A Great Supporting Player on the Turf

"President, for this race—"

"You can relax a little more. Just ride by feel."

"I don't have much to add either. Try to make it a well-balanced race."

Teacher Tanaka folded the racing form and slipped it into his pocket, his expression slightly more relaxed than before as he joined the conversation.

"Then we'll be counting on you."

With that, he gave the jockey a deep bow.

After returning the bow, Ishikawa turned and jogged off toward the parade ring track.

Apparently annoyed that his interaction with the fans had been interrupted, Pegasus gave a few dissatisfied snorts when Ishikawa mounted him.

Still, he reluctantly started walking.

After signing autographs and taking photos with the cheering fans alongside old man Nishiyama, completing the routine that had become second nature to them both, they finally headed for the viewing room.

Following the crowd back to the Fuji Stand, they found an even longer line than before outside the official JRA souvenir shop on the second floor.

"They should have made it clear from the start that they didn't have any."

"What a disappointment."

Such complaints could occasionally be heard among the racing fans leaving the shop.

—JRA did not sell any merchandise related to regional horse racing.

For that reason, regional racecourses around the country had apparently gained quite a few new fans over the past two years—people who did not watch many races, yet returned from every visit loaded down with shopping bags.

"Seriously, I came because I thought they'd sell Pegasus plushies. Ah—President Kitano!"

Not wanting to disappoint fans who had made the trip specifically for that, he agreed to every request for an autograph or photograph.

Even old man Nishiyama laughed and said things like, "Kitano, you're too enthusiastic."

Delayed for quite a while along the way for