With the title of 2023 JRA Best Dirt Horse, Lemon Pop is back in Miho Training Center ahead of his international campaign for the G1 Saudi Cup. Retired jockey and trainer Yuichi Fukunaga rode Lemon Pop for his fast track work. The pair clocked 81.7 seconds for the final six furlongs and 12.2 seconds for the final furlong.

Fukunaga reflected, "(He's a) very nice horse and very well looked after. His form suggests he is a sprinter but trainer Tanaka is doing such an amazing job making that speed stay for distance."

Fukunaga is also getting ready for his new career as a trainer. He commented, "I am learning so much from trainer Tanaka with his detailed work and his ability to train racehorses. The way they train here is a bit different from Western Japan so it is very interesting."

Trainer Tanaka added, "Lemon Pop has always been showing renewed potential and I wanted to get to know him more. That is why I asked Yuichi to ride him for fast work. His feedback was similar to what I have been feeling about this horse so it was a great day of training."