Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

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.

Ochiai, mounted on horseback, held the reins firmly, not becoming complacent despite his slight initial advantage. He glanced at his opponent's movements, then decisively moved closer to the inside lane.

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.

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 on the third and fourth bends, was no longer a match for them.

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.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)