Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 264 Belmont Rhapsody

In early October, the leaves in Central Park were just beginning to show signs of autumn.

Two days before the Woodward Championship, Kitano returned to American soil after a two-week absence.

Having learned from the previous experience, they chose John F. Kennedy International Airport as their landing site.

As the plane was about to land, a light, cold rain was falling in the metropolis.

Although it hasn't reached the level of a violent storm, the wind is quite strong.

During the landing taxiing process, the water droplets running on the glass window move in the opposite direction.

Unsurprisingly, the helicopter transfer promised by the New York Jockey Club was canceled due to weather conditions.

Because of feedback from riders Huangshan and Jin Meiqi not long ago that "public transportation in New York is troublesome," I hesitated for a moment but still opened the car rental app.

I didn't have to wait long outside the airport before the Mexican driver who had received the order came speeding over.

The destination was a two-star hotel ten miles away.

It's located just two miles from Bellemont and features meeting rooms, fax machines, printers, and a gym.

Although the Breeders' Cup is still almost a month away, hotels and guesthouses near Bellamy's Park are already fully booked.

I was able to stay here thanks to Jasper's help.

We arrived at the hotel amidst the driver's incessant Spanish chatter. Under the green awning at the entrance, the barren mountain had been waiting for us for quite some time.

Last week, after her quarantine was officially lifted, Megumi Sakuya conducted her first practice session on the dirt track at Bemoen.

Needless to say, her partner on the saddle was none other than Jin Meiqi, who was the main rider.

"Thank you for your hard work."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two walked into the hotel and began to talk about the expedition.

Because the New York City Jockey Club has focused on improving its turf invitational racing system and actively recruiting European and Japanese racehorses to participate in recent years, the treatment of the team has improved significantly compared to when they were in Kentucky.

Nevertheless, overseas shipments targeting the East Coast have encountered numerous difficulties.

Due to the weather, the transport flight took a longer than expected, 13 hours, before finally arriving in New York.

Fortunately, sufficient preparations had been made beforehand, and the arrangements for the reception went relatively smoothly.

Sakuya's recovery was as reassuring as ever. With the active cooperation of the stables, she recovered to a state of ease in just a few days.

However, the trial run at Bellmont Park raised the suspicions of both the trainer and the rider.

"The feedback from the riders is that the situation is more difficult than in Japan and the Meydan Sands in Dubai."

The worry on Huang Shan's face was fleeting.

Even in the United States, which is known for its dirt track racing, the Saratoga and Beamont tracks in New York State are famous for their thick sand layers used for track maintenance.

This means that, in addition to speed, the requirements for strength and endurance are far higher than those for ordinary mud track events.

"How is Sakuya doing?"

Kitano nodded first, then asked a question.

"not bad."

The trainer's tense expression eased slightly, though it quickly became serious again.

"The climate here is a bit unexpected, but because we had prepared for the cold beforehand, it's not a big problem."

While checking in at the front desk, I took out my passport and booking confirmation from my travel bag and continued to listen to the trainer's words.

"In terms of weight, he is about five kilograms less than before departure. The stables plan is to try to gain or lose about two or three kilograms before the Breeders' Cup."

At the beginning, we did encounter many problems in a training environment that was completely different from that in Japan.

but--

Both Sakuya herself and the staff of the stable quickly adapted to the Bemon Garden.

We can start working towards our real goal now.

"So your weight when you left must have been 510 kilograms." Kitano frowned slightly as he took back the passport and receipts.

“That’s right, a slight increase in weight is necessary to cope with the track at Bellmont Park.”

"I see—so what are the plans for tomorrow?"

Kitano nodded in agreement with the trainer's assessment.

"In the morning, Jin and I will first go to the site to check the condition of the track, and then take Sakuya on a complete walk from the parade ground. The main goal is to familiarize her with the gates of the Bellon Garden."

Huang Shan slid the tablet off his hand and continued, "Regarding horseshoes, Mr. Joseph, who arrived early, has already made adjustments to the site of Bemon Garden and developed four horseshoe formulas, ranging from good for sunny days to bad for rainy days."

"Thank you for your hard work."

"As for the stables, next time Good Luck and Lily have a high compatibility with Sakuya, and it's thanks to their help that we were able to adjust in such a short time."

Lily was a pony that Barren Mountain bought through a local horse racing agent after arriving in New York.

"I've seen the child's picture, he's very cute."

Despite receiving unanimous praise from the camp, a specially trained Lead Pony bred specifically for breeding purposes is not cheap at all.

Including taxes, the expenses are approximately six thousand US dollars.

The two walked side by side toward the stairwell.

What about the media?

As he walked up the stairs, Huangshan put away his tablet and asked.

Prior to this, in order to allow Megumi Sakuya to train in peace without external interference, the camp refused any media interviews.

"Let's open it to the media tomorrow."

Simply avoiding the media will only breed unnecessary suspicion from the outside world.

"However, it's best to minimize unnecessary disruptions after the Woodward Stakes and before the Breeders' Cup."

"Understood. The stables will notify the outside world accordingly."

I walked quickly through the corridor and stopped in front of the room near the corner.

Besides Megumi Sakuya's pre-match scouting, Next Good Luck will also be having a match at Bemon Garden tomorrow.

The mile race, recommended by Kitano to trainer Reid, had six horses participating.

The prize money for the winner is exactly six thousand US dollars.

As they opened the door, the horse owner and the trainer said their goodbyes.

"Good night."

"Good night."

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"【Pay attention to horse movements】

Kin Kira (3-year-old male, from the stables of Takashi Saito, father of Goldmaster, mother of War Crest), who previously ran the Japan Dirt Classic, may be aiming for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Coach Takashi Saito said, "He performs well on dirt, but considering the influence of his sire, we are also considering the Breeders' Cup Turf Race as an alternative."

——《n○tkeiba》

"【Appreciation at the Arc de Triomphe】"

Taketoyo, the famous general Fantian (Kuri, Iida Stable, Matsumoto Yoshitaka) 14 works
This year is also a year of lamentations for the "European Wall".

——"Nikkan GENDAI·Horse Racing"

"【2027 Trainer Licensing Trial】"

One result announcement

内田博幸
Wada Ryuji”

—JRA Formula
(End of this chapter)