Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 274 Belmont Gem
Tomorrow is Halloween, a day to celebrate saints.

Today is Halloween, the eve of the holiday.

Under the watchful gaze of the Hessack statue, the Ooi Racecourse, just after dawn, welcomed a group of horse racing fans who were not there for race day.

"hurry up!"

"What's the rush? There won't be many people anyway."

"That's not right! The reservation numbers are already over 6,000!"

It was even more lively than a typical day with big rewards, attracting even horse racing fans who don't usually go to the racetrack to watch the races.

The morning sun slants down through the clouds, bathing the white sandy ground in its golden light.

Facing an empty track, NAR's live commentator, Yusuke Izumi, began broadcasting the race.

"In 2027, at the Breeders' Cup Classic in Bellamy's Park, the Japanese horses that came out of the race were Mejiro Sakuya from the local Oi region and Youthful Eternal from the central region."

The whispers gradually faded away, and the tension characteristic of international competition days silently spread through the stands.

"The Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, the highest level of dirt racing, is a Group 1 international race. This is the fifth race at Bellmont, a 2,000-meter dirt course. This year, twelve horses have left the race."

Amidst sporadic applause, Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic, sounded the Metropolitan Horn after a hiatus of twenty-two years on the other side of the screen.

In an instant, the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, and the sunlight pouring down through the humid air felt like the height of summer.

At the Oi Racecourse, the horse racing fans who were originally clapping along with the trombones suddenly became restless.

"Oh dear, it would be terrible if the rain stopped!"

"There shouldn't be enough time to drain the water in such a short period of time."

Discussing arose in the stands, and fans on both sides of the ocean unanimously turned their attention to the podium.

Other horses that fled the area reacted to the change in weather to varying degrees.

Only that familiar figure with deer fur remained calmly following behind the guide horse, his expression seemingly saying something like, "Huh? It hasn't started yet?"

"Haha, I have a feeling this girl is the one who's seducing the horse."

On the saddle of the horse with the saddle hairpin, the rider wearing the purple jacket of the breeder's cup couldn't help but turn around and say something.

The female rider's fingertips trembled slightly as she gripped the reins, then stroked the rain-soaked mane.

"She really is a good girl."

From the commentary booth, Frank had already set his sights on the racetrack.

"The Breeders' Cup celebration at Bellmont Park, which is 22 years after 2005, is now a full house with all 7,500 seats in the stands. The attendance is 59,000, the third highest ever recorded at Bellmont Park!"

Thunderous applause erupted from the stands and along the railings as elegantly dressed men and women raised their Belmont Gem cocktails in greeting.

"Today we have Eclipse Prize mare Anna Shinwei and Kentucky Derby mare Sakuya Meshiro. Representing New York in this race is Ewing Point Guard, who finished second in the Woodward Stakes. And Young Forever, who has performed consistently in previous Breeders' Cup Classics, will be representing Japan."

After a slight pause, Frank continued—

"Yue Boren will send his Arc de Triomphe mare, Joyful Time, to compete in this race. Let's see if she can achieve what Giants Causeway failed to do today."

A damp, cool autumn breeze caressed my face, and the sky overhead had completely cleared up.

This scenery made the deer hair and the horse's silky black mane shine even brighter.

As the blue gate slowly approached in my sight, the tension instantly transformed into the excitement of about to enter the game.

Jin Meiqi gently stroked Meguro Sakuya's head with her palm, and the man and horse officially embarked on their journey in the Breeders' Cup.

Let's jump over together.

Sakuya Meguro twitched her ears as if in response.

"Okay, let's do it that way—"

As I walked up to the stands prepared for those in the relationship, I felt the vibrations coming from the back of the chair almost as soon as I sat down.

In Monbetsu, in Oi, and in other places where horses race—the same paradoxical phenomenon unique to race days.

Reporters from Fox News and Japan gathered around at that moment.

After crossing the desolate mountain where the seats were located on the outside, Kuwabara of Nikkan Sport first raised a question to Kitano.

"As the top favorite in this match, what do you think will happen in two minutes?"

"I don't like to speculate about things that haven't happened yet."

The slow, clear words came out and then returned to my ears almost simultaneously.

My mood miraculously returned to calm.

In addition-

Pre-match boasting is not in line with the team's usual style.

“In this race, Meshiro Sakuya will be carrying two pounds less weight than a stallion over three years old. How much of an advantage do you think this will give her?”

"Please forgive me, but I know nothing about the specific competition."

Kitano shrugged without changing his expression.

Although, this is a rare truth.

The specific effects of carrying heavy loads are still not fully understood to this day.

Ultimately, the stronger horse has a better chance of winning the race.

This answer caused a burst of laughter among the reporters and those involved in the camp, and even Fujita and Yahagi, who were sitting nearby, couldn't help but smile.

Kitano's gaze had already turned towards the gate—

Even so, from the stands, the billboards erected in front of the railings blocked most of the view.

So, I had no choice but to turn my attention to the electronic screen next to me.

With the help of two stable boys wearing green vests, the last runaway horse disappeared through the gate.

It was the pink final outfit that left a deep impression.

"The 44th Breeders' Cup Classic, Joyful Times, has entered the gates."

"They're in the gate and ready for the start."

Frank's voice trembled slightly at the end of the broadcast.

"And—they're off!"

The moment the bell rang, the elegantly dressed horse racing fans raised their cocktails and cheered loudly, completely unconcerned about the spilled drinks.

The gate will pop open in the next second—

Despite being a baseless premonition, my body reacted instinctively.

"The horses are all out of the gate. Meguro Sakuya has a good start and is moving from the middle of the track to the inside. Eternal Youth has also moved up from the outside and launched an attack from the start. Arc de Triomphe's filly Joyful Time has a conservative start from the outside."

The vibrations transmitted through the back of the chair became even more intense at that moment, and Kitano, who was carefully discerning the live track commentary amidst the noise, frowned slightly.

"That's one of your tactics too, Yahagi-shi."

Thinking this, I looked up at the horse trainer not far away.

Clutching the bowler hat that he had somehow taken off tightly in his hand, Yahagi's face was filled with an almost tragic determination.

We must win!

At that moment, the same cry echoed in their hearts.

(End of this chapter)