Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 113: Selling Marseilles
"Is Mr. Kitano still asleep?"

Although it was in the form of a question, the girl's voice was extremely firm and echoed in the room.

The first camp discussion meeting after Kitano's return began in such an atmosphere.

The trainer and the rider had hesitant expressions on their faces.

"How about, think about it again, Brother Kitano."

Ogawa Katsu said cautiously with his head lowered.

How to get riders acclimated to the American dirt track rhythm——

I got the answer to this question before leaving Hokkaido.

Just try to run a few races before the main race.

It's a surprisingly simple method.

However, for a small camp whose funding and connections can only be described as pathetic, this is not something that can be easily achieved.

Of course, there are simpler options.

After the announcement of his first Kentucky Derby run, jockey agents lined up to call Kitano.

Several foreign riders with experience riding at Churchill Park and long-standing ties to Japan have also expressed interest through their agencies.

I really don't know where they got the contact information.

However, there is no idea of ​​temporarily replacing the rider.

Especially considering that Wada Maejo performed well in both games.

In this case, there is only one way left.

With just a few practice sessions on a small track, you can show off your skills at Churchill Park.

He wasn't that optimistic.

Besides, the Hotan riders don't seem to be the naturally gifted type.

Buy a local racehorse and give it to a rider to gain experience on American dirt tracks.

This is all Kitano can consider as a horse owner.

Maybe it's not a smart idea.

However, he just wanted to give it his best effort.

That's it.

"I know what I'm doing."

Kitano's gaze fell calmly on the girl's face.

"and--"

His eyes then shifted, scanning every face in the room.

"We've put in so much effort, not just to come to America and scoop up some dirt from Churchill Gardens."

Pat, pat—

Sparse applause rang out in the corner of the room.

Under the girl's cold gaze, Ogawa Masaru and Zepu lowered their arms at the same time.

"So what's the budget?"

The corners of Ogawa Kana's mouth rose slightly, but there was no warmth in her eyes.

The next second, she sighed deeply.

“Never mind—the goal is just to get the Wada rider on the horse before the derby, right?”

Biting her nails lightly, Ogawa Kana frowned and asked.

"That's right."

Kitano shrank his neck like a scolded student.

"Then let's try it."

After saying this, the girl stood up.

"I'll try to contact the trainer Dad used to know, but don't get your hopes up."

After glancing at Kitano, her somewhat vague eyes immediately shifted away.

"Let me help too."

Kitano also stood up.

Ogawa Kana frowned slightly, as if she had heard some difficult request.

"Mr. Kitano can go and see the horse race tomorrow."

The implication is——

Don't make trouble anymore.

"Feel sorry."

Kitano subconsciously tugged at his slightly loosened tie. And so, the discussion ended abruptly.

"Asheng, what is the auction of horses?"

After leaving the room, Kitano pulled Ogawa Katsu and asked in a low voice.

Although Kitano was able to detect what Ogawa Kana meant by relying on his ability to read the air, he was completely clueless about the "sale bid" mentioned by the girl.

"Hey! Kitano-san didn't know that?"

The boy showed a somewhat surprised expression.

But after realizing it, he patted his forehead and patiently explained, "Although it may be a bit confusing to explain, just think of it as an auction for two- and three-year-old horses with less impressive pedigrees or physical qualities, with a pre-race stage."

"That's pretty much like the October auction in Hokkaido."

Kitano nodded in sudden realization.

So that's how it is.

"Ahem! It's still a little different."

Ogawa Sheng coughed a few times awkwardly.

“Generally speaking, horses for sale in the races don’t have a very good track record, but they still have potential to be tapped.”

Now Kitano finally understood.

"Isn't this Lotte's Crazy Thursday?"

Ogawa Katsu on the side had a deathly pale expression on his face.

"But if you must say so, it's not much different."

Arriving at the door of the isolation stable, the two of them skillfully changed into protective clothing.

It is called protection, but in fact it only adds trouble to the expeditionary camp.

The only good thing is that the weather in Kentucky in April is not as hot as in the Middle East.

Of course, you will inevitably feel stuffy if you wear it for a long time.

He walked into the stable with a somewhat bloated step, and the barren mountain, which was also tightly wrapped, had already arrived.

The trainer was squatting on the ground, changing the water for Mejiro Sakuya through the small movable window under the fence.

"Let me do it, Master."

Xuhe Sheng hurriedly ran up and took over the task at hand from Huangshan.

Kitano observed Mejiro Sakuya's condition through the fence.

Shipping fever, fever in the hoof, loss of appetite, and changes in gas.
These problems that might plague expedition horse racing seem to be completely non-existent when it comes to Mejiro Sakuya.

What the camp was worried about was another unusual thing happening on an expedition.

"Have you gained some weight again?"

Kitano asked doubtfully as he touched the deer-haired horse's head that was sticking out from the movable fence.

Mejiro Sakuya shook her furry ears and her three white eyes lit up with some vigilance.

"There's no point pretending not to know you. Once the quarantine is over, go and lose weight."

Patting Mejiro Sakuya's head again, Kitano couldn't help but sigh.

During the quarantine period, the racehorses' activity space was basically limited to a small part of the stable.

If you think about it this way, then getting fat isn't entirely Mejiro Sakuya's fault.

"Dr. Stephen, I believe there's no doubt that Sakuya has met the USDA's release permit criteria."

As usual, he protested to the resident veterinarian.

"No, I will not grant you release permit until the 17-day quarantine is over."

After remembering that the horse owner across the street was also a veterinarian, Stephen temporarily changed the maximum quarantine period of 14 days to 7 days.

"So, please submit your application at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning at the earliest."

After saying that, the resident veterinarian continued to stare at what Ogawa Sheng was doing with a stern face.

After taking off his protective suit, Kitano walked out of the isolation area first to wait.

He took out his cell phone and checked the latest horse racing events.

Ellis Park, also in Kentucky, will host a $3 horse race tomorrow.

"Ellis Garden?"

It seems to be not far from Louisville, where Churchill Park is located.

In that case, let’s go and take a look tomorrow.

　Thanks to Wanyi Fei for the 500 starting coins, thanks to Mingming Lurou for the 500 starting coins, thanks to Anhebing for the 100 starting coins, thanks to Mixed into the Unknown Place for the 100 starting coins, thanks to Xichuan Juebi for the 100 starting coins

　　Thank you for your support

　　Ciallo～(∠ω<)⌒★
　　Adjust your work and rest schedule today, and update three times tomorrow
　　
　
(End of this chapter)