Hanshin Racecourse.
As a prep race for the Oka Sho, the Tulip Sho naturally drew a sizable crowd.
But with three racecourses open at the same time, the spectators were inevitably spread out.
As for Koichi, he had only four races that day, including the Tulip Sho.
"How well has your horse for the next race recovered?"
Having changed, Ryuji Wada sat down beside Koichi.
It was hardly a secret.
"She seems to have recovered pretty well. She isn't back to her peak, but overall, there shouldn't be any problems."
Koichi spoke while wearing the Sunday Club's racing silks.
The carrots had helped a little.
But how much strength she could bring out on the track would still depend on the circumstances.
They had certainly done everything they could on their end.
"That really was rotten luck. Your first time competing in the fillies' races, and something like this happens."
Ryuji Wada patted Koichi on the shoulder.
He had been quite optimistic about Gentildonna. After all, she had performed very well in the Shinsan Memorial, and her final kick was exceptionally powerful.
"Compared with other, more serious mishaps, a fever is something I can live with. At least she can still race."
Koichi spread his hands.
If something went wrong with a filly, she could still become a broodmare. That was a decent alternative path.
"Wada, since Gentildonna is in such poor form, I'd suggest targeting the favorite, Life Is Fun, instead."
"Fukunaga and I are good friends. How could I do that to him?"
Ryuji Wada waved to Yuichi Fukunaga nearby.
Although Yuichi Fukunaga was a year older than him, they had graduated from the academy in the same year.
"What are you two talking about over here?"
Seeing him wave, Yuichi Fukunaga came over.
"We're discussing how to