Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 157 Escape Song on a Rainy Night

On the night of September 21, the greenery of Central Seaside Park was washed brightly by the rain.

The streets blocked by the rain rustled.

On the other side of the canal, colorful lights are gradually dyeing the sky.

At the top of the L-WING stand, the light show for the Grand Prize Day was lit up on time.

But at the reviewing ground, it was a completely different scene.

There were few people in the humid air.

The umbrellas are spaced farther apart than usual.

"Sorry, please keep your voice down."

Sasakawa shouted to the crowd behind the railing.

Perhaps because the local horse fans were somewhat familiar with Atalanta's temperament, the discussion soon became quieter.

——Of course, there may be other reasons.

Atalanta is extremely sensitive to sound, and almost all sound sources other than those to which she has been desensitized can frighten her.

Even as the main rider, Sasagawa took a long time to get her to accept the feeling of being ridden and given orders.

If you receive too much unnecessary interference in the performance circle, it may affect your condition.

Atalanta is exactly like that, a racehorse that will be a bit troublesome.

If you want her to be in relatively good condition for the race, you have to take more care of her than you would with an ordinary racehorse.

However, it seems that this has caused a lot of trouble for President Kitano.

Sasakawa silently apologized to the figure wearing a raincoat and bowing continuously behind the railing.

"I'm sure you'll be burned."

Okizawa, the stable attendant holding the leash in front, turned around and reminded him.

“There’s nothing we can do about it.”

In response to this, Sasakawa could only smile bitterly.

As the main combat rider, you still have to shoulder certain responsibilities.

"Besides, sometimes the 'heel' comes along and wins the game."

However, even Sasakawa himself did not have much confidence in this.

Although he had won the Golden Youth Race Walk before, that was before it was upgraded to a major prize.

After that, every time it seemed like it was just a little bit short of the mark.

Although I don't feel fear, I can't help but have some strange thoughts before the game.

In addition, the only vague instructions she received from the trainer before the race were "please try to hold her."

Although the horse owner has placed a lot of trust in me, from a realistic point of view, I can only run an improvisational race.

The field was soaked into mud by the continuous rain, and it became difficult to walk both inside and outside.

Trying to win by escaping and cutting in such a venue is undoubtedly a big challenge for horse racing.

In comparison, the anger from horse fans may not be a problem.

Entering the Juban Gate near the outside of the twelve horses running out, Sasakawa unconsciously clenched the reins with his fingertips, which were cold from the rain.

On the other side, Majima kept looking towards the gate, with his upper body almost sticking out of the track.

"You're too nervous, Majima—"

Several trainers, wearing only summer shirts, let out a cheerful laugh.

"Hey, hey, how can you guys who have already received a large reward understand my feelings?"

Majima, who was still dressed in a suit and tie in the rain, protested with some dissatisfaction.

The off-tune sound of the trombone exploded in his ears, and he almost lost his balance and fell over the railing.

The trainer beside him immediately stopped smiling and reached out to grab his collar in time.

"TCK Tokyo City Horse Racing, today's eleventh race."

A live broadcast came over the loudspeaker. At almost the same time, a monorail train emerged from the viaduct and sped across the rainy night.

"Big prize, Tokyo Monorail Prize, JBC Two-Year-Old Horse Designated Race Walk, 7th Golden Youth Race Walk."

The train pulled into the station, and the noise that came to his ears made Majima's heart, which had just been relieved, hang in the air again.

"There are twelve runners in this year's 1,400-meter medley race for two-year-olds."

The red light came on, and the crisp sound of the gate popping open was quickly drowned out by all the noise.

Mejiro Atalanta raised his head high and rushed out of the gate first with an uncoordinated running posture.

Sasakawa struggled to control the reins until the end of the pseudo-starting straight line, and finally managed to calm the panicked Atalanta.

He did not immediately stick to the inner lane, which had similar track conditions, but only carefully pulled the reins sideways after gaining a certain advantage on the outer route.

The trainer's pre-race instructions were completely forgotten.

If Atalanta was forced to run among the herd, the already extremely nervous chestnut horse might cause trouble.

however--

The game turned into a chaotic fight on the opposite straight line.

Behind Mejiro Atalanta, who was in the lead, six racehorses followed closely in a tight formation.

The hope of taking a break in the straight line was dashed.

The overly slippery field and the opponent approaching from behind made the chestnut horse's steps a little messy.

The wet horsehair stuck to the neck, shaking up and down with each step.

"We can't go on like this."

Sweat mixed with rain slid down his face, and Sasakawa quickly made a decision.

The rhythm must be regained.

He gripped the reins tightly and raised the whip in his hand.

It was a loud explosion that cut through the rain curtain.

The chestnut-haired creature's petite body bounced up with all its might, and with its head held high, it galloped into the night.

Turning the corner, the pace did not slow down, as if chasing a shadow.

He never looked back, and never paid attention to the pursuers behind him, as if he wanted to leave the raindrops behind him.

Amidst the enthusiastic cheers from the audience, Kitano and Majima sighed almost at the same time.

Entering the final straight line, the originally slow pace became brisk.

The chasing opponent has fallen far behind.

"Mejiro Atalanta of Juban! The chestnut-haired fugitive who crosses the rain!"

The hoarse sound of the live broadcast cut through the night sky.

At the Kuchidori ceremony after the match, Majima looked at the commemorative plaque behind him that rewarded him with the first victory but he couldn't feel happy at all.

"I'm sorry, President."

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

"I immediately saw Atalanta.

In the opening match of the Future Excellent Horse Series, the 7th JBC Designated Race Walk, held at Oi Racecourse today, rider Sasagawa Tsubasa (Oi) rode the popular fifth-placed Mejiro Atalanta (female No. 2 Oi Majima Daisuke stable) to victory by escaping.

Majima Daisuke: "We will consider whether to participate in the Heseker Memorial depending on the condition of the horses at that time."

- National Association of Racing (NAR) Formula

"【Pay attention to horse movements】

Mr. Kaiser (Ma3 Ritto Yahagi stable) has set the Tokyo Grand Prix as his year-end goal.

"This was a joint decision between the stable and the owner. We both agreed that he was suitable for this race."

——《n○tkaiba》

The Golden Age has been reposted
Fenian Cycle 2025
2/1
Father Golden Ship
Mother and Father Dragon King
Good progress
Kitano said, "He will show his strength in the short distance race."

——(Same as) MEJIRO Shoji Formula
(End of this chapter)