Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 373 Hooves and Celebration

The second day after arriving in the United States.

Just staying in the hotel, you can feel the festive atmosphere.

Looking down from the hotel corridor window, you can see many people crossing the parking lot and turning into the sidewalk, like ants entering a nest, being swallowed up by the stands one by one.

There were so many people, probably because of the entertainment complex inside the racetrack.

It seems that the number of non-Horse fans visiting the site increases during holidays or weekends.

Stepping out of the hotel, I was greeted by a bright, sunny day, a stark contrast to the view from Japan on the other side of the Pacific.

Cloudless.

The flags of all nations displayed in the racetrack swayed in the still-slightly cool breeze remnants of summer.

Logically speaking, there is still a long time before the start of the race, but a few horse racing fans have already gathered in the free viewing area near the railing.

"Tonight is Dorsey's!"

The fan, who was scrolling through his phone just a second ago, suddenly shouted and pointed his beer can in the direction of the hotel.

I was slightly startled.

"How about we drink to him? I bet that kid is even better than Brooks."

His accomplice, wearing a baseball cap, immediately grinned and unscrewed the cap on his beer bottle first.

"Come on, Cliff is just a dwarf version of the 'Men in Black,' he'll never be a real country singer."

The horse racing fan who said this was quickly surrounded and attacked by his two companions, but soon the three of them raised their beers together again.

Similar scenes played out more than once as I walked through the square parade ground toward the stables.

Although I dislike crowds and noise, I don't really mind this kind of festive atmosphere.

The leisurely atmosphere outside was abruptly interrupted, replaced by a familiar busyness.

The trainer and the stable boy in his vest either trotted past each other or leaned against the wall, talking rapidly into their phones.

"Has the X-ray result come back yet?"

"I need accurate track information right now!"

Walking down the corridor, we finally found Reed in front of the target stable.

The trainer was on the phone, his phone tucked between his shoulder and ear, while his hands were constantly flipping through paper documents on a notepad.

"Yes, we'll let it go back to the ranch to rest for a week after this match."

Noticing the gaze directed at him, Reed gestured with his eyes to wait a moment, and then spoke again into the microphone.

"The next match is in two weeks, and if things go smoothly, you can get a prize of about six thousand dollars."

After hanging up the phone, the trainer stuck his tongue out at the screen like a child playing a prank.

Then, she turned around and gave him a look that said, "Is there something you need now?"

"I'm here to see if I'll have good luck next time."

After giving this answer, Reed seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and pointed to a stable behind him.

"It has been in good condition since it came to the stable here, and its performance during training just now was also excellent."

As he said this, the trainer swiped his phone screen to make another call.

"Also—your pony just ran off to visit the stables across from Next Lucky!"

"Thanks."

After nodding, the horse trainer walked toward the designated stable.

Sure enough, the next one was standing there, looking quite energetic, its neatly combed chestnut fur gleaming warmly under the light.

He tentatively stretched out his palm through the railing.

The next second—

"Hey, isn't that a bit too forward?"

Although it was a long-awaited reunion, Tochigi quickly brought its head close and rubbed against my palm, making a soft, puppy-like whimpering sound.

Just then, the sound of light, quick footsteps came from the stables across the way. With a reluctant farewell in Deerman's eyes, Lily slipped out through the gap under the stable railing.

I easily slipped past your feet, and the pony nuzzled my heels as if to say hello before entering the stable in front of me.

The large Tochigo horse also lowered its head and pressed its slightly damp nose against Lily's head in a cheek-kissing gesture.

"The two of you have gotten along very well."

I subconsciously uttered a sigh, but of course, I received no verbal response.

The Tochigi horse in front of them was burying its nose deep into Lily's belly, which was covered in soft fur, in a peculiar way, while Lily, the horse in question, chewed on the fresh grass scattered on the bedding with a completely used expression.

Although I was thinking of continuing to watch, I left after observing for a while so as not to disturb the trainers and stable staff.

Perhaps because it was both a high-reward race day and a weekend, there were quite a few horse racing fans gathered at the racecourse from noon onwards.

At 3:30 PM.

Amidst the pervasive scents of burnt grass and malt, I watched as Tochigi horses slowly made their way across the green paths.

One minute and twenty seconds toward the Breeders' Cup.

With tightly pursed lips, Ochiai mounted his horse and, along with his equally serious-looking partner, stepped onto the Kentucky Meadows arena.

“Racing——”

Larry, who was providing commentary on today's movement, had just picked up his binoculars when his mouth involuntarily opened wide the next second.

"A terrible start, Broken Angel. Hurricane Baby on the outside got off to a good start, and next time good luck will be chasing from the inside."

Amidst the uproar in the stands, the once-popular Broken Angels made a fatal mistake from the moment they stepped out of the gate.

Undisturbed, good fortune will next be in the advantageous position vacated by the Broken Angel's delayed appearance, so keep a light and quick pace.

"From the straight line to the curve, the next lucky one will compete for a spot on the inside, while the Hurricane Baby on the outside is also making an attempt, and the popular Broken Angel is still at the back of the group."

As the herd of horses entered the tree-shaded bend, Larry briefly lowered his binoculars to look at the live broadcast screen, and cheers erupted from the free-admission spectator area facing away from the bend.

On the electronic screen directly in front of the stands, Ochiai, who was leading the way, urged his troops forward without hesitation, trying to further widen the lead he had created.

"That's it, hold on until the very end!"

He swung his fist wildly, and Reed's face turned bright red at that moment.

Looking up at the screen, the horse's hooves gripped the grass powerfully, tearing through the wind.

"There's a chance—"

His fists clenched unconsciously.

As the herd of horses turned onto the straightaway, Larry's voice became impassioned.

"Next time, good luck will maintain its lead, Hurricane Baby will be second, and you, the only one, will start your attack from third place!"

The fierce battle between more than five horses vying for a place in the Breeders' Cup engulfed the entire stands in a vortex of cheers.

Only a few steps remained to the finish line, and the gap was being narrowed little by little.

Despite hearing the approaching hooves of horses beside him, Good Luck still gripped the bit and rode straight ahead.

With powerful pushes, Ochiai's eyes behind his goggles seemed to see only the finish line ahead.

In the final moments of the fierce battle, more than six horses crossed the finish line in a manner indistinguishable to the naked eye.

"Broken Angel! She made it up at the last minute, but it was too late! Hurricane Baby has won this year's grand prize of 1.3 million!"

"The Giant Bay Sentinel came in second place; the third place is unlucky this time but lucky next time."

He remained motionless, and the sound of his heartbeat and the dizziness in his head gradually subsided as the results were broadcast.

Regret.

Unable to resist, he pounded his head, while the trainer beside him let out a long, frustrated sigh.

But soon, Reed raised his head again.

"We won at least $100,000—"

As he said this, the trainer's arms wrapped tightly around him.

(End of this chapter)