Two-Horse Lineup

After returning home, Kitano received a call from Tanaka, the trainer.

Tanaka wanted to discuss Mejiro Sakuya's next race in the near future.

Kitano readily agreed and scheduled the meeting for the following morning.

It happened to be Sunday, when the clinic was closed.

The next morning, Kitano arrived at Monbetsu Stable beside the racetrack at the agreed time.

As he approached Tanaka Stable, Kobayashi, one of the stable hands, was swinging a broom at a row of crows perched on a water pipe.

He seemed to have tried several times without success.

"Let me do it."

Another tall, skinny stable hand took the broom, climbed onto a stool, and unsteadily swatted at them a few times.

The crows cawed and flapped their wings as they took off.

Before the men could feel pleased with themselves for long, the black shapes circled overhead a few times before quickly returning to the water pipe.

"Caw—caw—"

As if mocking the incompetence of the humans below, the crows called out one after another.

Though the early-summer breeding season had long passed, the crows in Flowing Sand Prefecture were still exceptionally noisy.

"Looks like we'll have to install protective measures."

Tanaka could only quietly add another expense to the stable's budget.

Only then did he notice Kitano watching from a short distance away with curious eyes.

"Good morning, Mr. Kitano."

With a slightly apologetic expression, Tanaka jogged over.

Behind him followed Kobayashi and the other tall, skinny stable hand, both hanging their heads like schoolchildren who had done something wrong.

"Good morning, everyone."

Kitano shifted his gaze from the crows and smiled as he greeted the three men.

"Sorry about that. Please, let's talk inside."

Tanaka pointed toward the stable.

The moment they entered, the temperature seemed to jump several degrees.

Even with the fans running at full power, the stifling heat showed no sign of dissipating.

Most of the racehorses in the stable looked listless.

"At first, I thought spraying water would lower the temperature, but unexpectedly, it only made things hotter."

As they walked, Tanaka shook his head and described the conditions in the stable.

"After that, I tried putting ice in front of the fans, but that did not seem to do much either."

In order to lower the stable's temperature, he had tried quite a few methods he had learned online.

But so far, aside from submerging chilled bottles of mineral water in the troughs, none of the other methods seemed to have worked.

"Spraying water probably failed because the humidity was too high... How about hanging some tarps on the windward side to channel the breeze inside?"

Kitano glanced up at the sensor mounted on the wall and made a suggestion.

"Tarps... would that work?"

Tanaka paused slightly, asking uncertainly.

"It should lower the perceived temperature by two or three degrees, I think."

Kitano answered with equal uncertainty.

It was only a rustic trick he had picked up secondhand from several livestock farmers.

"Then let's give it a try."

Taking off his helmet and fanning himself with it, Tanaka added another expense to the budget.

After all, it would not cost much.

Beyond the long stable corridor was the washing area.

Large mottled green stains spread along the edges of the partitions.

All three wash stalls were occupied, the racehorses sticking out their tongues as they enjoyed the rare refreshment of summer.

At last, they arrived at the somewhat cramped staff break room.

Tanaka took several cans of oolong tea from a small refrigerator and handed one to Kitano.

A neat chorus of cans opening rang out.

It was immediately followed by a synchronized sigh.

Only then did Tanaka take out an entry form.

"With Mejiro Sakuya's ability, I think she can give this race a try."

That was what he said.

Then he handed the entry form to Kitano.

"NEXT STAR Monbetsu... ten million yen for first place?"

Kitano raised his head in surprise.

He had thought Tanaka's words after the maiden race had merely been polite talk.

But now, it appeared Tanaka was genuinely considering entering Mejiro Sakuya in a graded race.

"That's right. I think Mejiro Sakuya has a good chance of fighting for a solid placing."

Tanaka nodded with a smile.

"Also, Pegasus should be able to give it a try."

After hesitating for a moment, he continued.

At first, he had not paid much attention to these two racehorses bearing the Mejiro name.

It could even be said that he had only taken them into his stable on a whim.

But now, the two of them stood out among Tanaka Stable's two-year-olds.

For most two-year-olds, the norm was to drift repeatedly between various maiden races.

"Can they do it?"

The joy of having a chance to enter a graded race lasted only a brief moment before Kitano quickly regained his composure.

The horses' own ability, eligibility to enter, condition, and degree of fatigue were all factors that had to be considered.

"It'll be fine. Twelve hundred meters is within both of their range. Whether it's Pegasus or Sakuya, they should both put in a good performance."

Tanaka nodded.

"What about eligibility? Is it really all right for Sakuya when she's only won one newcomer race?"

Kitano still asked with some unease.

He vaguely remembered that, apart from priority entry rights from trial races, most graded races accepted entries in order of prize money.

"Leave that to me. Neither horse will have any problem with eligibility."

Tanaka smiled, patting his shoulder as he answered.

Local graded race entries did not have overly strict regulations.

There was even a certain tacit understanding among trainers, who effectively divided up the entry slots for graded races among themselves.

Last year, because he had no particularly capable two-year-olds on hand, Tanaka had simply yielded his entry opportunity for NEXT STAR Monbetsu.

In exchange, he received a favor from his senior, trainer Kadowaka.

Kadowaka had sent out three horses at once, including one of the favorites.

Though the results did not seem particularly ideal.

This year, Tanaka planned to send a two-horse lineup into this race.

Both Mejiro Tenma and Mejiro Sakuya possessed strong competitiveness among racehorses of their generation.

However, that was contingent on Kitano, their owner, agreeing to it.

"I see..."

With the eligibility issue resolved, Kitano began considering the horses' conditions again.

A month was enough time for Mejiro Sakuya to adjust herself for the race.

Mejiro Tenma was somewhat fatigued, but recovering should not be a problem either.

There was plenty of time.

Besides, the fifty-thousand-yen-per-kilogram bedding beneath their hooves should be of some help as well.

However, there was still one issue.

"Pegasus and Sakuya are both currently ridden primarily by Ochiai, right? What should we do if both horses race at the same time?"

Kitano raised his final concern.

"How about Shigeshi Hattori? He's quite capable as well, and he has some understanding with Genta."

Tanaka took the opportunity to recommend another regular jockey from his stable.

"Jockey Hattori?"

Kitano furrowed his brow slightly as he considered it.

From what he remembered, Hattori was indeed a highly seasoned jockey.

"Then I have no objections."

He nodded.