Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

Watching the figures of the man and the horse disappear into the distance with some worry, Kitano slipped into the "L-WING" stands as if escaping.

After the renovation in 30, the "L-WING" stand was reborn as the largest illumination attraction in the Kanto region.

Although I was unable to see the famous light show at Oi Racecourse, the distance between the stands and the reviewing ground was not too far.

This is really helpful for horse owners who come to watch the race on a hot day.

Moreover, the finish line is right in front of the seats, and the display screen on the table allows you to clearly observe the direction of the race.

however--

The evening sun easily penetrated the huge glass windows in front of me, and even in the air-conditioned room, I could feel the stuffiness in the air.

He took out a towel from his sports bag and wiped the sweat off his face, his eyes fixed on the small display screen.

As the red warning light came on, five running horses ran out of the gate one after another.

The 1200m two-year-old horse race in the sixth race of Ooi started out in a somewhat chaotic manner from the start.

"Oh!"

A loud sigh came from behind Kitano.

The old horse owner, whom I had just met at the parade ground, was banging his head hard.

"So it's your beloved horse that's late."

In comparison, Atalanta's small bite after leaving the gate was nothing.

Almost the moment the gate opened, the small chestnut-haired figure jumped to the front.

He walked forward without hesitation, as if he was running away from something.

"It's definitely a bite—"

Kitano leaned closer to the screen, staring at the reins that were obviously stretched straight between the rider's palms, and couldn't help but think.

The third and fourth turns, the pace was smooth all the way.

As if she wanted to leave her opponent and fear behind, Atalanta did not relax her pace at all.

Go forward, and forward again, until even the shadow can't catch up.

The moment they crossed the finish line, similar emotions emerged in the hearts of horse owners, trainers and riders.

Emotions that are more subtle than simple joy or frustration.

Anyway, I still won—

"I lost after all."

The old man behind him sighed with regret.

In a short-distance race, it would be abnormal to win even if you are late.

With his sports bag on his back, Kitano walked towards the exit of the stands.

When they arrived at the site of the Kuchi-dori ceremony, Atalanta seemed to still be fighting with the stable boy.

In the area between the main track and the Kuchidori ceremony, the chestnut horse stopped as if frightened by something, and refused to move forward no matter how hard they pulled.

"Then let's stay here."

Seeing Atalanta's front hooves firmly stuck in the sand, the few people had no choice but to shake their heads and accept the place it chose.

Sasagawa patted the chestnut horse's wet neck, took off his bib number and walked towards Kitano.

"I'm sorry, President. I didn't hold her back."

The rider lowered his head in shame.

"This is also impossible."

Lifting a corner of the bib number, Kitano patted his shoulder and said.

Horse racing is something that is difficult to precisely control by human factors.

On the other side of the Kuchidori rope, Majima wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead, his face showing a complex expression of mixed emotions.

Behind him, Ishikawa Rider, wearing the Doroki Akaboshi San Victory Suit, raised the commemorative plaque in his hand.

[celebration]

【50 wins achieved!!】

Chapter 145 The Foundation of Glory

July 8st, dusk.

The Donan Bus arrived at the Monbetsu Racecourse-mae bus stop a little earlier than usual.

The car door opened wide and passengers poured out like a tide.

In front of me is the brightly lit racecourse, and behind me is the vast plains of Hokkaido with a blue curtain hanging down.

When the doors closed again, only the driver and a few passengers were left on the bus that shared the same name as today's popular horse.

Young people dragging their suitcases, making a lot of noise; experienced horse racing fans, clutching racing papers under their arms, walking hurriedly; foreign tourists carrying huge mountaineering bags and holding SLR cameras—

When the red light and green light alternate, a mixed stream of people rushes to the entrance of the racecourse like ants returning to their nest.

"If it's the outer loop route that hasn't been used much today, it would be quite advantageous for the lead horse."

"Starting from the second gate, as long as Pegasus can successfully take the lead, nothing will go wrong."

From any perspective, there is no reason for the two-time champion, who carries twice the popularity of Taiwan, to lose the game.

"But, after all, it's that Pegasus."

Such a voice suddenly came from the crowd.

The white guy who lifts and lowers the joys and sorrows of horse racing fans, stirring up everyone's emotions.

The Pegasus with his clever mind, elusive and difficult to control.

It was this kind of him who finally stood on the final stage of the Daoying Triple Crown.

Amid the sound of shutter clicks, the rider pursed his lips and climbed onto the body that was beginning to turn gray.

So much for the pre-race uncertainty.

Across the horse's back came the familiar bumps.

The track of the debut circle, with a mixture of hoof sounds and footsteps, gradually became blurred in front of my eyes.

There is only one goal left in my mind——

We must win the Daoying Triple Crown.

“Hopefully I can become a Triple Crown trainer.”

It is said that Master Tanaka set this goal from the beginning of his career.

However, he is not the kind of person who would easily reveal his thoughts.

Not only that, I didn't even feel any such thoughts or gestures.

Planning training and managing the stables as usual, apart from the fact that the trees were becoming increasingly sparse, it seemed no different from any other day.

Even early in the day of the race, it was business as usual.

If there is anything I, as an unsuccessful disciple, have learned in the past few years, it is probably this kind of calm attitude.

Ochiai gently brushed his palm through the mane, using this method to remind his partner below him—

It's time to get serious.

Despite his overwhelming popularity, Pegasus also faces many doubts.

"That Ochiai guy has never won the Crown Prize, has he?"

"The last time we met Beihai Youjun, it was a bit of a stretch."

"If it weren't for the white eyes."

What made it even harder for him to accept was some widely circulated remarks:

"As long as the competition gets a little bit more intense, Pegasus will be completely defeated."

There is no obvious physical growth, and mentally the horse is still as childish as it was at two years old.

Even winning the first two titles, Beidou Cup and Beihai Youjun, was attributed to earlier development than horses of the same age.

Amidst the interweaving of expectations and doubts, the rider silently made a vow:

"I know Pegasus better than anyone."

"At this distance, he will never lose."

Carrying the dreams of more than one person, man and horse stepped into the gate together.

"Well, there shouldn't be any problem."

Tanaka, who had been waiting at the railing, nodded.

As a trainer who is not a rider, I rarely judge the horse's condition based on intuitive factors such as "feeling".

but--

"As long as there are no mistakes, we can definitely win."

This was exactly the feeling that came to my mind as I watched the familiar gray-white horse enter the gate.

It is not a specific reason such as the gate position is advantageous, or the outer circle route is favorable for the inside first position.

Even Tanaka, who doesn't rely on intuition, occasionally makes intuitive considerations.

"Yeah, we can definitely win."

The two stable boys from Tanaka Stables nodded in unison.

As for why——

After all, Pegasus is quite popular.

The horn of Hokkaido's grand prize sounded, and the lingering sound slowly dissipated into the deep night sky.

It's time for the competition.

"This is the final twelfth match of the day, the final stage of the battle for the three-year-old king."

"Hokkaido Shimbun Cup, 47th Crown Award, Hokkaido Second Level Tournament, Satomi Crown Award."

Even the live broadcasts that used to be slow seemed to have a touch of excitement when they were broadcasted through the radio today.

"Three-year-old limited mixed race, 1,800 meters outside the gate, nine runners."

In a moment of silence, the gray-white horse took a step forward without hesitation.

Cheers and applause followed, and Mudanma took the lead as usual.

The grey-haired horse, which had been showing its childish side to the camera before entering the gate, was now running towards the front stand with steady steps.

This contrast between sophistication and determination aroused enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

"That's it, Pegasus!"

Kitano in the crowd waved his arms like an ordinary horse fan.

Ogawa Jō and Ogawa Katsu beside him had already started cheering with red faces.

In stark contrast to the powerful Mudashi, the eight rivals seemed a little slow in their exit.

On horseback, Ochiai held the reins firmly and did not get carried away by his slight advantage in the initial game.

He tilted his head to observe his opponent's movements, then decisively moved towards the inside.

The track was in pretty good condition, so even if we were a little further inside it wouldn't be a problem.

Without much urging, two or three racehorses quickly came up from the outside.

"Just be patient a little longer."

This request was conveyed to Medaima through the reins.

Now is not the time to speed up.