Toward a Midsummer of Blinkers

The scorching afternoon before the Prix Jacques Le Marois.

"Then we'll be heading out first."

After saying that, the group bade farewell to everyone at the stable and set off, with Mr. Taniguchi and Ikee leading the way.

After passing through the stable, they stepped onto a pedestrian path beside the parking lot.

The eaves that had shielded them overhead were gone, leaving only a stretch of blue sky.

Though the sun was gradually sinking westward, the sunlight remained fierce enough to sting the eyes when they looked up.

They quickly lowered their gaze and looked toward the far end of the road.

The parade ring lay there, bathed without mercy in the blazing midsummer sun.

At the front of the Jockey procession was Yutaka Take.

"This really is quite the spectacle—"

Watching the large group of Japanese and foreign reporters moving alongside Yutaka Take, Mr. Taniguchi could not help voicing his amazement.

Yet Ikee remained perfectly composed in the face of such a scene.

"It's fine. For Yutaka, this is as ordinary as having a drink."

Wasn't he just taking the chance to tease his childhood friend, Yutaka Take? While silently making that remark to himself, he looked up at the monitor inside the parade ring.

Baozuo's live odds stood at 1.9, clearly lower than those of the other five runners.

Although he had drawn the relatively unfavorable outside gate six, most racing commentators in both Japan and France had ranked Baozuo as the favorite.

In a European race, standing out too much isn't necessarily a good thing. Just as that thought crossed his mind, a familiar cheer rang out beside him.

The dark bay horse appearing at the parade ring entrance still wore the blinkers Ryan Moore the Jockey had recommended during the Breeders' Cup.

This time, however,