"Go get them, Koichi."
"Don't worry."
Koichi glanced at the procession as it began moving, then smiled.
He felt there would be no major problems this time.
They were bound to be much stronger than they had been in the first half of the year.
"I'll head to the waiting area and wait for you two."
Hitachi Yosuke gave him a thumbs-up.
The rest was up to Koichi. He had already done everything he could.
Seeing the whole procession start moving, Golden Masterpiece followed along.
He was still last in line this time.
"Big brother~~good luck in the race! Asho, keep pushing for the Triple Crown!"
In the passageway, Koichi spotted the little boy who had said he would come watch the race.
He gave him a small nod.
Sure enough, the boy had come with his father this time.
Whenever he passed through this narrow passageway, he could hear the spectators cheering them on.
The two of them had been a much-talked-about pair right from the start.
But now, most people were cheering for them from the heart, and he and Golden Masterpiece kept working hard along this path.
Their goal this time was still first place!
As Golden Masterpiece, at the very back of the procession, approached the starting line in front of the stands, the cheers grew even louder.
After all, everyone's hopes were riding on them this time.
The spectators were all hoping to see the seventh Triple Crown Winner emerge this year.
"Golden Masterpiece, go for the Triple Crown!"
"First place, first place-!!"
Koichi turned to glance at them, then urged Golden Masterpiece into a trot.
Now that they were on the Racecourse Track, it was time to begin warming up.
Seeing Golden Masterpiece start trotting, the other racehorses followed suit.
At this point,