The first race was over.
Koichi had failed to win the opening race as the Horse Owner had hoped.
Of course.
He had used the track condition card before the race.
That had given him a better understanding of the heavy going at Nakayama Racecourse.
He had secured a good position at the start, only for Yuga Kawada's horse to pin him against the inside rail moments later. With the rain, running on the inside had drained a great deal of his mount's stamina.
By the time they reached the final straight, his mount had begun dropping to the back.
Fortunately, they had managed to fight their way out in the end and finish fifth.
Finishing in the money counted as a victory of sorts.
Unfortunately, the Horse Owner needed first place. Only a win would let the horse move up to the next class.
"Sasaki, here's a towel."
When Koichi returned, Saki Ikegami handed him a towel.
After that race, he was covered in mud.
His trousers had taken the worst of it, of course. His upper body was somewhat better off.
There was also plenty of muddy water on his helmet's visor.
"Thanks. I honestly don't know what to say about the track today."
Koichi took off his helmet and brushed the muddy water off his trousers.
All that mud had naturally been kicked up by the horses ahead of him.
Of course, the horses had it even worse. At least he had protective gear.
"You did everything you could in that race, Sasaki. They were targeting you right from the start."
Saki Ikegami had watched the race too, of course.
"Yeah, I'll have a word with the trainer in a bit."
Koichi only gave himself a quick cleanup.
He still had plenty of time. The next few