The Hoofbeats of Early Autumn

September gradually gave way to autumn.

Even in Hokkaido, the brief, sweltering summer was beginning to feel as though it was coming to an end.

After returning to Hokkaido from the United States, I threw myself back into work as usual.

After making a round of the fence surrounding the newly built pasture, I found myself thinking, It really is autumn already.

Even when working under the sun, I no longer ended up drenched in sweat at the drop of a hat like I had in August.

The moment I returned to the break room, Zepp, who had been sprawled over the low table, spoke up.

"So it really is the Breeders' Cup."

"It's not certain that we'll go yet."

According to the reply from Trainer Yoshida, jockey Ryan Moore was quite interested in the Breeders' Cup offer.

What came next was the crucial part.

Using this weekend's WASJ in Sapporo as an opportunity, the stable would make further contact with Ryan Moore's side.

"Anyway, let's give it everything we've got—"

"Sending Eri-chan to the Breeders' Cup was obviously a decision made on a whim, wasn't it?"

Zepp's shouting and Rachel Ho's calm jab came from the low table.

After catching my breath, I dropped down to sit, and my hand slipped slightly when it touched the tatami.

It usually felt quite rough to the touch, yet when I ran my hand along the grain, it suddenly became smooth.

"If she can win, the Breeders' Cup is way more impressive than the Asahi Cup, you know~"

As Kikuchi said that, he took cold barley tea from the nearby refrigerator, poured a cup, and pushed it over along with the tray.

"Thanks... It really isn't easy for a two-year-old to travel overseas."

Baozuo seemed like the type who could handle transport