Chapter 2. Replicating Reality in the Dream World – Conclusion
Unlike Oguri Cap in the real world, Shuta An set a deliberately slow pace in the Dream World—62 seconds for the first 1000 meters at Nakayama Racecourse.
"If it's this kind of time, then there's no need to be too nervous." After hearing the commentator announce the 1000-meter split, Trainer Setoguchi Tsutomu finally let out a breath he had been holding.
"Indeed." As a major horse owner and breeder, Yoshida Zenya naturally understood racing. With such a slow pace, and considering the deep mutual understanding between Oguri Cap and Shuta An, this was effectively no different from executing standard senko tactics—running just ahead of the pack. At the decisive moment, he could fully expect their familiar, terrifying finishing kick.
"Using a leading tactic in his retirement race—if he leads all the way, Oguri Cap will truly become an undisputed legend." Yoshida Zenya thought quietly. "With achievements like that, he should be able to attract breeding offers from several ranches, shouldn't he?"
Because of Sunday Silence's introduction, Shadai Farm could not invest all of its resources into Oguri Cap. As a result, Yoshida Zenya was now eager to "lure" other ranches into offering highly rated broodmares for him.
"If he can defy common sense on the track," he mused, raising an eyebrow, "perhaps he can do the same in breeding after retirement."
The jockeys on the course, however, had no such leisure.
Yutaka Take, riding Osumi Shadai, was positioned near the rear of the pack. He hadn't even realized that Oguri Cap was the one setting the pace.
"Did Osaichi George run conservatively this time?" Yutaka Take frowned slightly. "Why is Maruyama-kun being so cautious? If he wants to beat Oguri Cap, isn't this exactly the kind of pace where he's strongest?"
Because he hadn't paid close attention through the early bends, he failed to notice that Osaichi George had never taken the lead at all—and that no horse or jockey had attempted to press Shuta An and Oguri Cap into quickening the tempo.
"Forget it. I'll take a proper look when we reach the bend." After passing the 1000-meter marker, Yutaka Take made his decision.
"Huh?!"
The moment he entered the bend and finally observed the race ahead using the terrain, Yutaka Take nearly cried out.
"What's going on? Am I seeing things? Is this what Ann-san meant by a 'surprise'?" His eyes widened—then narrowed immediately under the force of the headwind.
"Ann-san planned to lead from the very beginning, didn't he?" Yutaka Take murmured. "No wonder he wasn't worried about senior Okabe boxing him in."
"Senior Okabe would never give up a chance to win just to pressure Ann-san. After all, he isn't riding for the Symboli ranch, and no owner would sacrifice their own interests just to protect another owner's honor."
"Ann-san really calculated everything—" Yutaka Take couldn't help but exclaim inwardly. "You're incredible."
Because Oguri Cap had set such a slow pace, Yutaka Take no longer intended to sit comfortably at the back.
"Once we exit this bend, I have to move Osumi Shadai up immediately. Otherwise, there's no way I'll catch up later."
Yukio Okabe reached a similar conclusion. He, too, recognized just how slow Shuta An's pace truly was—but he could not move up to disrupt Oguri Cap's rhythm now.
"Even if I prevent Oguri Cap from surpassing Symboli Rudolf that way," Yukio Okabe thought calmly, "the owner and public opinion would never forgive it."
Suppressing the urge to act, he continued waiting patiently for what he believed to be the right moment.
Shuta An, meanwhile, never assumed that the opponents behind him were blind to the situation. He knew full well that they could see the slow pace—and that meant he could not afford to relax.
"In any case, I still need to make a move," he muttered silently, hunched low over the saddle. "I can't just rigidly maintain a slow pace. When we reach the final bend, I'll give them another surprise."
Aside from Yutaka Take advancing Osumi Shadai toward the front group, and Yukio Okabe subtly shifting Yaeno Muteki outward to avoid being trapped later, the pack remained unusually calm along the back straight.
But as Oguri Cap entered the final bend and made use of the downhill gradient, Shuta An began to push ride without hesitation. He deliberately refrained from using the whip—he had no intention of forcing Oguri Cap into a full sprint here.
Their understanding was absolute.
The instant he felt the increased pressure from his legs and posture, the Gray Horse surged forward as if an engine had ignited within him. In just a handful of strides, he opened clear daylight between himself and Osaichi George.
For a moment, Shuta An almost pulled the reins—but he steadied himself immediately. Oguri Cap had accelerated, yes, but he was far from going all out. His reserves were unmistakable.
"Even after all this time," he sighed inwardly, "Oguri Cap really is a smart one…"
"Just a push ride! Oguri Cap has instantly widened the gap!" The live commentator's voice rose sharply as excitement surged. "The Arima Kinen is a test of stamina! A former winner—even leading all the way—should have no trouble conquering this course! Are the other Racehorse still waiting? Are they really hoping Oguri Cap will slow down?!"
Seeing Oguri Cap accelerate, Yutaka Take immediately urged Osumi Shadai to gradually pick up speed as well. He had reservations about Osumi Shadai's handling, and dared not let him sprint fully through the bend. Losing control and drifting outward could cause a collision—and if an accident occurred, no JRA penalty would weigh heavier than his own conscience.
Yukio Okabe made his move at the same time.
Already positioned on the outside, he no longer needed to worry about blocked paths. Given the abnormally slow early pace, Yaeno Muteki's remaining stamina was more than sufficient. He raised the whip and struck decisively.
Yaeno Muteki responded instantly. His speed surged, and he soon overtook Mejiro Ardan, who had held third position throughout the race. Oguri Cap's figure ahead grew ever clearer, close enough that Yukio Okabe almost felt he could reach out and grasp his tail.
"Excellent—this is it!" Yukio Okabe's excitement surged as Yaeno Muteki thundered forward. "On the final straight, we'll overtake him in one burst! For the honor of Symboli Rudolf!"
But just as Shuta An and Oguri Cap entered the final straight of Nakayama Racecourse, Shuta An finally delivered his first whip of the race.
There was no need for his signature windmill motion—just a simple, restrained warning whip. From the saddle alone, Oguri Cap immediately understood his partner's intent and surged forward once more, accelerating for the second time.
"Entering the final straight at Nakayama Racecourse! What comes next is Oguri Cap's final sprint! Can Oguri Cap, who led from start to finish, still surge forward?!"
The commentator already knew the answer.
As Oguri Cap's second acceleration unfolded, the broadcast booth erupted with excitement.
"Fly! Oguri Cap! Fly! Carrying the hopes of all your fans—fly!"
"Just one whip! Only one whip from Shuta An! And now it's push-riding—just push-riding?!" The commentator clenched his fists. "He doesn't need anything more! Oguri Cap is pulling farther and farther away!"
"No one can keep up with the Gray Horse idol's pace! Four lengths! Five lengths! He's still accelerating—still accelerating! Yaeno Muteki has overtaken Osaichi George, but Yukio Okabe can no longer catch Oguri Cap!"
When Shuta An passed the 100-meter marker and could no longer hear hooves behind him, he glanced back.
His nearest pursuer was nothing more than a tiny black dot.
Victory was already absolute.
Even so, Shuta An did not fully relax. He urged Oguri Cap forward several more times. When he judged that only around twenty meters remained, he decisively rubbed the base of his hind neck, clenched the whip in his right hand, and thrust his left fist high toward the stands.
"Oguri Cap crosses the finish line! The idol Racehorse's farewell performance is absolutely flawless!" the commentator shouted, wiping at the corner of his eye.
When Oguri Cap was still fifty meters from the finish, Trainer Setoguchi Tsutomu and Yoshida Zenya were already celebrating.
"It's unbelievable," Yoshida Zenya sighed with relief. "Even in his final race, Oguri Cap still exceeds our expectations. I hope his breeding career, starting next year, can create miracles just like this."
"Shuta-kun's Strategy Ride was also decisive," Trainer Setoguchi Tsutomu said with a broad grin. "In a normal race, Okabe-kun wouldn't have had a chance to target him at all. He's really lost face this time."
"Heh. He should be thankful he failed," Yoshida Katsumi interjected coldly. "Targeting Oguri Cap? If he'd succeeded, our ranch would never entrust a horse to him again."
Yoshida Zenya said nothing. Trainer Setoguchi merely raised an eyebrow, privately feeling fortunate for Yukio Okabe. Symboli Rudolf's ranch had been declining since his retirement. Whether Shadai's introduction of Sunday Silence would succeed was still unknown—but it was, after all, the first American Triple Crown winner brought to Japan, and the momentum behind it was immense. Between the two, offending Shadai was clearly unwise.
While Trainer Setoguchi pondered this, Assistant Ikee had already made his way down to the track.
Before Ikee even stepped onto the turf, Shuta An squeezed Oguri Cap's flanks, straightened his posture, and turned toward the stands. His riding crop had already been casually tossed aside. He raised his arms again and again, urging the atmosphere higher.
Each time his hands reached their peak, the roar of the crowd surged louder.
"Shuta-kun really is a born atmosphere creator," Assistant Ikee thought as he stepped onto the grass.
After handing over the reins, Shuta An smiled and asked, "Ikee-kun—were you scared?"
"I was," Assistant Ikee answered honestly. "I didn't expect you to lead. My heart stopped for a moment. Then I thought—if I die now, I won't see Oguri Cap win—so it started beating again."
"Hahaha, sorry about that," Shuta An said, sticking out his tongue. "The lead was a spur-of-the-moment decision. But I'm very satisfied with the result."
"No one wouldn't be," Assistant Ikee agreed. "Trainer Setoguchi is very pleased too—though he hopes you'll give him a warning next time before pulling something like that."
"Next time, for sure," Shuta An replied readily.
After the winner's parade, Shuta An and Oguri Cap returned to the waiting area. This time, he jumped down and gently rubbed his head, smiling.
No one noticed the loneliness hidden in his eyes.
After all, this was the Dream World. Unlike reality, even if Oguri Cap retired from the Twinkle Series, Shuta An could always take her hand there. But here, once Oguri Cap retired, even as his main jockey, meeting him would no longer be easy.
"Live a long life after retirement," he murmured softly, offering his quiet wish.
The surrounding noise swallowed his words. Assistant Ikee, standing beside him, didn't hear a thing.
But Oguri Cap seemed to have heard—he answered with a soft snort.
Seeing his reaction, Shuta An forced a smile, turned away, and headed toward the interview area. He could already guess the reporters' questions without thinking. He answered smoothly—until the final one.
"This race marks Oguri Cap's retirement. Shuta-kun, do you have anything you'd like to say to him?"
He had expected the question. He hadn't prepared the answer.
Holding the microphone, Shuta An pressed his lips together, lowered his head, and fell silent.
As the reporters' gazes grew playful, he finally spoke.
"Oguri Cap is a partner I will never forget. These past few years, I've been deeply indebted to him. Without him, Shuta An would never be who he is today. I want to win the Derby with Oguri Cap's children—and win all the honors he regrettably couldn't claim."
He paused, then continued softly.
"To Oguri Cap, I only want to say this: you've worked hard. Please enjoy your retirement at Shadai Farm. Live well. And live longer than Shinsan."
At the end, Shuta An bowed deeply—so deeply that he knew, without question, it was the most forceful bow he had ever made in his life.
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