During the final two days of training for the Japanese Derby, Kitasan Black occasionally recalled that strange dream, and gradually began to feel the buzz surrounding the race.
It was a strange thing, too.
As the crown jewel among graded races and a uniquely prestigious leg of the Triple Crown, it was no exaggeration to say that, with the Japanese Derby drawing near, every eye in every field was focused on it.
Even when she went shopping on Rest Days, she could see electronic screens of every size at intersections and on towering buildings, all broadcasting news about the Japanese Derby.
There were thrilling highlights from past races, interview clips with Horse Girls who had won the Derby, and all manner of commentary and analysis from industry experts.
The contestants about to take the field were naturally the focus of the publicity.
Especially her, the top favorite who had won four races in a row and already held the Satsuki Sho title.
<First Victory Secured! Can Kitasan Black Recreate the Legend of an Undefeated Triple Crown?>, <Experts' Roundtable: Analyzing Kitasan Black's 2400 Meters Through Data>, <Fan Artwork "Matsuri Maiden" Takes the Top Spot: Kitasan Black's Derby Showdown Look Ignites a Creative Craze>...
Reports like these were everywhere.
That was the strange part.
Despite standing at the very center of all the attention, she did not feel anything particularly special.
It was not that she did not value it. Being in the spotlight still made her excited.
But beyond that, she felt nothing else. Especially since every day was the same as it had been before the Satsuki Sho and even earlier races—train when it was time to train, rest when it was time to rest.
Because of that dream, she found herself thinking of something that had previously been overlooked