Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 268 Champion's Trial Grounds

A slightly heavier atmosphere after a light rain.

Four stallions and one mares were recorded, bringing the total number of runners in this year's Woodward Stakes to five.

Megumi Sakuya will start the match from the outermost gate, number five.

That afternoon, including Kimura and Kanna Ogawa who came from Japan, the entire camp took a group photo in front of the statue in the secretariat.

Around 5 p.m.

Although there was still some time before the race officially started, the area under the white pines at Bellemont Park was already packed with waiting horse racing fans.

A significant portion of them are Asian faces from Japan.

Dressed in matching commemorative shirts and caps, they chanted loud and synchronized cheers, transforming the oldest large stadium in the United States into a celebration of national honors.

"MEJIRO——"

An American horse racing fan shouted a newly learned cheering phrase, holding up a towel generously given to him by a foreign guest.

Faced with Meguro Sakuya's unexpected and dominant stance, American horse racing fans and media showed a level of support that surprised even the Japanese.

"Go and become the third one!!!"

Several American horse racing fans with exaggerated costumes displayed this banner in front of the open-air stables.

Prior to this, only two mares had won the Woodward Stakes.

Of these, only the late Harbour of Grace, winner of the 2011 Eclipse, has made it to the Breeders' Cup Classic via the Woodward Stakes.

"lets go."

Arakawa, dressed in a tuxedo embroidered with the weighty reward, was the first to emerge from the stable, followed by Ogawa Katsu, who was holding the reins.

Amidst the continued clamor from the fans, Megumi Sakuya took a steady step forward.

The bows woven from deer and horsehair were replaced with green, the same color as the theme of the Bemon Garden, and the legs were adorned with matching white straps. The back was covered with a green bib with white lettering, just like the vest worn by Oga Katsumi.

Seemingly avoiding puddles formed by the rain, Megumi Sakuya suddenly took light, quick steps.

The sound of camera shutters clicking rapidly from the green space beside the field became intense at that moment.

In the nearby green space, Mo Jinxian, having finished the interview, shook hands with Bei Ye.

"I'm really looking forward to her performance at the Breeders' Cup."

As he put away the recorder, the British journalist offered his best wishes in a friendly manner.

At that moment, a man strode over and interrupted their conversation.

The rider, dressed in a red and green final outfit, first politely greeted Kitano, then raised his chin high.

“My horse will defeat you, just as Prove Out defeated the Secretariat here.”

Very fluent Japanese.

"I am very grateful that you compared Sakuya to the Secretariat."

Kitano wasn't angry at all; he smiled at the other person in a friendly manner.

"but--"

"We will win the game."

The tone was calm, as if stating a fact.

After saying that, he smiled again.

"See you later, rider Du Manlai."

As Mejiro Sakuya officially stepped onto the dirt track of the reviewing stand, the cheers from the horse racing fans grew even louder.

Once on horseback, Jin Meiqi, who was already used to this level of competition, suddenly became nervous.

Even after his partner Meguro Sakuya won the Dubai World Cup, which shocked the world, the doubts did not disappear.

"We should have had a Japanese rider," "Why not invite a rider who is more familiar with the US?"

The controversy intensified after the camp announced its plans for the Breeders' Cup expedition.

If her performance fails to meet everyone's expectations, her life as a rider could be turned upside down, and she could even ruin her future in Japan.

Nevertheless, Kim Mi-ki, who rose from an amateur hurdler in her youth to a world-class rider known throughout Japan and currently enjoying an upward trajectory, was overjoyed to have reserved this once-in-a-lifetime riding opportunity for herself. "Just do your best."

The joint instructions from the horse owner and trainer made Jin Meiqi breathe a slight sigh of relief, although even she didn't think it was a race that was "irrelevant to the outcome" as Kitano had said.

From the moment the plan was set, led by Kitano who completely disregarded the gains and losses, the team had devoted all their efforts to the Breeders' Cup.

At this point, any human error is unacceptable.

For Jin Meiqi, this was a match where a single mistake would result in her being relegated to the next board.

Ultimately, the hardened heart forged in the harsh environment of Sydney's riders quickly restored her composure.

"It's time to go, girl."

The female rider spoke in her usual cheerful tone.

And so, man and horse stepped onto the racetrack.

The time from the starting ring to the starting gate is only fifteen minutes, and there is no grand prize music that Japanese horse racing fans are familiar with.

Nevertheless, the overseas horse racing fans who had traveled from afar still joined the local American horse racing fans in giving them a grand round of applause.

It was 5:45 p.m. Eastern Time.

They are in the gate.

Frank Mirahmadi slowly raised the binoculars in his hand.

As the second track commentator for the Fox Broadcasting era at Bellmont, despite having many memorable moments in his commentary, he was never able to escape the shadow of the great former commentator, Tom Durkin.

"This Breeders' Cup is an opportunity."

he thinks.

"However, let's start with the Woodward Championship in front of us first."

The bell rang and the gates popped open.

“And they’re—”

"In the Woodward Stakes!"

The 74th Woodward Championship, which has been awaited for nearly sixteen years, has begun.

Meguro Sakuya burst through the gate amidst the cheers of her fans.

Of the five horses in the race, only one had ever won a major prize and had a history of running away from home, in addition to being extremely popular.

Faced with Deer Horse's aggressive lead, rivals, including the second-ranked player, all chose to give way, unwilling to exert themselves too early on the long straight.

Except for the one from the innermost end—

"A good start. Megumi Sakuya is pushing forward aggressively on the outside. Colonel Dixie doesn't rush to follow. Ewing, the point guard, is trying to catch up on the inside. The riders are increasing their urging."

Frank briefly removed the binoculars from his eyes, his gaze now filled with the same astonishment as the horse racing fans.

Has Du Manlai gone mad?

Despite being popular as the third-place finisher, the best result previously achieved by a horse ridden by a jockey who has been based in the United States was a dirt sprint listed race.

This was his first attempt at extending the range.

Although he has registered for the same schedule from the Woodward Stakes to the Breeders' Cup Classic, apart from the owner, trainer and jockey, probably no one would be optimistic enough to think that Ewing is a worthy opponent to Mejiro Sakuya.

Despite the aggressive advance of a less popular opponent, Kim Miki, riding on Meguro Sakuya's saddle, did not lose her composure.

Not having a full gate means it's easier to field players.

The camp anticipated that some horses might participate in the race with a "go all in" mentality.

Whether it's someone who can't manage their stamina properly for the 9-Front stretch or someone who tries to take the lead and create an upset, it's actually difficult for them to cause any real disruption in a race with few runners and a long straight ahead.

Maintaining your own rhythm is key.

To lift the flowers of Beamont Garden, in addition to the physical strength to conquer the thick mud, both man and horse need self-discipline.

Hidden in its long history, another name for Bemon Garden is—

"Champion's Trial Grounds"

(End of this chapter)