Chapter 27. An Invitation for an Expedition
After the Satsuki Sho, although several G1 races were still scheduled for the following Sundays, most people's thoughts had already drifted toward the day of the Japanese Derby.
Team Sadalsuud, however, was an exception.
Beginning the very day after the Satsuki Sho, Shuta An arranged increased group training for Mejiro Dober and Silence Suzuka. As for Tokai Teio, he continued to keep her workload at a comparatively low intensity.
Tokai Teio was somewhat dissatisfied with this arrangement, yet she had not fully matured. She had no grounds to insist on joining Mejiro Dober and the others in heavier training. Training rashly alongside her teammates would only raise her risk of injury—and that was precisely what Shuta An was determined to avoid.
After watching the three Uma Musume of Team Sadalsuud complete their warm-ups and begin their respective training programs, Shuta Trainer sat by the track. At that moment, his phone chimed—a new message had arrived on Line.
He took the phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen, his expression instantly sharpening. The message was from Secretariat.
"Shuta, is there any Uma Musume on your team interested in participating in the 1800-meter turf race for older Uma Musume this year?"
"Asking that…" Shuta An replied without hesitation, "First, is it a G1?"
"Of course it is. It was only upgraded successfully last year, so the prize money isn't particularly high. But if you lead your team to participate, the racecourse can cover accommodation expenses."
That condition alone was already generous. Shuta An no longer concealed his intentions. "Last year's winner of the Secretariat Stakes—our team's Silence Suzuka. She's extremely well-suited for 1800-meter turf races."
"That girl…she really is excellent." Secretariat had watched this year's Dubai Race Day as well—after all, Cigar of West Coast Tracen Academy had taken the Dubai World Cup.
"By the way," she added, "that front-running style of hers feels familiar."
"Indeed," Shuta An admitted openly. "I drew inspiration from the training plan my father once designed for you."
"No wonder." Secretariat shook her head lightly. "But reaching the level I once did is still very difficult."
"I know," Shuta An replied calmly, unperturbed. "I never intended for her to become the next 'Big Red.' She is herself, and I have no intention of chasing the phantom called 'Secretariat' through her."
"That's for the best," Secretariat said, tilting her head with a helpless smile. "I always feel like I'm being underestimated."
The race in question was the Turf Classic Stakes, upgraded to a G1 only last year, with a winner's purse of 150,000 US dollars. Following it would be one of America's most anticipated annual events—the Kentucky Derby, part of the Twinkle Series.
"Seen this way, inviting overseas Uma Musume is also a way to build momentum," Shuta An mused inwardly.
Churchill Downs Racecourse was not particularly wealthy, and the reimbursement limit extended only to two people. As a result, Shuta An could not bring Tokai Teio and Mejiro Dober along to witness the "Run for the Roses" this time.
"As an Uma Musume, you should see 'America's Greatest Two Minutes' at least once" he thought. "This year and next year probably won't be possible for everyone. I'll see what I can do later."
After that day's training concluded, Shuta An stood before the three Uma Musume and announced his decision to take Silence Suzuka on an expedition to America.
"The race is on May 3rd. Even if we leave tomorrow, we'll only have about ten days to prepare," Silence Suzuka said hesitantly. "Is that really okay? The American Uma Musume are very strong."
"No problem," Shuta An replied with a confident thumbs-up. "I've checked the entry list—there aren't any truly formidable opponents. Suzuka, if you perform as you did that night in Dubai, it will be enough."
His tone then shifted slightly. "And I believe that after these days of training, your strength has improved again, hasn't it?"
"Yes!" Encouraged by his words, Silence Suzuka smiled brightly and nodded.
Tokai Teio could not hide her envy. At that moment, Mejiro Dober spoke up. "Then, Trainer, what about my pre-debut training?"
"I'll return as soon as the early-May race concludes. During these ten-plus days, Dober will train with the Uma Musume from Team Scorpii. I've already discussed it with Mr. Kitahara. I'll send the detailed training plan to your Line tomorrow—make sure you check it."
"Understood!" Mejiro Dober nodded seriously. "I'll do my utmost to prepare for my debut and make sure I don't disrupt the race plan you've arranged for me!"
"Well… Dober will likely have a very busy debut year," Shuta An remarked, confident that unlike Tokai Teio, Mejiro Dober had no health concerns as long as she wasn't overworked.
"I look forward to it," Mejiro Dober said, bowing deeply.
Back in the office, Shuta An signed the expedition application and submitted it to Symboli Rudolf.
"Hm? What's this? You've just returned, and now you're heading out again?" The 'Emperor' looked startled. "Shuta-kun, you're far too restless. Expeditions are not easy race plans."
"Still, a G1 turf race over 1800 meters during Kentucky Race Day…" She reviewed the proposal carefully. "It really is a suitable target for Silence Suzuka. It would be a shame to pass it up."
With a decisive motion, Symboli Rudolf signed and stamped her approval.
"If she can win," the Student Council President thought, "it will also add luster to this year's Takarazuka Kinen."
After returning home, Shuta An explained the situation to Oguri Cap and Berno Light.
Oguri Cap nodded while chewing on roasted meat, signaling her understanding. Berno Light's gaze flickered thoughtfully, yet she said nothing. That evening, however, when Shuta An heard a knock at his door, he immediately understood what the Uma Musume had been thinking.
"It's fortunate the flight tickets are for tomorrow night" the young man thought, quietly impressed with his own foresight.
The flight from Tokyo to Louisville took sixteen hours. By the time Shuta An and Silence Suzuka arrived at the hotel arranged by Churchill Downs Racecourse, it was already past midnight local time.
"Get a good night's rest and adjust to the time difference," Shuta An said as they parted in the corridor. "We'll begin formal training in two days. This time, let's see how a short-term expedition performs."
"Okay! Ann, you should rest early too." Silence Suzuka nodded obediently and closed the door to her guest room.
After entering his own room, Shuta An did not prepare for sleep. Instead, he took out his phone and contacted Secretariat.
"We've arrived in Louisville. There are far more people here than I expected," the young man remarked lightly.
"Of course," Secretariat replied without surprise. "It's almost Kentucky Derby week. Uma Musume from all over are gathering, and even more spectators are coming to watch."
"It's a pity our team doesn't have anyone suited for dirt races," Shuta An shrugged. "But if I discover an Uma Musume with sufficient dirt talent in the future, I'll definitely find a way to send her to the Kentucky Derby."
"The Kentucky Derby's prestige speaks for itself. Winning it is never easy," Secretariat said, then paused. "Still, if there truly is an overseas Uma Musume especially come from Japan capable of conquering it, I believe she would be trained by you. After all, your Trainer once won the Kentucky Derby seven times—the most in American history."
"Seven times is too daunting," Shuta An replied, gazing at the Louisville nightscape beyond the window. "Winning it once would already be enough for me. But for now, the priority is the Turf Classic Stakes. We didn't come all this way just to play a supporting role."
"We'll win," Secretariat said calmly. She was familiar with the lineup for the Turf Classic Stakes. In truth, if the field had not been lacking in star power, Churchill Downs would never have invited a well-known international G1-winning Uma Musume to compete.
With prize money so modest, no one would begrudge an international runner taking the victory.
—
Three days later, Silence Suzuka's training returned fully to its rhythm.
Shuta An personally inspected the turf at Churchill Downs Racecourse. It was softer than Japanese turf, yet still well within Silence Suzuka's tolerances.
"The forecast shows no heavy rain for the next two weeks," he muttered. "No need to worry about the turf turning into a bad track—If we're truly unlucky and it does, we'll withdraw. I won't gamble on Suzuka's adaptability here. The main goal for the first half of the year is still the Takarazuka Kinen."
Perhaps sensing his concern, Churchill Downs Racecourse deliberately maintained the turf with reduced moisture and reinforced drainage.
For them, it was exceedingly rare to attract an international G1-winning Uma Musume to compete in a preliminary race before the Kentucky Derby. They had no intention of losing such a publicity opportunity over track conditions.
"They're really putting in the effort," Silence Suzuka observed, watching the staff at work. She turned to her Trainer, her voice firm. "Then I have to perform well too. I can't let everyone down."
"There's no domestic broadcast this time—only newspapers are covering your expedition," Shuta An said, spreading his hands. "Most eyes are still on the Derby. Suzuka, don't pressure yourself. Run at your usual pace. Victory here will naturally follow."
"A second G1—" Silence Suzuka bit her lip, determination flashing in her eyes. "I'll definitely win. I won't let you down, Ann."
Shuta An offered no further encouragement, merely nodding. In his judgment, Silence Suzuka had no reason to lose.
—
With four days remaining, Churchill Downs Racecourse released the entry list and gate draw for the Turf Classic Stakes. Eight Uma Musume were confirmed.
Always a Classic from Canada, winner of the G3 Explosive Bid Stakes, stood out as the runner with the second-best recent record.
Labeeb from the West Coast, last year's Woodbine Mile winner, was targeting the Breeders' Cup Mile. Her Trainer had boldly proclaimed, "She'll run no worse than Oguri Cap." She was the opponent Shuta An watched most closely—and the one he had prepared specific tactics for.
"No worse than Oguri?" Shuta An sneered inwardly as he refined the plan. "With only two G1 wins, she dares compare herself to my Oguri?"
Down the Aisle, the local representative, had won last year's United Nations Stakes but had never claimed victory over 1800 meters.
"And even that United Nations Stakes field was nothing special," Shuta An concluded. In his eyes, Down the Aisle was weaker than both Labeeb and Always a Classic.
The remaining entrants had at best listed-race victories. After a thorough review, Shuta An confirmed they were largely there to fill the gate.
"This time, we'll do exactly what we did in Dubai," he said during the pre-race meeting.
"They must have studied my Dubai race," Silence Suzuka said softly, a hint of worry surfacing.
"Even if they have, it's irrelevant," Shuta An replied flatly. "They lack the caliber to exploit anything. If someone challenges you for the lead, ignore it. Run at your own pace."
Then he grinned. "Who among them would dare to challenge a 59-second first 1000 meters? None of the other seven has ever experienced that speed."
That was the core reason Shuta An felt no concern about Silence Suzuka's tactics being deciphered.
Would any Uma Musume truly risk attempting a new approach in the final race before the Kentucky Derby?
Though the Turf Classic Stakes drew less attention than the Derby itself, it was still the last race before the grand event. The pressure at the venue was anything but light.
"Now that you say that, I feel much more at ease," Silence Suzuka said, rubbing her modest chest and letting out a relieved sigh.
Her gaze sharpened, confidence steadily filling her voice. "Watch me, Ann. I'll win this G1—and set a good example for Dober and Teio-chan."
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