Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 265 New York Morning

After waking up and taking off the eye mask, I saw that the ceiling was off-white.

The feeling of being in a foreign country became intense at that moment.

"It's about time to go eat!"

Hearing Zep's voice, I turned my head to look at the computer desk.

Turning my head, I saw the German staring intently at the screen.

It displays things like hoof model diagrams.

To be honest, I don't quite understand it.

"Could it be that you didn't sleep at all last night?"

"Anyway, I don't have to do tasks during the day like you guys, and before I know it, it's dawn."

"Won't this completely mess up your sleep schedule?"

"I'm just adjusting to the time difference before going back home—"

Isn't that a bit too early?

I swiped my phone screen to confirm; the time was 4 a.m.

We departed for Beamont Garden at 5:30 a.m., and the hotel breakfast was served from 5:00 a.m.

"There's nowhere to eat right now."

"Then let's embark on an adventure before breakfast!"

Zep closed his personal computer and stretched vigorously.

A very loud "crackling" sound.

"I'll skip the part about me."

So the German set off on his hotel adventure, while Kitano leisurely brushed his teeth and washed his face after seeing him off.

I walked out of the bathroom, unplugged the charging cable, and put my phone in my pocket.

There's still some time before breakfast.

I found the gym by following the signs on the wall.

Although it's called a gym, it's really just an empty room with exercise equipment like treadmills and stationary bikes.

Of course, this level is more than enough for a novice like Kitano.

While leisurely pedaling the stationary bike, he took his phone out of his pocket.

During last night's conversation, the trainer repeatedly mentioned his concerns about the track.

Unlike on turf, the difference between stallions and mares in dirt racing can almost be described as two completely different sports.

To date, only one mares have won the Breeders' Cup Classic: Sindhartha in 2009.

Moreover, that year the track used was the Santa Anita track, which was more suited to all-weather rubber sand.

The dirt track at this year's event, Bellamy's Park, was quite challenging even for stallions with a dirt track pedigree.

but--

"It's a race that can be continued."

Of course, this wasn't the only piece of advice from the [Advisory Group].

The 2000-meter dirt track at Beamont starts from a bend, which places extremely demanding requirements on the endurance and strength of the runners.

This year's Breeders' Cup Classic might turn into a situation uncommon in American dirt racing, where the winner is decided by the last step in the second half of the race.

On the other hand, despite being the largest and widest track in the United States, the final straight at Bellmont Park is only 330 meters long.

From a win-loss perspective, the seemingly safe strategy of staying behind to run is actually more risky.

"For the runaway mares, taking a better position in the front of the Bellmont Garden will be more advantageous."

—Advice from Meixiang Consultant.

The newly developed Bellmont Stadium requires a strategy that is the exact opposite of what is used in other stadiums in the United States.

I kept looking at the consultants' preview analysis of the Breeders' Cup Classic, and before I knew it, it was past five o'clock.

The restaurant was on the first floor, which we passed by last night, so we weren't going to get lost.

I planned to have a light breakfast, so I mainly ate toast and controlled the portion size.

Holding a tray, I looked around the restaurant, and Zep's burly figure was the first thing that caught my eye.

Next to her was the trainer, who also seemed to have been up all night. Oga Katsu was pouring syrup onto a waffle, while opposite her, the rider, Kim Mi-ki, was sipping juice.

The expedition members gathered together. Instead of engaging in lengthy conversations at the table, everyone quietly quickened their pace of eating.

After breakfast, Zep went back to his room and went to sleep.

After hurriedly changing his clothes, Kitano and the other two took a taxi towards Bemon Garden.

It's about a five-minute drive south from where the hotel is located.

During this time, the horse owner and the rider talked about the day's escape.

The next Good Luck race, which will be held at the Belmont Park Meadows, will be ridden by Kim Mi-ki.

Although the difference between grass and mud is huge, it is still a valuable experience.

Moreover, there are no more famous riders to be found in the Bellmont Garden today.

"That horse is very easy to handle and showed great fighting spirit in its training with Sakuya."

"If we can take advantage of this, we might be able to achieve good results in grass races, which are different from mud."

Kitano readily nodded in response to the female rider's suggestion.

"Ride however you like, even if you're going to try something a little bold."

With slightly less strength but a strong fighting spirit, the next runner with good luck is indeed suited to a more forward running style.

Before we had even exchanged a few words, I felt myself lean forward.

Then I saw today's destination—

Bemon Garden.

After disembarking and heading towards the entrance, the trainers and riders went straight to the track, ready to personally check the complete 2400-meter dirt course of Bellmont Park on foot.

Kitano followed Ogawa Katsumi towards the stables.

When they were still some distance away, a very distinctive, furry head peeked out from the stable.

Sakuya Megumi's face showed the same sleepy look as usual.

For some reason, it gave me a reassuring expression.

Good morning, Sakuya.

Kitano bowed slightly in greeting.

The deer-haired horse gently nuzzled his palm in response.

A nasal "whimpering" sound came from the stable on the other side.

Seeing the pitiful look in Tochiguri Moma's eyes, Kitano and Ogawa Masaru couldn't help but laugh.

"She really loves to act cute."

Almost as soon as I placed my palm on it, the head of the next lucky one came right up to me.

There was absolutely no sign of fatigue from the previous auction game.

According to feedback from the Arashiyama Shi, every time he trains alongside Sakuya, he seems exhausted by the next Good Luck session.

However, by the next morning, he was back to his energetic self.

Thinking back carefully, it seems that the original Katuna was pretty much the same.

The day after the Yashibao Championship, he was full of energy again and started messing with Ogawa Katsu, who was in charge of stables.

Marco from America is really impressive!

Thinking this, I couldn't help but pat Tochigi's head again.

The deer-haired horse next to it twitched its ears, as if to assert its presence, and snorted loudly.

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

"Yue Boren plans to arrange for the winners of the Triumph Arch to compete in the Breeders' Cup Classic."

"The Breeders' Cup is always on her schedule, and of course, turf races and mare classics are also options for us."

——TDN
"【Pay attention to horse movements】

Forever Young (Rusei Sakai) has completed her final spurring in Japan and is scheduled to depart for the United States on October 19 after completing quarantine at the JRA Racing School in Chiba Prefecture.

Yahagi

"His condition is much better than last year and the year before. He has accumulated enough experience as he gets older."

Hopefully, this will be the autumn that ends our sorrowful hopes.

——《n○tkeiba》

(End of this chapter)