After Finishing Second, Toward the Derby

Though he did not do this very often, he would occasionally have dinner with the trainers or other people involved with the stable after a disappointing race.

If it was a victory, it would be a celebration; this was more or less a post-race review. Of course, the conversation was not limited to the horses he had entrusted to them. It often drifted to auctions, bloodlines, breaking and training, and even work entirely unrelated to racing, until it became impossible to stop.

For instance, that afternoon.

"Yuki, for his next race..."

As soon as he set down his teacup, Mr. Sugiyama smoothly picked up the teapot and asked that question.

After the Aoba Sho, the original plan had been to continue training on dirt, preserve Chongli's condition, and gradually improve him.

However, the result had been a second-place finish that surprised even the owner himself.

He was not arrogant enough to think they could now challenge for the Derby crown, but he could no longer regard Chongli as merely a horse in training.

Sighing over how the Amulet had slipped away again, he took out his phone.

"Now that we've earned a Derby berth, there's no reason not to go."

After answering that way some ten seconds later, he turned to Trainer Wada.

The trainer, who had been quietly discussing the race with Haruki, raised his head and responded with a remarkably resolute look.

"Then we'll go."

His tone was as calm as ever.

Yet somehow, his voice carried an intense emotion.

"Eh! The day has really come—"

Mr. Sugiyama first looked surprised, then excitedly pumped his fists a few times.

It felt like he did not need to be quite so moved, but from the breeder's perspective, entering the Derby truly was an extraordinary achievement.

And while it was