After the examination at the research institute concluded, Shuta An received a concise report:
"Everything is fine."
With that confirmation in hand, the young man immediately contacted Secretariat and formally proposed arranging a turf simulation race for the Uma Musume under his charge who had yet to debut.
"So you want me to arrange opponents for a simulated race?" Secretariat grasped his intention at once. "It's not impossible. However, I must make this clear in advance—if the Uma Musume you're responsible for develops psychological trauma after the race, you won't be able to blame West Coast Tracen Academy."
"Senior Secretariat," Shuta An replied with a grin, smoothly deflecting the warning, "perhaps you should be more concerned about whether your academy's Uma Musume will suffer psychological trauma from losing instead."
"So you're that confident in the Uma Musume you're training?" Secretariat raised an eyebrow. "For turf specialists, even among those who haven't debuted yet, West Coast Tracen Academy has several highly anticipated rising stars. I can have them compete against your Uma Musume—but they won't step onto the track without prize money."
"As for the prize money—" Shuta An raised his right index finger.
"A total of one million?" Secretariat tapped her finger lightly against the desk. "That will be sufficient. I'll send you the list of participating Uma Musume later. You can decide the specific race time, and the venue will be Santa Anita Park. They'll be more than happy to host a race featuring future stars."
"Then I'll leave it in your hands, Senior Secretariat." Shuta An inclined his head slightly, then turned and left.
"This isn't a bad thing for West Coast Tracen Academy—if anything, it benefits us," Secretariat said as she watched his retreating figure. "It gives these talented Uma Musume who don't run on dirt an opportunity to gain attention before their debut."
Shuta An waved a hand without turning back, signaling that he had heard.
Still, Secretariat narrowed her eyes thoughtfully and murmured under her breath, "But are you truly that confident in the Uma Musume you're training? Do you really believe anyone you casually take on can possess Oguri Cap–level talent?"
She remained unconvinced. In her view, Oguri Cap's ability was something that appeared only once every few decades in Japan. Expecting such talent to emerge repeatedly was little more than wishful thinking.
After returning to the apartment, Shuta An soon received the list of designated West Coast Uma Musume from Secretariat.
He had no intention of reviewing it alone. Carrying his laptop to the living room on the first floor, he sat down on the sofa and called out to Tokai Teio, who was enjoying dessert with Oguri Cap.
Oguri Cap remained in the garden, basking in the warm sunlight as she continued to savor her favorite sweets. Tokai Teio, meanwhile, quickly swallowed the last bite of her chocolate roll and hurried back inside, seating herself to Shuta An's left.
"Trainer, do you have something training-related to tell me?" Teio asked proactively once she settled down. "But shouldn't it still be two or three more days before I resume daily training?"
"It's about the simulated race I promised you." Shuta An replied as he opened his laptop. "But let me say this first—the race will be held at Santa Anita Park here in Los Angeles. It's one of America's top racetracks, and West Coast Tracen Academy intends to make it an exhibition race with spectators."
He paused briefly before continuing. "Even though it's called a simulated race, the pressure will be close to that of an official race—it might even feel like a Graded-level stakes."
"I have no problem with that!" Tokai Teio clenched her fists, eyes shining. "Trainer, I often dream about running down the Derby track with the cheers of the crowd around me. Honestly, having spectators is exactly what I want!"
"Good." Seeing no trace of stage fright, Shuta An nodded. "Then let's take a look at the opponents Miss Secretariat has arranged. They're Uma Musume like you—none of them have debuted yet. But their abilities have already been acknowledged by the academy, so they should be excellent opponents."
"I'm really looking forward to it!" Teio didn't underestimate these future American turf specialists in the slightest. In her mind, any Uma Musume recognized by an American Tracen Academy was undoubtedly formidable. "I really am" Even before seeing the list, she could already feel her heart pounding.
"A total of eight Uma Musume have been arranged," Shuta An said after scanning the email. "None of them have debuted yet. Judging by their physical development in the photos, they're still far from full maturity—about the same stage as you. Miss Secretariat really gave this some thought."
Tokai Teio studied the photos of her future opponents on the screen. Then, unconsciously, she lowered her gaze to her own feet.
"How is it similar—I feel like I'm still far behind."
"Hm?"
Shuta An hadn't noticed her movement and didn't catch her words, simply turning his attention back to the list.
"Kotashaan, Flawlessly, Sky Classic, Paradise Creek, Hatoof, Tight Spot, Miss Alleged—It's all Greek to me." (The trivia about the horse at the back)
"Their recent training results are included too," Tokai Teio noted as she looked over the PDF with him.
"I suppose that's proof their strength isn't weak," Shuta An replied indifferently. His concern lay elsewhere. "The problem is, we don't know what kind of tactics they specialize in."
"It's fine!" Tokai Teio patted her chest confidently. "I can handle either Senko or Sashi!"
"In that case, forget it." Shuta An abandoned the idea of forming a strategy altogether. "This is just a simulated race to assess your abilities. When the time comes, run however you like—just don't hurt yourself."
"I understand!" Tokai Teio's face lit up with a radiant smile. "I definitely won't disappoint you, Trainer!"
"It's still too early for your debut," Shuta An said honestly. "As long as you don't hurt yourself, I won't be disappointed."
Miss Secretariat had always acted with swift efficiency—and this simulated race was no exception.
"So the simulated race is scheduled for a week from now?" Standing in the corridor, Shuta An watched Oguri Cap continue her rehabilitation exercises inside the training room. Upon receiving Miss Secretariat's notice, he raised an eyebrow. "So eager?"
"If it weren't for Santa Anita Park's management requesting time for promotion, I'd wish the race could start tomorrow," Miss Secretariat replied coolly. "Is your girl ready? Let me warn you in advance—several Uma Musume here have already received 'give it your all' orders from their Trainers. If she loses badly and ends up crying, you'll be the one comforting her."
"I bet you haven't even seen Tokai Teio once, Miss Secretariat," Shuta An laughed softly. "Otherwise, with your eyesight, you wouldn't say something like that."
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone.
"It sounds like your confidence in Tokai Teio is even greater than in Oguri Cap?" Miss Secretariat finally asked.
"No." The young man did not answer directly. "I simply think your judgment has no basis whatsoever."
"Alright." Miss Secretariat's tone shifted slightly, carrying the authority of West Coast Tracen Academy's nominal No.1. "I'll greet Miss Symboli Rudolf later and ask Tokai Teio to meet me. I want to properly assess that child's ability."
"If you plan to put her on the training track, I must refuse," Shuta An's mouth twitched. "The race is next week. Right now, I'm limiting her training intensity to no more than two hundred meters in seventeen seconds."
"I won't let your precious Uma Musume waste her energy," Miss Secretariat pouted lightly. "You and your Trainer's stubbornness on this point are exactly the same as him."
At the mention of his father, Shuta An fell silent.
Tokai Teio gently knocked on the door of the West Coast Tracen Academy Student Council office.
She had been fully immersed in Disney cartoons back at the apartment when her loved Kaichou~ informed her that she was to meet the legendary American Uma Musume stationed here. The news instantly made her heart tighten.
From Oguri Cap and senior Berno Light, she had already heard about the relationship between this living legend and her Trainer. She also knew—perhaps more clearly than anyone—just how terrifying this Uma Musume's strength had been during her active years in the Twinkle Series.
It could even be said that Miss Secretariat was exactly the kind of Uma Musume Tokai Teio longed to become.
"What kind of Uma Musume is Miss Secretariat, really?" After knocking, only a few seconds passed, yet Tokai Teio felt as though her thoughts had stretched across centuries.
"Please come in."
The Japanese spoken from inside was slightly unfamiliar—but the moment Tokai Teio heard it, much of her tension eased. The small Uma Musume pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Despite being called the Student Council office, only Miss Secretariat herself occupied the room. Hearing the door open, she merely lifted her head—and met Tokai Teio's gaze.
Just that single glance. Tokai Teio immediately lowered her head.
"Such pressure!" She panicked inwardly. "Just one look and I can feel how strong Miss Secretariat is. This presence is even more overwhelming than Kaichou—I've never encountered anything this intimidating!"
Noticing Tokai Teio's reaction, Miss Secretariat paused. She cleared her throat, stood up from her chair, walked around the desk, and approached her.
"Please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?"
"Um— hachimi—" Tokai Teio softly voiced her favorite.
"Honey water?" Miss Secretariat froze for a moment—she clearly didn't have that in her office. Still, she showed no embarrassment, immediately pulling out her phone and requesting someone from the Student Council to prepare it.
"Miss Tokai Teio, please sit wherever you like. I've already asked them to prepare the honey water."
With her back turned, Miss Secretariat gave further instructions.
"Okay!" Tokai Teio bowed, then chose the seat closest to the door. Sitting down obediently, she placed her legs together, smoothed her skirt, and rested her hands neatly on top.
"The simulated race is next week, Miss Tokai Teio." After returning to her chair, Miss Secretariat spoke gently. "How are your preparations? Do you need anything?"
"With Trainer's help, everything's going well!" As the topic shifted to the simulated race, Tokai Teio finally relaxed, her voice gradually returning to its usual brightness. "There's nothing extra I need. The training facilities at West Coast Tracen Academy are extremely complete! Miss Secretariat did an amazing job building them!"
"As long as you're satisfied." Miss Secretariat's tone softened unconsciously. "The Uma Musume arranged for this simulated race are all promising, unde-butante turf specialists from our Academy. This was also your Trainer's request. To be honest, I was worried whether you could put on a good performance."
"I'll do my best!" Tokai Teio clenched her fists. "Even though Trainer has never praised me directly, I can feel his expectations. And I have high expectations for myself too. I don't want to disappoint either of us. I'll seize this possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with everything I have—and leave no regrets!"
"I see." Miss Secretariat listened quietly, her gaze gradually softening. "Then give it your all."
With her intuition, Miss Secretariat could clearly sense the talent hidden within Tokai Teio. She now understood—Shuta An hadn't exaggerated in the slightest. If developed properly, this girl could indeed display abilities on par with Oguri Cap.
"But first—" Miss Secretariat muttered inwardly. "She needs adaptability to middle-to-long distance turf. More importantly—can she overcome European turf like Oguri Cap did?"
Though she was an American Uma Musume, Miss Secretariat fully acknowledged that when it came to turf Twinkle Series, Europe stood at the summit—especially the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, held every early October at Longchamp Racecourse in France.
It was the pinnacle of the world's middle-to-long distance turf racing.
"Without winning that race, it's hard to be called the 'strongest' in middle-to-long distance turf—just as American Uma Musume can't claim dominance without winning the Breeders' Cup."
Every one of these murmured thoughts reached Tokai Teio's ears. She pursed her lips quietly, thinking to herself—
"So…to surpass Oguri Cap-senpai, the most straightforward path is to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, isn't it?"
At that moment, beyond becoming the next 'Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume' after Symboli Rudolf, Tokai Teio gained another goal.
(Triva here:
Kotashaan—winner of 5 G1 in 1993 in USA—you can find the JBIS record
Flawlessly—a nine-time Grade 1 winner and the Eclipse Award winner for Champion Female Turf Horse in 1992 and 1993, Flawlessly won three consecutive editions—you can find the record in https://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/flawlessly.html
Sky Classic—winner of Rothmans Ltd. International Stakes (1991): Set a new course record for 1 1/2 miles on turf at Woodbine. Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (1992): Set a course record for 1 1/2 miles at Belmont Park, a record which broke Secretariat's 19-year-old turf record for that distance.
Paradise Creek—a four-time G1 record in USA—you can find the JBIS record
Hatoof—four G1 included 2 in British, 1 in Dubai, 1 in Beverly Arlington Park https://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/ hatoof.html
Tight Spot—two G1 winner in Arlington and Der Mar—USA. You can find the record in https://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/tight-spot.html
Miss Alleged—I can only find her record of one G1 win in Breeder Cup Turf; since her name was the same with Alleged the search kinda mixed)
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