Golden Torrent

December 31, 2028.

On this day, Nakayama Racecourse welcomed the year-end grand prix—the Arima Memorial—with over 170,000 people gathered there.

Noda Power, regarded as a top favorite since voting began, suddenly withdrew, restoring suspense to a race that had seemed almost decided.

Before the race, the cold drizzle that had fallen since midnight stopped, replaced by a faint warmth carried by sunlight filtering through the clouds.

Despite the drainage system operating at full capacity, the turf course remained somewhat damp, and every passing hoof kicked up great sprays of mud.

The track condition gradually improved from "heavy" to "soft."

As the runners appeared one after another in the parade ring, racing fans discussed them across the rails, guessing who would emerge as the ultimate winner on today's stage of dreams.

If one were to place their hopes in a proven grand prix pedigree, then the pairing of Meisho Gekkei and Yutaka Take was the obvious choice.

On the other hand, over Nakayama's 2,500-meter course requiring two laps, Jade Record—the year's Satsuki Sho winner, widely known for a good temperament—held certain advantages in both course suitability and assigned weight.

However—

This year's Arima Memorial was somewhat different from previous years.

Among the 170,000 spectators filling the stands, racing fans from Tokyo—especially Shinagawa Ward—were more conspicuous than ever.

Atalanta's repeated challenges against the central circuit, along with the runaway declaration she had announced not long ago, had brought many fans who had previously supported only local racing to a central racecourse.

For the vast majority of local racing fans visiting the central circuit because of Atalanta, this was their first turf grand prix.

And there was only one horse they supported—"Go, Atalanta!"

Among the many Grade 1 winners, Atalanta's record was not particularly outstanding. Yet judging by the betting popularity, she had