side with the front runner at the last corner, but sank in 15th place. No excuses.

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Caterpillar

3:40 p.m. The results of Sprinters' Stakes show that it was run in an unexceptionally slow lap (for a sprint G1).

The first three furlongs took 33.9 seconds. I'd presumed it would at least be faster than 33.5 seconds. No wonder Melagrana couldn't reach the top three from her position. It was an against for Diana Halo too, as she probably performs better in tight-lapped races.

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Caterpillar

4:26 p.m. Come to think of it, Diana Halo had been too over-worked, considering that she ran without much recess from May.

This weekend, there's going to be prep races in Tokyo and Kyoto, Mainichi Ohkan and Kyoto Dai-shohten. Deluxe members are entered in Mainichi Ohkan with the names of Soul Stirling, Makahiki, Satono Aladdin, Real Steel plus old One And Only. Looking forward to the race.

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Caterpillar

2:02 p.m. Oh, and I'd completely forgotten about Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, because I knew there's know way Satono Diamond could win. I was enjoying listening to BL CD dramas at the time of the race, and didn't even see the race run on TV.

In my humble opinion, the requirements of this particular race does not suit the features of Deep Impact descendants. They perform best in distances between 1600m to 2200m at longest, and in a race in which they can burst their speed in one blast. That's why I believe Deep Impact descendants will not win the Arc. Besides, Satono Diamond was apparently fatigued seen from even a novice as myself. So there was no way he could have won.

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Caterpillar

2:19 p.m. I am surprised yet again, that today we're pushed up to number 5 in the ranking. It's the first time we've ever made it to top 5 not to mention, and I'm wondering why.

The only reason I could think of was that I wrote about horse race (Prix de L'Arc de Triomhe, in particular) yesterday, and I find myself unable to break away from the temptation to write about horse race again.

I was thinking that Soul Stirling would be the center of Mainichi Ohkan, but as I checked out her career, I realized she didn't have a fast track record. I thought it was crucial to have the experience of having performed well on a firm, fast track to win this race. Er... things are starting to look shaky. Will go and see if there were any 3-year-olds that performed well without such experience later.

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Caterpillar

2:01 p.m. The barrier draw for Sunday's Mainichi Ohkan has been announced, so let's go take a look.

Soul Stirling in post number 1, Makahiki in 2, Daiwa Cagney in 3, Astra Emblem in 4, Historical in 5, Matchless Hero in 6, Greater London in 7, Real Steel in 8, Young Man Power in 9, One And Only in 10, Win Bright in 11, and Satono Aladdin in 12.

Since it's not a full-barrier race with 18 horses and there doesn't seem to be a particular horse that has to take the lead, it's beginning to look like a slow-lapped instantaneoud force contest again. Seeing from that viewpoint, horses starting from inner posts will have the advantage.

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Caterpillar

2:29 p.m. As I've said yesterday, I think the horses starting from inner barriers will have the advantage in Mainichi Ohkan, as well as the horses that can go up front, because my personal opinion is that the lap won't become so tight.

Therefore, I will key Soul Stirling on a wheel with Makahiki, Daiwa Cagney, Astra Emblem, Real Steel, and Satono Aladdin. Satono Aladdin might not have a chance to win since he races from behind, but can come in 3rd. Real Steel and Makahiki would depend on their position during the race. If they stay behind, it will become harder to win.

The barrier draw for Kyoto Dai-shohten run on Monday has also been announced, though I'm not going to call it since the payout annually turns out low. Still, I'm looking forward to see old Curren Mirotic take the lead.

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Caterpillar

10:54 p.m. I gave up buying betting tickets for Mainichi Ohkan at the last minute, since I couldn't decide which horse to cut out, Makahiki or Real Steel which made me decide after all, that it was too risky to put my bet on.

I was right about that decision. My key horse Soul Stirling has been pushed out to take the lead, which practically killed all her advantages. Christophe must have wanted to keep her behind some other leader as long as possible. But the older horses didn't allow that and she sank in 8th place. I didn't expect her to lose this big, even behind old One And Only, but then she might not have been in her original form. The damages of her spring races could have been more serious than I'd imagined.

Summer damage surfaced on Astra Emblem, that's why he lagged behind at the start. On the other hand, Real Steel looked gorgeous today as he walked around the paddock in fact, I've never seen him better. As for Makahiki, he had all the advantages he needs and still couldn't perform well. I'm afraid he just joined the One And Only clan.

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Caterpillar

4:56 p.m. I was looking forward to see old Curren Mirotic take the lead, but he didn't or rather, couldn't. Well, I heard that he was left behind in hi training, so wasn't expecting much but still, it was a let down.

It was a sink or swim for Smart Layer, as she wouldn't have won if her course hadn't cleared. I'd take my hat off to the rider for drawing out the best from the horse. As a Deep Impact descendant, Smart Layer's feature is her instantaneous speed that hits the red zone in one long blast. Yutaka has made the best out of it leading her to the top finish despite her age. Not to mention she her 54kg weight served as an advantage in such a lagged lap race.

Judging from the result, Sounds Of Earth was not in his perfect condition, especially given the loss of his weight. Though he won't be able to join the One And Only clan, as he hasn't won a G1, let alone Mikki Rocket.

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Caterpillar

2:35 p.m. The high temperature has risen up to 28℃ and I'm wearing short sweat pants on short-sleeved T-shirt with sandals on barefoot. I thought it was October. They are having Oktoberfest in Munich and Halloween is only a couple of weeks ahead. Unbelievable.

However, the temperature is said to drop to it's normal state from Thursday this week, briging along a chance of rain till the weekend. The unstable weather will make it harder to call Shuka-sho coming up this weekend grrrrrr... Lys Gracieu looks reliable so far, but Aerolithe is also intriguing.

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Caterpillar

2:49 p.m. They said it was going to be hot until today so I've worn summer clothes again, but there's no way it could be over 28℃. Should have worn jeans.

I was secretly hoping that Fan Dii Na would be the most favored, though apparently everyone seem to have realized she was a catch and the most favored is Aerolithe followed by Lys Gracieux as of this afternoon. Darn.

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Caterpillar

2:14 p.m. And today, it gets hot. Though I'm expecting drizzly and cool weather from tomorrow.

Headlines of Aerolithe has been screaming on the sports papers yesterday evening, but then, it was only Wednesday, still the middle of the week. Different names will come out until the day of the race. My guess is Fan Dii Na around Thursday or Friday, some Rabbit Run or Reine Minoru in between, wrapping up with Lys Gracieux in the weekend.

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Caterpillar

2:06 p.m. It's been drizzling since morning and the temperature has dropped as predicted by forecast. The barrier draw for the third and last crown for the fillies have been announced on this day, so let's take a look.

Aerolithe is in post number 1, Rabbit Run is in 2, Black Onyx is in 3, Mozu Katchan is in 4, Black's Beach is in 5, Meisho Owara is in 6, Lys Gracieux is in 7, Kawakita Enka is in 8, Hello Unicorn is in 9, Tagano Verona is in 10, Mirissa is in 11, Reine Minoru is in 12, Lycabettos is in 13, Deidre is in 14, Vous Etes Jolie is in 15, Fan Dii Na is in 16, Port Vendres is in 17, and Carribean Gold is in 18.

Hmmm... It depends largely on the track condition and the lap, but horses that drew outer posts and race from behind might have a hard time.

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Caterpillar

2:30 p.m. All right. My call for Shuka-sho.

My key horse will be Aerolithe. If she's in good form and can race without incident, I think she will win. Even if she couldn't take the lead, then she could stay behind Kawakita Enka. She's drawn an ideal barrier, she's got high potential and has proven it in her career. She's had a stress-free schedule and yet has raced against older horses to learn a thing or two. Aerolithe is going to win.

For second place, I'd push Lys Gracieux. It might not go as smooth as last week's Smart Layer, but if the track condition becomes softer it would advantage her even more. My choice for third place is Diedre though her current condition is a concern. Conclusively, will buy a wheel of Lys Gracieux, Diedre, perhaps with some Black Onyx and Mirissa. For those who are getting suspicious because my key horse didn't perform well in recent races, I'd suggest you key Lys Gracieux for safety's sake.

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Caterpillar

4:58 p.m. Another rainy day.

Perhaps some of you might have won Shuka-sho if you'd followed my advice and keyed Lys Gracieux instead of Aerolithe. I should have done so myself, since Aerolithe came out losing 12kg since her last race, Queen's Stakes. This is what I think most difficult about calling horse race. You never know the condition of the horse until shortly before the race or even, after the race. There is a way to assume the horses' condition from the menu of their training, or its frequency, but then such information is only available on paid service (as far as I know)like weekly Keiba Book, Green Channel, or other horse race web service. I don't feel like paying merely to get that information for shaky assumptions.

Let me just tell you here for his credit, that Cow has won a trio.

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Caterpillar

3:20 p.m. It's the fourth day since it started raining last Friday. Wonder how much longer this will last? I'd probably be growing mushrooms on my head if it weren't for the coolness.

I admit it was a blunder to key Aerolithe for Shuka-sho. Must make a mental note not to buy horses that won their previous races taking the lead from start to finish, no matter how relaxed their racing schedule have been. It leaves more physical and mental damage than I had imagined.

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Caterpillar

4:18 p.m. The rain has finally stopped.

Though it seems to be temporary and we'll be thrown back into drizzly weather sadly, by the end of tomorrow. Have just informed Cow that it's going to be his only chance to do the washing this week, so he ought to get up early tomorrow.

The troubling thing is not about the washing, but about the track condition of Kyoto this weekend. What would happen if it becomes soft again like last week (the distance is 3,000m mind you)?

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Caterpillar

2:30 p.m. It became pleasantly sunny this morning however, it looks like it won't last long as they've said in the forecast earlier.

Rain will start falling again by late tonight in the Kanto area, and we'll be back again in that long spell of autumn rain. Plus, the temperature may rise and it could get sticky, depending on the typoon approaching from the south. Ugh. Daunting.

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Caterpillar

4:07 p.m. As the last of the 3-year-old's triple crown classic race, Kikkasho's barrier draw has been promptly announced as of today, so let's take a look.

Bless Journey in post number 1, Win Ganador in 2, Stiffelio in 3, Clincher in 4, Tricolore Bleu in 5, Meiner Wunsch in 6, Adam Barows in 7, Satono Arthur in 8, Kurino Yamatono O in 9, Best Approach in 10, Satono Cronichle in 11, Mikki Swallow in 12, Kiseki in 13, Popocatepetl in 14, Danburite in 15, Al Ain in 16, Platina Voice in 17, and My Style in 18.

Got the impression that all Stay Gold descendants have drawn the inner barriers. Wonder if they'd become any threat on the probably soft track.

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Caterpillar

2:36 p.m. As I checked the win favor of Kikkasho, I realized Kiseki was pushed up to the top leaving Satsuki-sho winner Al Ain aside, so I've done a little research on this horse.

Kiseki is a descendant of Rulership, he's stepped up winning the 5 million prize class and the 10 million, stumbled a bit in Grade 2 Koube Shinbun-hai, a prep-race for Kikka-sho coming in 2nd behind Ray De Oro by 2 and a half lengths. Has lost in 3rd place against Satsuki-sho winner Al Ain Mainichi-hai this spring.

Not so much as a significant career in my eyes. Figured he must owe this favor mainly to Mirco DeMurro, his rider for Kikka-sho.

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Caterpillar

3:05 p.m. The Orionids meteor shower is said to have its peak tonight though unfortunately, we're having a typhoon coming up and we're bound to miss it. I have a feeling that I couldn't see it last year either, due to weather conditions. Not again...

Pulling myself together, will try guessing, no, calling Kikkasho. This is one hard race to call as there is too much uncertainty... Will probably key Kiseki on a wheel of Bless Journey, Satono Arthur, Satono Chronicle, and Al Ain. I'm sorry, but I can't say anything for sure when I'm not even sure if the race actually would be run tomorrow.

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Caterpillar

6:32 p.m. I was close to winning 136,350 Yen but it slipped away through my fingers.

As I've said, I bought my tickets keying Kiseki on a wheel of Bless Journey, Satono Arthur, Satono Chronicle and Al Ain, but have added Popocatepetl seeing that he has performed well in long distance. As I was going over the racing form, there was a flash of moment when I felt a twinge of possibility in Clincher's bloodmaresire, Bryan's Time. Bryan's Time's blood has an explosive effect when it comes to distance over 3,000m. Good examples are Big Gold and Three Rolls.

However, I'd dismissed the idea thinking, no, not after the recent two races. If I hadn't I'd have been riding my own roadracing bike by this weekend... Clincher!!!

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Caterpillar

3:31 p.m. Still feeling regretful about Clincher.

When you track back Clincher's sire line, you will know that his father Deep Sky was a descendant of Agnes Tachyon. Tachyon's descendants tend to dislike being squashed in the pack, thus performing better starting from outer barriers, or racing with less horses, and also when the track condition becomes soft so that the competitors do not get squashed together, as on firm tracks. Having drawn an inner post and blessed with soft, nearly muddy track condition, it could have been an ideal situation for Clincher.

But the past is the past. Must pull myself together and get ready for Tenno-sho.

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Caterpillar

2:21 p.m. When thinking about Tennno-sho, the biggest question probably will be whether Kitasan Black can improve his performance to come within third place or not. My personal opinion is that he can.

The reason is clear. The loss of Takaraduka Kinen was because Kitasan Black had won his previous race Tennno-sho(spring) in reord time, breaking Deep Impact's race record. In other words, it was a kick back reaction from Tennno-sho(spring). A horse like Kitasan Black that keeps his speed and tries to run a race monotonously, almost always loses after winning a race in record time. It is considered such high performance leaves great damage to the horse's physical and mind. A good example is Kopano Rickey, which I think is the similar type.

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Caterpillar

1:57 p.m. A new problem has come up for Tennno-sho. Another typhoon is moving up north.

According to the weather forecast, it's bound to get close to Okinawa from Friday 27th to Saturday 28th. That means it might hit Tokyo again on Sunday, depending on its course. And Tenno-sho will be run on Tokyo tracks.

Leaving the race aside, I'm pretty much fed up with this lingering rain. Where has the sun gone?

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Caterpillar

2:49 p.m. The barrier draw for Tenno-sho (fall) has been announced. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!

Sakura Empereur in post number 1, Satono Crown in 2, Neo Realism in 3, Real Steel in 4, Ymakatsu Ace in 5, Decypher in 6, Kitasan Black in 7, Rainbow Line in 8, Soul Stirling in 9, Mikki Rocket in 10, Lord Vent d'Or in 11, Stephanos in 12, Greater London in 13, Satono Aladdin in 14, Makahiki in 15, Cadenas in 16, One And Only in 17, and Sciacchetra in 18.

I have a hunch that racing forms would be folded back from post number 16 (perhaps 15) and everyone would think that this year's Tennno-sho was run with 15 horses. Especially, if the typhoon takes the north-western course.

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Caterpillar

3:14 p.m. I'm having a hard time choosing which horse to buy on my wheel, thanks to the weather. Besides that, I'm concerned about my outfit for rainy weather.

The forecast is predicting rain all day for Sunday, due not to the typhoon, but rather to its side-effect in pushing up the rain front. If I'm going out to the off-track betting, it's definitely going to be a task and I'll have to stay in my wet shoes for hours. That sucks.

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Caterpillar

4:05 p.m. And my call for Tenno-sho (fall).

Basically, I think Kitasan will make a come back so Kitasan Black will be my key horse. On the wheel of my trio would be Sakura Empereur, Satono Crown, Neo Realism, Soul Stirling, Greater London and Satono Aladdin. Am still undecided about Satono Crown and Neo Realism, though. I might possibly cut them out.

Might also buy some exacta keying Kitasan on the second place. I didn't say I'm sure he'd win, I just said that he's sure to perform better than Takaraduka, most likely within third place.

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Caterpillar

11:33 p.m. I did say Kitasan Black, didn't I?

The blunder with his start resultingly became a good stimulation for him, as he has been going up front in the spring races. Though I wasn't sure he'd win.

The track was really soft just like last week's Kyoto, so it must have been tough for all the horses but especially, for the winner and Satono Crown. It will most likely leave at least some damage. Must keep an eye on Kitasan's condition considering Japan Cup.

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Caterpillar

6:09 p.m. The off-track betting used to sell betting tickets through a little hole in the glass window, but now all betting tickets are sold by vending machines. You put in money, and feed bubble sheets with your choice of race and horses marked, and they'd spit out the betting tickets after asking for confirmation on the screen.

Cow has made a critical mistake yesterday, of forgetting to collect his betting tickets although he had payed for them in advance. He realized and dashed back to the machine however, the tickets were already taken by someone else as a natural course of things in gambling spots. He'd regretfully bought some more cursing under his breath that the horses on the formerly bought tickets won't win.

Personally, I think it was the least blessing that all his money had been wasted. After all, whoever had taken his tickets didn't win either.

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Caterpillar

4:19 p.m. Okay, it's Halloween. An event that was originally irrelevant to our native culture.

Since the typhoon is gone and the rain had lifted completely, Shibuya must be full of monsters again. I should have worn a hero outfit so that I could beat all the monsters and gain extra Gs.

I'm way beyond the age of going trick-or-treating, though one of my clients have given me a box of Aunt Stella's cookies. Will enjoy them for my coffee break.

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Caterpillar