"Dan Shan Meng's jockey seems to be discussing something with the staff."
"Perhaps something isn't quite right with the saddle. The horses have nearly finished warming up now, and the staff are taking their positions."
"So which horse do you favor?"
"Although everyone's attention is on Dan Shan Meng, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe champion, personally, I favor our leading contender, Lovely Scenery."
"Everyone hopes Special Week and his daughter can both claim Japan Cup victories."
The commentators chatted during the wait.
Dan Shan Meng was strong, but this was their home turf, after all.
"The horses are entering the gates one after another. The last one in will be our Autumn Tenno Sho champion."
"In this race, that outside draw is actually quite good. It all depends on what Koichi Sasaki decides to do."
Koichi patted Japan Jordan's neck, and the pair entered their gate without trouble.
All sixteen horses were now in the gates.
Once inside, Koichi turned his head and gave a faint smile.
He was more than satisfied to have made it into an international race like this in his first year of competition.
Now it all came down to their performance.
"The long-awaited Japan Cup is finally about to begin! A clash between Japan's horses and the world's finest!"
"Who will claim first place over this classic distance?"
With the race about to begin, the commentators' voices grew impassioned.
As long as a foreign horse didn't take the prize money, that would be enough.
Their racing industry was no longer as fragile as it had once been. Its strength was steadily growing, though it still had some way to go before it could rival the world's best.
Still, European horses wouldn't necessarily adapt to their track.
"Whoooo!"
Hearing that the race was about