Vronsky is so distracted after his meeting with Anna Karenina that he does not check the time until he is back in his carriage. When he finally does, he wonders if he can fulfill his obligation to Bryansky and still get to the races on time. If he does not go, he will arrive in time to see most of the races; if he goes, he will barely arrive in time for his own race. Vronsky is a man of his word, so he tells his coachman to go to Bryansky’s as quickly as the horses will go.

On the ride home he begins forget about his feelings of uncertainty about Anna Karenina and to anticipate the race instead. At his lodgings, Vronsky changes into his riding clothes and then goes to the stables. His mare is already saddled, and the trainer is about to lead her out of her stall.

Once again Vronsky looks at the mare’s exquisite lines as she trembles with anticipation and is moved by the sight. He loses himself in the crowd and intentionally avoids the upper social crowd, though he knows that Anna Karenina and his cousin Betsy are there and watching.

Soon Vronsky’s brother Alexander, in his colonel’s uniform, accosts Vronsky and asks why he has not responded to his message. Vronsky insists he stop meddling, and his brother recognizes a look on Vronsky’s face which indicates he is extremely angry, something he rarely is. Alexander knows Vronsky is quite dangerous in this state, so he tells him to answer their mother’s letter and wishes him good luck in the race before walking away.

Stepan Arkadyevitch unexpectedly stops Vronsky and asks when they can meet. They make plans to meet tomorrow in the mess hall, and Vronsky goes to the center of the racecourse where preparations are being made for the steeplechase. He sees Frou-Frou being led to the field and his eyes are drawn first to her and then to his primary competition, Gladiator. Before he can head to his mare, Vronsky is distracted by another of his acquaintances who tells him he sees Alexey Alexandrovitch in the crowd, looking for his wife.

He finally gets to the mare and the race preparations begin. He has drawn number seven and all riders are instructed to mount their horses. He slips his finger under the saddle-girth to check it, and his English trainer tells him to mount in order to calm his nerves. Vronsky examines his competitors now, as he knows he will not see them during the race.

Vronsky gets some last-minute advice: do not hold the mare back and lead the race if he can, though he is not to lose heart if he falls behind. Frou-Frou moves nervously as Vronsky mounts, and he tries in vain to soothe her. One of his trainers is leading them to the starting point of the race when Gladiator and his rider gallop by them through the mud. This display of arrogance upsets the mare and makes Vronsky angry. He does not like the rider and sees him as his most formidable competition. The mare is upset and trots to the starting line.