Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 78 The Road to Kentucky

On the winter solstice before Christmas, Kitano came to Tokyo after a short absence.

It all started when I received a call from Master Huangshan.

"Regarding Mejiro Sakuya, there is something very important that needs to be discussed in person."

It has a somewhat serious tone.

When I received such a call, I couldn't help but be shocked.

Fortunately, after further questioning, nothing bad happened.

According to Master Arashiyama, Mejiro Sakuya completed her entry into the stable very smoothly.

What needs to be discussed is the choice of route.

"Is this really necessary?"

At that time, such doubts arose in Kitano's mind.

As early as the meeting before entering the stable, he thought that the discussion about the route was over.

However, I still booked a flight to Tokyo.

The Keikyu Line from the airport to Shinagawa is not too crowded for holidays.

Breaking through the cold wind, the tram roared past on the viaduct.

When I was transferring at Shinagawa Station, the station had already been decorated in a Christmas style.

However, most of the passers-by still looked hurried.

Following the direction of the crowd, Kitano took the next train.

After two transfers, I finally got off at Kobayashi Station in Chiba.

Then there is about two kilometers to go.

It takes less than ten minutes to get from the airport to Oi Racecourse.

But if we change the destination to Kobayashi Ranch, it will take more than two hours.

No wonder Ooi gives Kobayashi's horse owners higher rewards for leaving and winning.

It is indeed a very inconvenient place.

It was two and a half hours after getting off the plane when we arrived at the meeting place, Chaya.

In front of the faded nora curtains, the uneasy sound of leather shoes tapping on the wooden floor could be heard.

With his hands clasped in front of him, Huangshan subconsciously shook his body slightly.

On his left and right were Yokoyama and Aoyagi, two stable boys with equally nervous expressions.

"Master Huangshan, if it really doesn't work, forget it."

Before Kitano arrived, the two of them whispered to persuade Huangshan.

Even within the stables, there were many people who questioned the crazy idea of ​​the barren mountain.

But Huangshan seemed to be possessed by a demon and would not listen to any opinions.

"That will definitely anger the owner of the Kitano horse."

Qingliu sighed helplessly.

There was still an unmoved expression on Huangshan's face.

At the entrance of the path leading to the teahouse, a taxi slowly stopped and a young figure walked out of it.

"Mr. Kitano!"

The fingertips clasped in front of him tightened slightly, and Huangshan bowed in a somewhat comical manner like a real estate salesman.

The stable boys on both sides also bent down after realizing what was happening.

Kitano was startled by this somewhat grand scene.

Before he could speak, Huangshan's strong arms tightly grasped his palms.

"These two are Yokoyama and Aoyagi. If nothing unexpected happens, they'll be the stable boys in charge of Sakuya from now on."

The wrinkles on Huangshan's face were almost squeezed together as he enthusiastically introduced the two people beside him.

A look of surprise flashed across Yokoyama and Aoyagi's faces.

However, he still cooperated with Huangshan and carried the confused Kitano into the private room.

"Hey, I never said I was going overseas, did I?"

Yokoyama blinked and tilted his head to give this look.

"me too."

Qingliu nodded, then shrugged with a helpless expression.

"Master Huangshan has indeed gone mad." This was the consensus reached by the two.

"Please try the appetizer first."

Taking the mizuyokan from the waiter, Huangshan placed it in front of Kitano.

The trainer had a flattering smile on his face.

"Oh, thank you."

Kitano took the mizuyokan and nodded slightly in thanks.

There was a subtle expression on his face.

The dishes that were served afterwards were also exquisitely presented.

"It seems like this is an occasion where you need help from someone."

Kitano thought so.

It might become a little troublesome to unfold.

After realizing this, the atmosphere of the party seemed to become even weirder.

However, it was still carried out smoothly.

"Um, Mr. Kitano, have you ever heard of the Kentucky Trail?"

When he put down his wine glass for the third time, Huangshan finally got to the point.

"The Kentucky Road?"

Kitano frowned slightly.

He naturally wouldn't think that Master Huangshan called him from Hokkaido to Chiba to discuss something like fried chicken.

In fact, I had heard this name during a casual chat with Ogawa Jō in the past.

"The highest achievement as a breeder is to produce a horse that wins the Kentucky Derby."

At that time, the drunk Xuhe Zhang kept muttering about this competition.

The Kentucky Derby is considered the pinnacle of three-year-old dirt racing and is a highly influential sporting event throughout the United States, even outside the horse racing community.

Because the winning horse is draped with a wreath of roses, the event is also known as the Run for the Roses.

The Kentucky Road is divided into the Derby Road and the Oaks Road, which lead to the top dirt track events of the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, two classic horse races.

As horse racing becomes more globalized, overseas racehorses also have the potential to leave the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.

Depending on the region, the points race to Kentucky is divided into three options: Road to America, Road to Japan, and Road to Europe and the Middle East.

The points for each series of points races are calculated separately, so there is no possibility of gaining points by participating in points races in other regions.

As of now, Mejiro Sakuya’s score on Road to Japan is 10 points.

This is the runner-up points for the All Japan 2-year-old Excellent Horse.

Since he has already gained points in the Road to Kentucky, it is not surprising that Master Huangshan would have such an idea.

"It should be the Japan Road, right?"

Kitano swallowed the sea urchin in the bowl in one gulp and frowned slightly.

The taste is a bit bitter, and it is indeed the horse dung sea urchin at this time.

"It seems Mr. Kitano also knows about the Kentucky Road."

Huangshan picked up his handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his face.

Although it was already a cold season, my body felt as if something was burning.

"As for the goal, is it the Derby or the Oaks?"

Unlike the others, Kitano did not show an impatient look of ridicule or doubt from the beginning, and asked seriously.

As a newcomer to the horse racing world, I don’t have anything that can be called a filter or sentimentality when it comes to races like the Kentucky Derby.

There is neither the stubborn idea of ​​"I must get it" nor the feeling of retreating because it is out of reach.

Of course, I don’t quite understand it either.

"The goal is the Kentucky Derby."

Huangshan placed his hands on his knees and unconsciously switched to a sitting position.

"And, this isn't the case with the Japanese road."

At this moment, my heart was beating violently as if it was exploding.

"It's the same as Mr. Caesar's—"

"The Middle East Road."

(End of this chapter)