Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

At the end of the straight line, the opponent coming in parallel still maintains an offensive posture.

Beneath the green earmuffs, Medaihira pressed down his ears as if irritated.

Following the curve, Ochiai pulled the reins slightly.

The reins loosened and the reed horse's head raised slightly.

The playful action caused the rider's chest to beat faster and faster.

Mudai Baima's killer weapon is his control over the rhythm of the game.

And at this moment, this horse, which is known for its maneuverability, is becoming uncontrollable.

In an 1800m race, exerting force too early can easily lead to the horse's lack of stamina in the straight line.

Ochiai tapped the horse's belly with his heel, trying to calm his partner down.

"Aren't we about to be caught up?"

The reed-haired horse's ears, pressed against its head, conveyed its thoughts clearly.

However, there was no resistance from the reins.

Despite his excitement, he managed to control his anxiety.

In an atmosphere of anxiety, the game entered a straight line towards the front.

There was a slight commotion in the stands.

Medaima, who had previously been running parallel to the two horses on the outside, immediately took action without hesitation after entering the straight line.

Ochiai pulled the reins and resolutely took back the lead.

"Isn't this too early?"

Horse racing fans reacted particularly strongly to the gray and white figure at the front of the team.

In stark contrast to the horse fans, the rider's face was calm and composed.

The parallel horse, having exhausted its strength in the third and fourth turns, was no longer a match.

The only threat you need to be wary of is the one directly behind you.

After making this judgment, Ochiai forgot himself and performed the Push Ride.

If you start exerting force from this position, you will never be able to catch up.

The partner under him took a step forward while biting his mouth.

Towards the back of the front straight, the third bend, the fourth bend——

Until the final winning and losing line.

In the stands, the cheers were already boiling.

Faced with the approaching opponent, the rhythm of man and horse was not disrupted at all.

"Hold on a little longer, Pegasus!"

After swinging the whip for the first time in a long time, the rider's heart stopped beating as if it was gripped.

The moment they crossed the finish line, applause and cheers gathered into a wave, instantly sweeping across the small stands.

"Medodayama! It's Medodayama!"

"The eighth goal in history, the Daoying triple crown, has been achieved!"

Ochiai held up three fingers and gently stroked Medaihira's neck again and again.

All kinds of emotions are now gathered into the simplest form.

Really, so happy.

Doubt eventually becomes the cornerstone of glory.

The reed-haired horse slowly stopped, sticking out its tongue, and a thin layer of white sweat dripped from the junction of the saddle and the horse's back.

Facing the overwhelming calls, he nodded his head as if satisfied.

Even if he was panting, he would still stubbornly tilt his head and look towards the stands.

Under the light, there was a smug gleam in Doudou's black agate eyes.

"Look, just say I'm okay, right?"

It seems to be saying this.

When he took off the saddle to be inspected, Ochiai silently hugged Tanaka and Kitano who were waiting for him.

Use a force that is painful.

During the Kuchitori ceremony that followed, the rider patted the horse's wet head.

Pegasus, who was usually naughty and unruly, accepted his touch in an uncharacteristic way.

Tanaka watched this scene quietly.

next moment--

The horse owner, trainer, and production farm representatives all raised the victory rope together.

------------

“He’s the kind of horse that can never lose at this distance.”

—Interview with the 47th Crown Award Winner (Ochiai Genta, Tanaka Stables)

"I'm really happy, it's great to win anyway.

However, Pegasus is still quite exhausted, and we'll have to wait for a detailed examination before we can give an answer to the condition of his legs."

—Interview with the winning trainer of the 47th Crown Awards (Trainer Junji Tanaka)

"【The crown rewards a white horse.

The 47th Crown Stakes held at Monbetsu Racecourse today was won by the popular Medaipei (M3, Hokkaido, Tanaka Junji stable) ridden by Genta Ochiai (Hokkaido), achieving the triple crown.

Since the Ringing Deep Cave in 2023, the first Hokkaido Triple Crown horse to win the title has been born in three years.

- National Association of Racing (NAR) Formula

Yesterday's draft data was lost, so I can only re-code it and post it again

In addition, some content has been slightly deleted

Today is the usual 4,000-word update.

Chapter 146 Not Completely Good, Not Completely Bad

After the game, Kitano didn't leave the gate until very late that day.

Immersing my body in the cool bath water washed away the fatigue from returning from the racecourse.

Then, wrapped in the warm quilt, it became heavy.

Soon my consciousness slipped into the abyss of sleep, and I couldn't even remember when I closed my eyes.

The moment I opened my eyes the next morning, my heart still couldn't calm down.

Of course, it's not entirely a joyful emotion.

Although I slept very soundly, the first thing I felt when I woke up was soreness in my muscles, especially my wrists.

After signing hundreds of times, anyone would become like this.

When he lifted the quilt, he picked up his cell phone as usual.

[President, please come and take a look at Pegasus's joints.]

The sender was horse trainer Tanaka.

The time is just now 5:32.

It was so brief that it made one's heart tighten.

Kitano didn't dare to delay, put on his coat and hurried to Monbetsu Racecourse.

When we arrived at the stable, Tanaka was already waiting at the door.

The trainer looked like he hadn't rested much, his face filled with fatigue from the night.

"The veterinarian's feedback is synovitis."

After a quick greeting, Tanaka spoke in a hoarse and low voice.

Synovitis is an inflammation of the joints caused by excessive fluid accumulation, and is common in joints that are prone to overuse, such as the wrist, hoof, or fetlock.

Although it is only a mild inflammation, repeated attacks or improper treatment can cause damage to the articular cartilage and may eventually worsen into more severe osteoarthritis.

Such professional knowledge flashed through my mind.

"Are you sure it's just synovitis?"

Kitano asked as he walked in the corridor of the stables.

The initial symptoms of osteoarthritis are very similar to those of synovitis, but the degree of harm they cause is completely different.

The former is an irreversible degenerative disease.

"It has been confirmed through X-rays, and it is indeed synovitis."

Tanaka answered with a heavy tone that was almost a sigh.

Outside the stable, Kobayashi, the stable attendant, also had a heavy expression on his face.

Upon seeing Kitano, he bowed deeply and said, "I'm very sorry, President... I didn't notice the abnormality in time."

Kitano waved his hand gently and sighed, "There's nothing we can do about it."

Even in racehorses with synovitis, lameness or joint warmth is usually not noticeable.

Apart from joint swelling that may be caused by fluid accumulation, it is basically difficult to discern abnormalities with the naked eye.

Being able to discover and diagnose it on the second day of the competition is quite remarkable.

Glancing into the stable, I saw Baima leaning against the wall and yawning.

The left hind leg, which suffers from synovitis, has been put in an elastic brace.

"excuse me."

Having said this, he walked into the stable.

After removing the bandage, there was hardly any sign of swelling hidden under the gray-white hair.

However, when palpated, there is indeed a slightly warm fluid sensation near the fetlock.

When pressed, the reed-haired horse shook its tail anxiously.

Standing up, Kitano put the protective gear back on.

"Have you taken any medicine?"

He turned around and asked.

"The vet prescribed a week's supply of flunixin meglumine."

Kobayashi, the stable attendant, gave an immediate answer.

"It's a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug."

Kitano nodded.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as flunixin meglumine, phenylbutazone, and fenoproxen can effectively relieve inflammation and pain in the short term.

However, since it can easily induce gastric ulcers and even kidney diseases, the dosage must be strictly controlled when used.

For mild synovitis, a week's supply of flunixin meglumine is indeed sufficient.

"In that case, let's go back to Mejiro Ranch and recuperate."

He patted the head of the reed-haired horse that kept rubbing against him and spoke.

Although the renovation of the three P-level stables will not be completed until after September, the rehabilitation training center part has basically been installed.

Providing rest and injury recovery support for racehorses between seasons was Kitano's original consideration when renovating the ranch.