Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 120 The Stage Opens
On April 28, Churchill Park, which had been raining for several days, finally welcomed a rare sunny day.

The sun was gentle, and the deer-haired horse walked slowly and leisurely.

The rider on horseback looked calm, and his white and green clothes were particularly dazzling.

Beside the track, the bustling sight almost overflowed the fence.

Training in public under the watchful eyes of thousands of people is a necessary rite of passage for almost every horse that is destined for the Kentucky Derby or Oaks Stakes.

"Rather than training itself, what we need to do today is to adapt to the atmosphere of the competition."

I received this instruction from Master Huangshan.

The Kentucky Derby and the final stage of Japan's classic Triple Crown, the Chrysanthemum Appreciation, both start in front of the stands.

If you can't play calmly amid the noise, you will probably lose the rhythm of the entire game.

This is a tremendous test for both the rider and the horse.

Although she had performed well on big stages like Saudi Arabia and Dubai before, it was the first time for Mejiro Sakuya to hear the cheers of 150,000 people.

Entering the track, Hetian gently pulled the reins with his wrist.

The deer-hair horse took small steps and approached the railing with a clattering sound.

Behind Mejiro Sakuya, the ponytail swayed gently like a whip.

"Can I feed her some carrots, please?"

The little audience in front of the railing raised their heads and asked hopefully.

"NO."

After a brief hesitation, Hetian shook his head.

The "Overseas Expedition Precautions: United States Edition" co-authored by Ogawa Kana, Kitano, and Arashiyama has been circulated within the camp for a long time.

"Don't feed racehorses anything that is unsafe, and don't let strangers feed them."

Such warnings are placed quite prominently.

Although he didn't doubt the child, Hetian didn't want to destroy the rules that the camp had jointly maintained.

"but--"

Pulling the reins, the rider continued, "You can touch her."

As a result, many spectators at the front of the railing leaned out and reached out to touch various parts of Mejiro Sakuya's body.

The deer-haired horse tilted its head inward and lowered it slightly to match the audience's movements.

"It looks fine."

The heat in my ears was gradually replaced by peace.

For Hotan, this was also a completely unfamiliar experience.

In Japan, a game is just a game.

Although there are also many enthusiastic horse fans, the horses, riders and even the competition itself——

It is such concrete things that they yearn for.

But in the United States, the picture is different.

Horse racing fans dressed up as if they were attending a feast, regardless of wind or rain.

In Churchill Gardens, revelry is the reason they come here.

After the parade-like training, the six people in the camp gathered in front of the stables.

“The horseback felt just as smooth as usual, with no stage fright at all.”

Hetian, a rider, was the first to report.

"Thanks a lot."

Putting down the list of notes in his hand, Huangshan nodded and said lightly.

The Kentucky Derby, like the Breeders' Cup Series, maintains the tradition of having officials draw the prizes.

This is undoubtedly a good thing for the expedition team, which generally has bad luck.

At the draw ceremony yesterday afternoon, Mejiro Sakuya drew the fifth position among twenty horses.

It’s hard to say whether it’s good or bad. After the draw results came out, the camps just had a brief discussion and put it aside for the time being.

The specific strategy for leaving the race will not be determined until after the Ascot Stakes. Unlike the other four strong horses aiming for victory, both the Awkward Stables and the Barren Hill Stables are treating this preparatory race on the Oaks Day as a warm-up before the main race.

Katuna's gate position in the Ascot Stakes was second among the six runners.

Worried that the chestnut horse's not-so-outstanding physique would put it at a disadvantage in a collision, Wada put forward a more conservative initial plan after the gate draw for the Yashibao Stakes was completed.

"You can ride however you want, the important thing is to get as familiar with the racing as possible."

As for the rider's riding expectations, Master Huangshan did not give any advice as usual.

Leave the initiative of judging the competition to the rider——

This was the decision Huangshan made after watching videos of previous Kentucky Derbys many times.

In such a chaotic situation where there is no concrete situation to speak of, anything can happen.

Compared to the guys standing on the sidelines, the riders on horseback can immerse themselves in the complex trends of the game.

Both his talent as a trainer and his experience in the Kentucky Derby are far inferior to those of his potential opponents.

Rather than making rash decisions, it is better to try your best after ensuring that it will not cause any trouble.

Huangshan has a clear understanding of the role he plays.

"Since there are no problems, let's train tomorrow and the day after tomorrow to maintain our form."

As he said this, the trainer began to stretch Mejiro Sakuya on flat ground.

The rare sunshine in Kentucky in early summer hit his back, and he subconsciously pursed his lips as he exerted force on his wrist.

Soon, beads of sweat covered Huangshan's forehead.

The event staff who were looking for promotional materials took the opportunity to capture this scene.

"How's she doing, TEARMAN?"

After pressing the shutter, the staff asked with a smile.

TEARMAN——

This is a nickname given by an American journalist.

Even in faraway Kentucky, the frequent negative remarks during interviews with Barren Mountain quickly created a reputation for him.

Of course, it cannot be said to be the positive side.

This nickname gradually spread in Churchill Park, and reporters, racecourse staff and even some fellow trainers began to call Tarman "TARMAN".

But the trainer seemed unfazed.

Just like the name "Crying Wild Mountain" in the past, Wild Mountain accepted this new nickname with a smile.

“She’s ready for the Kentucky Derby.”

The trainer raised his head and replied, but quickly returned to focusing on the task at hand.

How many times have you traveled so far to circle the earth?

Huangshan himself has no exact number for this.

Starting from Xiaolin Ranch, to the King Abdulaziz Stadium in Riyadh, then to the Meydan Stadium in Dubai, and finally the end of the journey -

Churchill Gardens in Louisville.

In just three months, I have traveled back and forth between the four countries so many times that I can hardly count them.

In a true sense, it can be said to be a long journey traveling east and west.

During this period, the work on the well cannot be put on hold.

Faced with situations that cannot be solved by remote work, even commuting within the same day has become commonplace.

The trainer watched as Ogawa Masaru escorted Mejiro Sakuya into the stable.

It was not until a long time later that he slowly looked away.

It is far from time to relax.

　Thanks to Yabai Desne for the 100 starting coins reward

　　Thank you for your support

　　Ciallo～(∠ω<)⌒★
　　
　
(End of this chapter)