Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 124: Starry Sky
At dawn in the morning, an unusual scene occurred at the Menbie Racecourse.

Both the A stand that can accommodate 1300 people and the "North Star" stand that can accommodate 800 people are already full.

During the non-competition period, the gate welcomed the largest number of entries since last year's JBC 2-year-old elite horses.

4963 people.

A large number of horse racing fans who failed to book designated seats were still lingering in front of the entrance of the racecourse.

The red of the Kentucky Derby, the blue of the Big Dipper Cup, the green and white of the White Eyed, different blocks of color slowly moved in front of the narrow entrance.

Before entering, many people will briefly stop under the wooden sign donated to the racecourse by the Hidaka Construction Association.

Hold up your phone and take a picture of yourself with the promotional poster.

Or the poster itself.

On the giant poster that looks like a curtain, there are figures of deer hair and reed hair dancing together.

【星よ、駆けろ——】

Star-like

Although it was suspected of plagiarizing JRA, this slogan still received a good response among horse fans.

In Hokkaido, where thick snow accumulates in winter, excessive horse racing facilities are unnecessary.

As one of the few racecourses in the country that has not yet installed real-time broadcast screens, Menbie still relies on LED broadcast vehicles to broadcast the images.

Two broadcast vehicles stopped in front of the main stand. The overly small screen was a little blurry to the crowd outside the front edge of the railing.

However, the horse racing fans remained enthusiastic and all lowered their heads and took out their mobile phones.

Before the broadcast officially began, the music of the Gonggao Wind Band sounded in the cool breeze.

A piece called "Mejiro Hymn".

After the performance, horse fans gave applause at the right time.

"Ah, it's begun!"

I don't know who shouted this first.

The focus of attention returned to the broadcast and the mobile phone screen.

Even the girls in the wind band couldn't help but quicken their pace as they left the stage.

In Monbetsu, Hokkaido, and other places that were concerned about this match—

Countless eyes were cast on Derby Day on the other side of the earth.

Inclement weather did not prevent the debut lap from showing.

One racehorse after another stepped into the rain.

Kitano held up the rider's boots and helped him climb onto the horse's back.

Huangshan and Xuhe Sheng held the leash on each side and walked towards the horse farm.

The sound of a trombone came to my ears.

“Born in the valley and raised in the trees.”

The Cardinal Marching Band and Choir from the University of Louisville sang that classic piece.

Run for the Roses

“Of western Kentucky on wobbly knees.”

One by one, audience members joined in the chorus.

Then, it quickly evolved into a chorus of 100,000 people.

"please."

In the underground passage, Kitano raised his hand and high-fived Wada on his horse.

Watching the figures of the man and the horse gradually disappear from sight, he and Huangshan came to the stand of the related people.

Not far away, Master Yahagi, wearing a rose-colored bowler hat, nodded slightly to them.

"Mr. Kitano."

Beside Master Yahagi, a middle-aged man wearing a transparent raincoat over his suit walked over.

He is also a big industrialist from Japan and a new horse owner who has been gaining popularity in recent years.

Although they had never met before, Kitano was not unfamiliar with the man's name.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fujita."

He bowed slightly, which made the other person's hand, which was about to be extended, freeze in place.

However, Fujita smiled kindly, withdrew his hand, and bowed slightly. This was their first and last exchange until the match began.

Unlike the American horse owner who yelled and shared his thoughts in detail with reporters, the two people from Japan leaned silently at the front of the railing, casting similar yet different gazes at the racecourse.

The two trainers followed behind their respective horse owners, also looking towards the racecourse.

Kimura kept wiping away tears and confided to the reporter from the Dongti Expeditionary Sports Bureau the difficulties faced by Hidaka producers.

At the edge of the camera is Kitano's calm profile.

He is not a man who likes to show off.

In fact, he had no power to show off.

Except for Hidaka from her place of origin, almost everyone who cares about this game is not optimistic about Mejiro Sakuya's performance in the future.

But for Kitano, this doesn't matter.

At least for now, nothing could draw his attention away from the game at hand.

As a first-time Kentucky Derby owner, Kitano was cautious and restrained about his surroundings.

In the stands was a crowd that continued to scream.

In this regard, it seems no different from Japan.

But he always had some feeling that he couldn't explain.

No—

Horse racing in the two countries is essentially different.

But soon, he turned his attention to the direction of the gate.

As for the question just now, I will leave it to the management of the two countries' Jockey Clubs and horse racing cultural experts to answer.

With his elbows propped up against the railing, Kitano immersed himself in the Kentucky Derby's big day with a calmness that was out of tune with the surrounding atmosphere.

Reporters from NBC captured the scene.

They will follow every horse owner participating in the Kentucky Derby and film the entire process, and release the winner's segment after the race.

Few people can remain calm in the frenzy of 150,000 people, but it would not be surprising if such a horse owner really appeared.

All they have to do is witness and record.

"call--"

Before the end of "Run for the Roses", the pairing of Wada and Mejiro Sakuya had already stepped into the mud of Churchill Gardens.

Unlike the four racehorses in front of her, she did not stick closely to the guiding horse. Mejiro Sakuya's reaction made the guiding horse rider a little embarrassed.

However, under Hetian's control, the deer-hair horse still followed the pace of the four horses in front and slowly walked towards the gate.

"This year, there were 158,000 fans at Churchill Gardens."

"On the first Saturday in May 2026, find out who will win the 152nd Kentucky Derby!"

A somewhat rough voice came from the radio.

The crowd, dressed in their best clothes, raised their beer and cola bottles, making a continuous and indistinguishable noise.

Watching the figures of Lumao and the white and green-clothed man being swallowed by the gate, Kitano's originally rapid heartbeat began to calm down.

From now on, there is no point in being anxious.

In this moment, feelings of satisfaction and emptiness overlap.

He has already made up his mind.

Whether it is success -

Or fail.

Be careful not to think about the past, and don’t wish for the future.

Witness it with your own eyes until the very end of the story.

This is the only thought in Kitano's mind at this moment.

The horse wearing the number 21 also entered the gate.

The rider's temples exuded a warmth different from that of the rain.

Contest--

about to start.

(End of this chapter)