8:43 p.m. Who said Satono Noblesse? It was Curren Mirotic!

And I'm not even buying Kitasan Black for 1st place, what amI doing?

Five G1 races from February Stakes and not have I won one race, but haven't even been close to winning. This is bad. Something's got to be done.

The End

Caterpillar

2:46 p.m. Sigh. Have checked out the entry list for NHK Mile Cup in a vain attempt to recover myself from the Tenno-sho damage, but rather sank deeper.

I am not sure at this point whether Major Emblem can perform better than Ohka-sho. It seems her competitors are not as good as her, though I just can't be sure after seeing Ohka-sho. In order to perform better, she will need a faster lap at least. But that can't be granted.

The End

Caterpillar

5:10 p.m. First day of 3 consecutive holidays.

I was planning to spend the whole of 3 holidays enjoying manga and drama cd after finishing up some leftover work, however, Cow calls up to invite me to a Tendon lunch. And since I'm going out, I decided to drop by the 30th Anniversary event of Yutaka Take at Mitsukoshi. After all, it's on my way. Unlike Mr. Take who won the Tennno-sho and is ready and eager to also win the Kentucky D'erby this weekend, wasn't quite up to visiting the exhibition after my teriible loss, but well.

The End

Caterpillar

6:39 p.m. Eventually, have been to Mitsukoshi to see Take's 30th Anniversary exhibition.

It did say it was an exhibition of his "glorious" career of the past 30 years so I wasn't expecting it, but as I'd thought there were no exhibits of Silence Suzuka.

Well of course Yutaka didn't want anyone to touch his soft spot. Still, the races he won with Silence Suzuka was unmistakably a part of his career, and I wish he'd displayed the trophy (if if there was any) of Kinko-sho. That was one beautiful race I still remember.

The End

Caterpillar

5:05 p.m. There was also a talk event on the roof of Mitsukoshi yesterday, so I stayed to see the talk show of Yutaka Take. Since it was crowded and hot, I took respite in the cool shadows of a garden shop annex to the stage. And there was an incident.

As I stood waiting in the path for Take to appear, 3 women near me started to crawl into the bushes behind a small artificial pond. It was part of the garden shop display not to mention, and I nearly let out a scream when I heard barnches cracking under their weight. Perhaps they just wanted to take a closer look at the jockey, but what they were doing was beyond my forgiveness. Someone had worked hard to maintain this garden for the customers and the women were literally ruining it just for their curiosity.

I wanted to stop them though I couldn't utter a word, knowing that they would probably not even listen to a youngster like me. I made me feel terrible. Just then, I heard a man's voice saying, "Stop that, and come out of there!" I thought it was the voice of God. 2 of the women came out of the bushes reluctantly, but 1 of them still stuck to the fence between her and the stage, unbelievingly retorting, "Why? It's not such a big deal. What, are you someone in authority?" How dare she say such a thing? If she wanted to see Take so much, why didn't she come in the morning to line up for numbered tickets? But then, the God voice rang out loud and clear with righteousness, "You shouldn't get into the garden, can't you see that with some common sense?" Bravo! Bravo! I applauded inside my heart.

Lately, I feel like I see so many of these people who seem to have lost the conscience, manners, and the sense of shame we Japanese used to have. I just hope that such people won't at least go overseas to bring disgrace on people like the owner of that voice.

The End

Caterpillar

4:07 p.m. A couple of things happened during the holiday.

Yutaka has topped his G1 win with Kopano Rickey from Kashiwa Kinen that was run yesterday. He might even have a chance for the Kentucky D'erby this weekend with Lani. Who knows, if Fusaichi Pegasus could win, why can't Lani?

Meanwhile, Cow has got himself another pet in his onlie game. This time it's a Tsun-Dere shiba (looks like a puppy). Man, he looks so cute, almost healing.

The End

Caterpillar

1:21 p.m. Have been busy throughout the holiday and after, trying to catch up on my work that I haven't yet decided what to buy for NHK Mile Cup.

But I need Major Emblem to pay me back and I think she will this time. The remaining question is, which horse she would tag along. 4 horses from the main prep race New Zealand Trophy, I doubt would be performing better, unless the lap slackens to say, over 35 seconds for the first 3 furlongs.

If Major Emblem is going to win taking the lead from start to finish, then logically it should either be horses that have speed and go up front or, horses that didn't perform well in their previous races but have enough potential to perform good on 1600m Tokyo turf.

The End

Caterpillar

6:15 p.m. I've got Lord Quest on my trio wheel, as well as Dantsu Prius, Tosho Drafter, and Hakusan Rudolf. And why isn't Rainbow Line on it, WHY?

To be honest, I did think about inclduding Rainbow Line last night if only for a flicker. But I thought the horse would lose concentration while being swung around the course on the outside, since he'd drawn the far outside post. I was pretty sure the rider Fukunaga, would ride him that way, and it never occurred to me that such condition might work as an advantage to the horse.

The one obvious truth is that somehow I don't seem to get along with Fukunaga.

The End

Caterpillar

3:31 p.m. Just checking out what horse Fukunaga might ride on in Victoria Mile Cup this weekend.

Currently, his name is on the list next to Cafe Brilliant, though I can't be sure what he'll ride until Thursday. But well, if it stays the same, I think I wouldn't have to be bothered by him this week.

The End

Caterpillar

2:29 p.m. Looks like I've done it again.

The playlists on my iPod have suddenly disappeared lately, after I'd reset the device and synced it with my iTunes. I can see the playlists on iTunes, but it scolds me to search for the music file as no files can be found, whnenever I try to play the songs and puts exclamation points at the heads of the song titles.

Nothing seemed to be wrong when I imported the back-up data after replacing the HDD, though as it transpired, I'd only backed up the songs I'd downloaded from Apple Store. Apparently, the mp3 files that I'd made on my own hadn't been copied automatically into iTunes Media folder because I hadn't set it so. And I hadn't made back-ups of them from Windows My Music folder because I thought they would be in iTunes. Just a slight misunderstanding, but I wish Apple would have alerted me on their import/export support page.

The End

Caterpillar

5:09 p.m. Not much of a problem if I didn't have the back-ups of my mp3 files. All I have to do is make them again. Maybe I could add ome new songs taking advantage of this situation.

I spent last night dutifully making mp3 files and filling up my Windows Music library. Then I took them all into iTunes and synced my iPod. Ha! Not to mention, I'd set iTunes to automatically make back-ups of my new music library.

The End

Caterpillar

5:04 p.m. When I recovered my playlist on my iTunes, I also added some P!NK songs and synced them to my iPod.

Since then, my body and soul has been taken over by "Dear Mr. President." My friends had sung the ballad when we've been to Karaoke a few weeks ago, and I've been determined to get it on my iPod. A strong message against all the people in power. They don't know nothing about hard work and, they'd never take a walk with me either.

The End

Caterpillar

4:52 p.m. The barrier draw for Victoria Mile Cup has been announced.

Smart Layer in post number 2, so I guess she would take the lead, Mickey Queen in 10 looking good so far except for the just-came-back-from-injury-rider Hamanaka, Shonan Pandra in 15. Queen's Ring in 12 might perform well if the pace slackens, while Straight Girl doesn't seem to stand a chance in 13.

The question is Shonan Adela. How would she perform after 17 months' blank following a fracture? Will think about it later.

The End

Caterpillar

2:47 p.m. Although it's on the favored side, I can only think of Mickey Queen as my key horse. She seems to be the most trustful to me so far.

Shonan Pandra and Queen's Ring probably needs the help of a high lap. Rouge Buck, too. On the other hand, Magic Time and Smart Layer would advantage from a slackened lap. Other than these, I think there might be a chance for Win Primera or Shonan Adela to come in 2nd or 3rd. And, will also keep a watch out on Cafe Brilliant, I didn't know you were riding, Fukunaga.

The End

Caterpillar

10:28 p.m. Straight Girl winning 2 years in a row was a scenario I hadn't even imagined. Thought there met be chance for her to come in 3rd place considering her high potential on hard fast tracks, but winning? Nah.

I was wrong. Totally wrong.

The End

Caterpillar

1:22 p.m. Already thinking about Japanese Oaks.

It largely depends on the barrier draw or the track condition, though I'm thinking I might be able to trust Sinhalite as my key horse. I'm not saying at this point, that she's going to win, but is trustworthy enough to come within 3rd place.

Will keep an eye on Checcino however, that is merely for insurance. I have a hunch there will be other horses that would be more suitable for my wheel and they probably won't be favored. Anyway, details would be decided after the barrier draw.

The End

Caterpillar

5:32 p.m. Cow has been dominating the computer again and I have been put on hold all afternoon.

And now he's asking me the price of his cigarette carton... I am pissed. Not just because the subway got delayed this morning, not just because we reviewed the 2014 Japan Cup and I remembered that I hadn't won while Cow had, and not just because the shift key on this keyboard doesn't work properly, but because I had been put on hold for hours and he's still bugging while I am trying to think.

The End

Caterpillar

3:46 p.m. I just happened to take a glimpse of the netkeiba news and saw the headline from jockey, Kenichi Ikezoe's interview. It said, "I want to WIN. That's all I want to say." Not to mention I burst out laughing.

No wonder as his performance for this spring's G1 races are as follows: Ohka-sho, Sinhalite, 2nd place, Satsuki-sho, Lord Quest, 8th place, Tennno-sho, Curren Mirotic, 2nd place, NHK Mile Cup, Lord Quest, 2nd place, Victoria Mile Cup, Shonan Pndra, 3rd place.

And this week he's riding Sinhalite in Japanese Oaks. Of course he wants to win.

The End

Caterpillar

5:28 p.m. I was going to write about the barrier draw of Japanese Oaks, but something came up yesterday.

I had a call from an old friend that she needed help. My friend working in a kindergarten, wanted me to translate a letter to their English teacher, as they were going to have their first English class on Friday.

Actually, I did both the writing and the translation. Though to my surprise, I enjoyed the task and was glad to be able to help my friend. So I'm not complaining, just feeling a bit daunted looking at the pile of work left in front of me now.

The End

Caterpillar

3:57 p.m. So, the barrier draw for the Japanese Oaks.

Sinhalite, probably the most favored, is in post number 3, At The Seaside is in 4, Win Fabulous is in 9, Angel Face is in 11, Chequino is in 13, Jealousy in 16, Rottenmeier is in 17.

Unfortunately though, I'm too drained and sleepy to comment on it.

The End

Caterpillar

2:11 p.m. Again, I've been driven by workoads and haven't been able to ponder my options for the race. So will write what I can at this point, though am going to give it a good thinking later, if I don't doze off.

As I've said before, I still think Sinhalite can be a trusful key horse. That is, unless she keeps her weight till the day of the race. She's originally a small horse, and having performed well in 2 grade races in the past 2 months, I can't say I'm not worried about her damage.

My candidates for the wheel (at this point) are, From My Heart, Peptide Supple, Denko Ange, Win Fabulous, Angel Face, Red Avancer, Rottenmeier, and the just-in-case At The Seaside.

The End

Caterpillar

6:01 p.m. Sinhalite performed great and proved that she was a really tough horse. She could have given up the race especially on the home stretch, when she had to change her course more than once, but she didn't. Congrats to Ikezoe, who finally won a G1!

Biche, I didn't have on my wheel at all. I thought the members were too high level for her, though it seems I was wrong. Still, I think there's some gap between Chequino, Biche and Sinhalite, a gap more than what met my eyes. Denko Ange, Win Fabulous and Rottenmeier need some rest and refreshment, as their loss were mainly caused by their poor condition.

I didn't go to the off-track betting today since Mr. N-jima declined, and it turned out to be a good refreshment for myself. The Japanese Oaks also served as a good prep race for the coming D'erby.

The End

Caterpillar

5:43 p.m. Bent over the table and resting my head on my folded arms, I had been drowsing when the paper guy came in to collect the bills.

He apologized for interrupting my luxurious sleep, and said that he understood how I can be so tired as to fall asleep, recalling the time he dropped in some time earlier to bring the evening edition. At the time I was too occupied to even say the greetings. I felt obliged to his caring humbleness and told him not to worry, that I hadn't been that busy or tired, but we both had a laugh about the situation.

In fact, I was only resting since the computer was occupied by Cow as usual, and there was nothing else I could do.

The End

Caterpillar

5:44 p.m. It's already past five? Unbelievable. What have I been doing all this time?

I've been to a neighbor's house in a while where their new pet dog greeted me with enthusiasm. In fact, she was too excited that she peed on the floor while jumping up and down, and not just once, a little here and a little there. Not to mention her owner ran back to get some pet sheets.

I do like dogs but I think this is the first time I made them pee from excitement.

The End

Caterpillar

2:35 p.m. As I was getting ready to go to sleep last night, I saw on the news caption streaming on TV that Eishin Hikari had won Prix d'Ispahan by 10 lengths.

This morning, I checked the video and confirmed it had been an easy win for the horse. I do not know the details about this race track Chantily, though am guessing it might have been a smaller course with tighter orners compared to Longchamp. If so, that might have worked as an advantage for Eishin Hikari. Later, I read Yutaka Take's comment that he wanted to try for the Prix d'l Arc de Triomphe with this horse. It might not be such a bad idea after all, if this prestigious race would be run on Chantily.

By the way, Eishin Hikari's name was spelled A Shin Hikari in local racing broadcasting, FYI.

The End

Caterpillar

5:37 p.m. It's become this late again. But well, let's take a look at the barrier draw of the Japanese D'erby.

Satsuki-sho champion Dee Majesty is in post number 1, Makahiki is in 3, Air Spinel is in 5, Lord Quest is in 7, Satono Diamond is in 8, Smart Odin is in 10, Leontes is in 12, and Vanquish Run is in 14.

Hmmm... interesting. Have only scanned the racing form but it seems cutting out the favored ones are pretty difficult. But I wonder how Dee Majesty would perform drawing this post number? Remember Kizuna and Satono Rasen.

The End

Caterpillar

2:28 p.m. I have discovered that the number of viewers are growing slightly on Fridays. Assuming that these few people come to see what I write about the G1 races, I'd like to focus on the win odds today.

Since a couple of years ago, Cow and I have realized that there are horses that become unexpectedly favored in win odds, usually on the day before G1 races. Because betting tickets for G1 races are sold from the day before the race, the win odds suddenly drop down drastically on Saturdays and then recover by Sunday, so this phenomenon goes mostly unnoticed to the people who only check the odds on Sundays. We have been observing the performance of such horses closely, and found out that they often come within 3rd place at a pretty high rate. We haven't collected enough data to test this assumption in an objective way, but we feel there must be something there.

2:56 p.m. 30 minutes ago, I dropped by netkeiba to check and see if there were any such horses in the D'erby (since it's the D'erby, betting tickets are sold from Friday), and saw that Satono Diamond who had lost in 3rd place in Satsuki-sho by 2 lengths behind the winner Dee Majesty, and 1 length even behind Makahiki, has shot up to the most favored in win odds. The odds for your information, being 2.5 to 1. Feeling dubious, I reloaded the page and now the most favored has been taken over by Dee Majesty, with the odds 3.0 to 1.

The End

Caterpillar

2:16 p.m. Eerrrm... I thought and thought yesterday, but still can't decide the key horse.

It's tormenting for someone like me expecting a long shot, because the top 5 favored horses all seem to have the chance to perform well. I think Dee Majesty is likely to perform poorly if the lap becomes faster than average on the other hand, Makahiki won't be able to catch the front if it slackens to a slow lap. Faster laps can advantage Leontes as well as Air Spinel, but it would most likely disadvantage Smart Odin. Not one horse is trustful enough to set as my key.

For now, I'd take Dee Majesty as my key, although I might replace him for Vankish Run later on. Other horses I named above, will be on my wheel. The reason I don't have Satono Diamond on my wheel is because I think he's the most risky.

The End

Caterpillar

10:09 p.m. I've decided that the horses from Satsuki-sho had higher potential than the others, and keyed Leontes in the end hoping that the lap would become faster than average. Vankish Run, I set him on the 3rd place because I realized that Aoba-sho winners hadn't performed well when they hadn't proved their strength in grade races.

Leontes had fought against the rider Mirco, and dropped to 2nd from last among all 18 horses by the time he came up to the last corner. No horse can win from such position unless the other horses are 2 ranks slower. He sank in 5th place unable to show his full strength. Resultingly, the top 5 horses from Satsuki-sho slid in with a slight change in their positions. With the trio payout being a mere 850 Yen, I had to console myself it wasn't my race today.

The End

Caterpillar

5:03 p.m. Already talking about Yasuda Kinen. I can't help but look forward since I only have 2 more chances left for the spring season.

Still, I think Mirco screwed up yesterday. He probably wanted to prove the horse's strength and win the race too badly, especially after the bummer of Satsuki-sho. But he acted in haste and look what happened. Leontes, I think, is a sensible horse as well as his brother Epiphaneia, and holding him down by force is not the way to control that horse. If Mirco wants to take control of the horse he should go up front, let the horse feel the speed, but never loosen the reins until the last stretch. He needs to show the horse that he's not going force him to obey, but also will not give in to the horse. Only then, the horse and rider would perform their best.

I know, we know that the horse has exceptional speed and power. We want to see it with our eyes. Fortunately, there is one more chance to prove it, Kikka-sho. For now I just hope that the owner and crew would choose the option with courage.

The End

Caterpillar

4:01 p.m. I was typing up a file for my meeting on the commuting train using my Word App on iPad. As the station I was getting off got nearer, I tried to save the document file but the App refused to saying I wasn't connected to the server. I din't know that I needed to be online to use the App, anyway I gave up, left the file opened and got off the train.

Later, I tethered my tablet to my smartphone and tried to save the file again. And this time it spat out a comment saying I already have a different file in the same name which couldn't be true. I saved the newer file and closed the App. I tried to open the file to check if it has been saved, but the file seem to have vanished somewhere. Why? What happened? Give me back my file and the time I spent to make it!

The End

Caterpillar