Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 272 Cocoa Powder and Cinnamon
October 29th, the first day of the Breeders' Cup series.

The clouds I looked up at were very thick, and they had started to turn overcast before dawn.

The cool breeze that brushed against my skin seemed to carry a hint of dampness.

There's a smell of rain.

The starting positions for the Breeders' Cup Classic were drawn three days ago, with Mejiro Sakuya and fellow Japanese horse, Seishun Eiju, starting from adjacent gates number six and seven.

Although there were thoughts like "it would be better if we could draw a gate position further out," the team was generally satisfied with the result.

—It was a huge help that I didn't have to go on stage to draw lots myself.

Noon before the start of the first day of competition.

At a small café called "Stella's Coffee Shop" near Bemon Garden, a few people from Japan held an informal meeting.

Yahagi and Arashi, both wearing burgundy turtlenecks, stood at the door smoking, while Kitano, dressed like a New Yorker from Midtown Manhattan, chatted leisurely with a few other horse owners by the window.

"Haha, I hope I can make a basket in tomorrow's game."

The bear-pig said this with a relaxed expression.

Fujita, sitting opposite him, smiled and then began with, "That's too modest of you."

Avoiding the fiercely competitive Breeders' Cup Classic, and on the trainer's advice, Inokuma registered Piggy Baru for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

In Inokuma's own words, it was a match that "at least I could imagine how to win."

"Speaking of Kitano-kun, he's been incredibly active on both mud and grass this year."

As Fujita spoke, he picked up his coffee.

"Exactly, I wish I had half of Kitano-kun's luck with horses."

As he spoke, Pig Bear picked up the condiment bottle containing honey and poured a thick layer of it over the waffle.

"I've always been in a state of building a nest in my heart."

Kitano smiled and shook his head in response.

I poked the melting ice cream with a straw, and the cocoa powder or something similar sprinkled on top melted into my coffee.

Let's put our worries aside for now.

Pig and Bear raised their hands half-jokingly.

Although that's what they say, the different predicaments facing each horse owner won't simply disappear because of a single sentence.

The same applies to Kitano, who was jokingly referred to as "Kon's talent scout" by Fujita.

Although there is only one thing that can be considered a troublesome matter at present.

It's not the game tomorrow.

Will Noda Riki, the winner of the Chrysanthemum Prize, likely stay with Arima Commemorative, or will he opt for the Hong Kong Bottle, which seems a bit risky?

There is still no clue about Atalanta's next objective.

However, preparations for the expedition have already begun.

The tentatively chosen accompanying horse is Pegasus.

At the last faction meeting, the idea that "Pegasus might be a grassland horse" was mostly a joke.

Since we have the opportunity, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

With this in mind, he tried to convey his idea to Tanaka, who was in charge of Pegasus.

As a result, the other party readily agreed to the request for a joint expedition.

Although I was asked things like "Should we try using riders from the Central or overseas regions?", I ultimately entrusted the final request to Ochiai, the main rider.

Hong Kong International Race Walking uses a selection committee system, rather than directly selecting racers based on the prize money they receive.

In other words, even when the gate is not fully open, there is still a certain probability of failing to log in.

Although trainers Tanaka and Majima both said things like "it's unnecessary," they still registered Pegasus for all four races of the Hong Kong International Race Walking Day just to be on the safe side.

The first event I chose to leave was the Hong Kong Bottle, which was the same event as Atalanta, on Tanaka's advice.

Although the expedition was just beginning, at the first planning meeting, Tanaka had already started explaining his theory of "Pacemaker" and "Pacebreaker" to Mashima.

Although Kitano believed that such tactics would likely be ineffective on tracks with simpler variations, he gently stirred it with a straw and then sipped his ice cream coffee.

"so--"

He paused abruptly at this point.

So it wasn't cocoa powder after all.

He quietly moved the cinnamon coffee aside before continuing, "President Fujita, wouldn't you like to go to Keenland together in a few days?"

"Haha, I won't say anything about myself."

Fujita smiled and shook his head.

"He was already too obsessed with horse racing. If he buys breeding mares, he might not be able to resist opening a ranch next."

"Then I'll come to Fujita-kun's place to buy horses from now on."

Swallowing the waffle in his mouth, Pig Bear chuckled and took over the conversation.

"Compared to this, Kitano-kun's place is closer, isn't it?"

"That makes sense. How about selling me the kid from next year's dazzling event?"

"After all, it's the ranch's first child, so I'd rather keep it with me for now."

"Did you hear that? This is a top-quality horse that's not for sale!"

After chatting and finishing their lunch, the people from different factions got up and headed towards Beimeng Garden.

The Breeders' Cup Day 1 consists of five dirt and turf races limited to two-year-olds.

Of course, these matches, at least for now, don't have much to do with Kitano.

Earlier today, Sakuya conducted her final acclimatization training session at the main track of Bemonen.

Despite being a public training session watched by an audience, it still received quite positive feedback.

In the words of Master Huangshan, it's about the level where he can "approach the state of mind required to compete".

"It's time to go."

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted. Kitano picked up a Panama hat that matched the color of his Oxford shirt and stood up.

After a slight hesitation, I gritted my teeth and finished the rest of the coffee in the cup.

As we approached the Bellemont Garden, the lingering cinnamon flavor finally began to fade from my mouth.

Then a cacophony of various instruments and voices immediately flooded my ears.

In terms of crowds, the racecourse on reward days seems no different.

If there's any subtle difference, it's that American fans seem more "relaxed."

It felt like strolling through a park.

However, this is just one person's opinion from a foreigner who has not studied the matter in depth.

After passing through the crowded green space and backyard, we arrived at the relatively spacious international stables.

Old Yokoyama, dressed in a leather jacket, was chatting with several training assistants when he saw Kitano and greeted him very warmly.

"Good luck tomorrow, Yuki-kun."

"You are the same today, Mr. Yokoyama."

Their fists lightly touched in mid-air.

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"[@nar_keiba：

The Breeders' Cup Classic at Belmont Park Racecourse in the United States will be held on the afternoon of the 30th.

Mejiro Sakuya, from the local Oi Racecourse, will start from gate number six.

发走予定时间为日本的31日6：41（当地时间30日14：41），大井竞马场将同步转播该场比赛，请大家多多支持目白咲夜号！】”

- National Association of Racing (NAR) Formula

(End of this chapter)