Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

Overseas expeditions are not easy.

But precisely because they all had such a strong vision for the future, the expedition team, with the same goal in mind, finally saw the scenery of Churchill Gardens after six months of hard work.

I have been confused, taken long detours, and encountered setbacks.

It might not be perfect, but that's what he strives for.

"I sincerely thank you all for your hard work over the past five months."

Kitano bowed deeply and ended the expedition's final meeting with these words.

Regarding tomorrow's game, we may deliver a performance far better than today, or we may be overwhelmed.

Horse owners, trainers, and riders have different attitudes, but they all hold similar views.

Victory doesn't come for granted.

but--

They are ready for it.

"Mr. Kitano, what are your plans after the Kentucky Derby?"

On the way back to the guest room, Huangshan, who was walking behind Kitano, asked.

"Maybe I'll go back to Hokkaido first."

Kitano's eyes became a little long.

Tomorrow, Mejiro Sakuya and Mejiro Baima will start their respective games at very close times.

The Hokkaido Racing Association will naturally not miss such a gimmick.

In addition to moving up the schedule for the Beidou Cup, they also gritted their teeth and bought the broadcasting rights for the Kentucky Derby and organized viewing activities at the Menbie Racecourse.

It is said that the reserved seats were sold out several weeks ago.

Of course, such an action made Kitano feel a little regretful as he had to miss the Medahiramaba competition.

Don’t miss the Beihai Youjun Fair held in June.

"in addition--"

After pressing the elevator button, Kitano paused slightly.

"Regardless of the outcome of the Kentucky Derby, I hope to keep Sakuya in the United States for a while."

Huangshan accepted this fact calmly.

Ever since the Saudi Derby, he has been wondering how many more times this incredible horse can run with him.

Now, this question seems to have an answer.

"Are you going to breed?"

The trainer's voice was much hoarser than he had imagined.

"Breeding——"

The elevator door slowly opened in sight, and Kitano took the first step.

"But there's something else that's more important."

A long time ago, there was something that lingered in his mind.

"I have submitted an appointment request for surgery to the biomedical laboratory at Johns Hopkins University."

After the operation, more than 97% of the patient's motor ability will be restored, and the effects of lameness will be almost unnoticeable from the outside.

After the trainer entered the elevator, he pressed the button to close the door.

"Whatever her future path is, I hope she can continue running with a normal gait."

The price of the surgery is $132000, in US dollars.

Huangshan remained silent until the elevator door opened again.

“Is that so—”

The corners of his mouth pursed and then relaxed quickly.

"She is truly a beloved young lady."

Chapter 123 Dream Garden

May 2, 2026, Churchill Green.

The continuous heavy rain soaked the track into a muddy and unsuitable field.

"Mr. Kitano."

Before going to the preparation room, Wada found Kitano standing at the door of the stable looking at the rain.

The rider's lips moved, and his words became blurred in the rain.

Soon after, the horse owner nodded.

Turning around and walking into the heavy rain, only determination remained on Hetian's face.

A few minutes later, controversial trainer Barfouda was the first to leave the stables.

Following behind him was a group of more than ten people in formal attire, in addition to the one who wished you well from Ichibanzha.

Then came the second and third rounds.

Aimon Xin, the trainer who was leaving the horse for the fourth time, was almost emotionally broken before leaving, and his fingers were shaking as he made the sign of the cross.

In such an occasion, no one would laugh at his gaffe.

"Let's go too."

Kitano turned up his collar and took a deep breath.

Then, he took a step forward.

At first, this may have been a product of horse racing's imperfect times.

But 152 years later, the event has become an inseparable part of the Kentucky Derby.

Any team that dares to challenge this event needs to cross the mud of Churchill Park and walk towards the open-air stables in front of the parade ring amid the noise of the mountain torrent in the stands.

Regardless of people or horses.

Walking from the stable to the track, the rain mixed with mud quickly soaked Kitano's leather shoes.

The reporter who was interviewing them was wearing a raincoat and quickly came up to them.

"You are the first mares to challenge this event since 2010. Now that you are here, could you please tell us how you feel?"

The trainer's footsteps were sometimes shallow and sometimes deep, and the microphone in the reporter's hand had to shake in sync with his body.

"Just standing here makes me excited, but I think we can do better!"

Huangshan panted as he showed off his patchwork of Japanese English.

"Okay, good luck to you, Barren Mountain."

The reporter hurried to the next camp.

The interview ends here.

A decent gate position, advantages in physique and weight, impressive forward performances, and engaging interactions with fans during open training.

All this made Mejiro Sakuya the star of the Kentucky Derby Day, with many people willing to shout her name to cheer her on.

But that's not enough to make it the favorite in the race.

Fifth Popularity——

For the only mare among the twenty runners, this seems a reasonable ranking.

However, neither Kitano nor his team were satisfied with this.

“We can do better!”

As he said this, Kitano stuck his head over the railing and accepted a horse fan's invitation to take a photo.

Not far away, another horse fan seemed to want to play the song "Legend of Horse Jump" on the saxophone in his hand.

However, it might be because of the rainy day, or maybe I was just too nervous, but after several attempts, I only produced seriously out-of-tune staccato notes.

But Kitano still gave him a thumbs up.

"MEJIRO——"

Amidst the hysterical shouts in my ears, there was suddenly a burst of orderly cheering.

Kitano turned his head to look at the stands, and then he saw the banner held high in the rain.

He opened his mouth to say something, but the team behind him had already arrived.

So he could only wave his arms hurriedly in the direction of the banner.

Leaving the muddy track, we passed through a short underground passage and arrived at the stable for the final adjustments.

Under the pouring rain, Kitano's heartbeat couldn't help but accelerate.

"Running for the roses!"

The old woman in a wide-brimmed hat clenched her fists and screamed in front of the camera with a frenzy that was completely inconsistent with her outfit.

The horse fans in the center of the ring screamed and applauded her.

The rain is getting heavier.

Among the crowd in the appearance circle, the horse fans leaning against the railing on the second floor, all dressed in bright clothes, were exposed to the rain, and no one thought of holding an umbrella.

In the preparation room on the other side, Hetian pursed his lips and wrapped the black ribbon around his wrist.

In two weeks it will be my eighth birthday.

He hoped to report to the good opera that had passed away with a victory and his head held high.

"Amen."

The Venezuelan rider Casaluano also opened his eyes and ended his prayer.

The two of them stood up almost simultaneously.

"Senior Wada, this way."

Sakai grabbed Wada as he was heading for the exit and pointed to the corner of the preparation room: "You forgot to take the photo."

Several riders who had already taken their positions gave him friendly smiles.

Norihiro Yokoyama and Li Muhua, who also represented Japan, laughed out loud without hesitation.

"Come over here."

Old Yokoyama waved to Wada to sit in front of him, then patted him on the shoulder.

"You have to work harder, Ryuji!"

A photographer wearing a suit in Kentucky Derby colors raised his camera.

Facing the camera, the riders in colorful clothes smiled to varying degrees.

The corners of Hetian's mouth rose slightly, and his upper body was straight.

After the shutter click, they have become part of history.

While waiting, Ogawa Masaru finished saddling Mejiro Sakuya in the open-air stable.

The trainer stood outside the stable, half of his body soaked by the rain, checking the condition of the bit.

Kitano in the corner had a calm expression on his face, but the bowler hat in his hand was slightly deformed from being rubbed.

Kimura felt dizzy and had to press his body against the wall in his heavy tuxedo.

Mejiro Sakuya stuck out half of her tongue and looked at the scene in front of her curiously with her three white eyes.

As the body swayed, the red bow woven into the mane swayed.

Ogawa Kana stepped forward, tied a slightly loose bow again, and then rubbed the deer-haired horse's tongue.

"We'll be leaving soon."