In the early morning twilight of the Miho Training Center woodchip track on the 4th, Ascoli Piceno unleashed a dazzling turn of foot. She trailed two horses by three-and-a-half lengths, then shot up the inside in the stretch. When her rider gave the signal with a furlong remaining, she responded with an explosive burst, covering six furlongs in 82.3 seconds, finishing with a sharp final three furlongs of 36.4 seconds and an impressive last furlong of 11.0 seconds, leaving her stablemates in the dust.

Her performance during the previous week's work was already impressive, but this time she appeared to have reached an even higher level. Trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa was visibly pleased, noting, "There was a sense of ease in her movement, and her speed was sharp. She seems to have switched on mentally, and for a return after a break, she looks well-prepared."

This spring, Ascoli Piceno placed second in both the G1 Oka Sho and G1 NHK Mile Cup, showcasing her elite-level ability in her generation, though victory slipped from her grasp. Now, the trainer is determined: "We want to get results here," he declared. Facing older horses for the first time, carrying a handicap of 55.5kg will not be an easy task, but Kuroiwa added, "We had anticipated this to some extent." All eyes are on her autumn debut, and the queen is ready to make her mark.