Chapter 28: Proving the Strongest in the Classic Triple Crown!
The title of "Oguri Cap II" — once someone suggests it, it would definitely be criticized by many of Oguri Cap's fans.
In their eyes, she is the champion who fought her way from the local circuits into the central leagues, conquering all spectators step by step with her own strength, becoming an annual hall-of-fame-level Horse Girl. Even if other Horse Girls could match her achievements, few could have a racing career as dramatic and perfectly concluded as Oguri Cap's.
Therefore, unlike a title like "Emperor II," which primarily carries glory, anyone calling themselves "Oguri Cap II" would inevitably be questioned comprehensively in terms of achievements, exciting races, and even popularity — except for one situation: being personally designated as Oguri Cap II by Oguri Cap herself.
Even if fans are unwilling to accept it, they would have to give this Horse Girl some face, at least to see how Oguri Cap's own judgment holds up, right?
"Old man, did you really do something this crazy without discussing it with me?!" Inside the yakiniku restaurant, Stardust Mirage lay sprawled on the table, shouting in helplessness.
"Hahahaha, how about that? Quite a shock, isn't it?" Musaka Ginjirou laughed heartily, gulping down a mouthful of beer while checking the meat on three grills simultaneously with his left hand using chopsticks.
"Who's shocked? If news of this level gets out, the entire domestic Uma musume racing world would probably be terrified by you two!" Stardust Mirage fiercely picked up a piece of grilled meat and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing vigorously.
She knew just how much effort these two had put into building momentum for her. Using Oguri Cap's honor to vouch for her at the retirement ceremony was only to dispel the media's negative reviews and give her a fair stage to compete with Tokai Teiou...
"But then... what if I fail? Oguri Cap might even get attacked because of it." Worried, Stardust Mirage sighed again.
"Mmph grmmph shmph, mmph mmph rrgh! (Then just don't fail. I believe in you!)" Oguri Cap, her cheeks bulging with a mouthful of meat, turned her head and mumbled encouragement.
"What a fool. What kind of Uma musume thinks about failure even before the race?" Old Man Musaka rolled his eyes, evenly dividing the grilled meat between the two Horse Girls in front of him, then continued unhurriedly:
"Oguri and I aren't mistaken. You definitely have the strength to challenge the Classic Triple Crown, so you must prepare early to avoid a situation like what happened with Oguri back then."
Stardust Mirage understood what Musaka meant.
The Classic Triple Crown—the Satsuki Sho, Tokyo Derby, and Kikuka Sho—takes place in April, May, and October respectively. Besides entry qualifications, each race has strict selection requirements.
Take the Satsuki Sho, for example. There are 18 entry slots in total, divided into three categories: priority entry slots, lifetime earnings slots, and lottery slots.
The priority entry slots come from three G2 preliminary races: the top three finishers in the Yayoi Sho, the top two in the Wakaba Special, and the top three in the Spring Special—eight slots in total.
The lifetime earnings slots are allocated to the seven entrants with the highest career earnings among the applicants.
The final three slots are drawn by lottery from the remaining applicants who meet the conditions.
As a Horse Girl who debuted locally only at the end of this year, even if she is specially recruited into the central leagues early next year, Stardust Mirage would have only a few months of racing time. It would be nearly impossible for her to gain an advantage in career earnings.
Therefore, her only path is to secure rankings in the three G2 races to obtain priority entry slots.
These three G2 races all start in March, so applications must be submitted in February. Moreover, each has its own eligibility requirements—simply put, a Horse Girl must have participated in classic-level races and have a certain popularity ranking to qualify.
"Popularity-wise, I can manage on my own..." Stardust Mirage already had plans of her own. She intended to participate in three or more races in January and February, winning them all. This method would give her a good chance of meeting the requirements.
"But it would be regrettable, wouldn't it? If, by any chance, you couldn't participate in the Classic Triple Crown, you'd definitely regret it." Musaka Ginjirou sighed and took another big gulp of beer.
"Back then, Oguri couldn't participate in the Derby because of such barriers—how could she not regret it? So many people say that if Oguri could have participated in the Classic Triple Crown, she would definitely have surpassed Symboli Rudolf and achieved unprecedented success. Some even call her the 'Phantom Triple Crown Uma Musume.' In the end, it's because everyone finds it hard to accept that she missed this opportunity."
As the old man spoke, he piled another large bowl of meat for Oguri Cap. Watching her eat heartily, his face was full of affectionate warmth.
"Unlike me, Oguri thinks it's enough just to be able to race with others. But no matter what, it was my fault—my negligence caused her to miss the Derby."
"So, Stardust Mirage." He looked up and met the gaze of the white-haired Horse Girl before him.
"Your potential—Oguri and I understand it best. Those training results time and again say it all... Forget titles like 'Emperor II' or 'Central Prodigy.' Run! Prove yourself as the strongest on the stage of the Classic Triple Crown!"
As Musaka finished speaking, Oguri Cap hastily swallowed the meat in her mouth, then turned and nodded vigorously at Stardust Mirage.
Stardust Mirage froze in her seat.
Although she had asked Musaka and Oguri Cap to train her, during the training process, she had never once kept up with Oguri Cap's pace. She could only follow a scaled-down training plan to improve her foundational abilities.
Perhaps she really couldn't compare to a top runner like Oguri Cap? Sometimes, after losing too often, she would doubt herself like this.
But she never expected these two to have such high expectations of her.
Become the strongest in the Classic Triple Crown...?
Indeed, there isn't a Horse Girl who doesn't yearn to prove themselves in the Classic Triple Crown. Even as a transmigrator, she had long been infected by this atmosphere—otherwise, she wouldn't have declared in an interview that she would challenge Tokai Teio again in the Classic Triple Crown.
But now it was different. With two seniors placing such faith in her, even staking Oguri Cap's legendary glory on her...
Then, what reason did Stardust Mirage have not to seize the brightest guiding star in the racing world?
"I understand." Stardust Mirage picked up her bowl and began eating heartily, stuffing all the food into her mouth. Only after wiping her lips did she reply to the old man before her:
"I will fully devote myself to preparing for the Classic Triple Crown. Please train me well, old man!"
"Hahahaha, I plan to enjoy my retirement for a while. But don't worry, I've already contacted another trainer for you. She'll be waiting for you at Central Tracen Academy—definitely the most suitable person to train you!" Musaka laughed heartily with satisfaction.
Seeing Stardust Mirage's slight disappointment upon learning he wouldn't continue training her, the old man reached out and patted her comfortingly:
"Don't worry that we'll completely abandon you either. After the break ends... around March, Oguri Cap and I will return to Tracen Academy to prepare for the Three Goddesses Dream Cup. When we meet again, don't let Oguri and me down—we'll have special training ready for you too!"
"Mmph rrgh hrrgh mmph rrgh! (Let's do our best together then!)" Oguri Cap's cheeks were bulging as she chewed vigorously on sauce-covered grilled meat. But hearing this, she quickly clenched her fists, wearing a serious expression as she cheered Stardust Mirage on.
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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