Chapter 76. Clement L. Hirsch Stakes [Part 1]
On the second night in the Dream World, Shuta An arrived at Del Mar Racetrack in California. Having already adjusted to the time difference, he was fully prepared to create history alongside Hokuto Vega in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes.
A total of eight races were scheduled at Del Mar that day, but Shuta An had only one riding assignment—the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, the final race on the card. Having received no mounts in the preceding seven races, he could do nothing but observe from the jockeys' room.
Much to his disappointment, the longest of the first seven races was only 1,600 meters, while the shortest measured 1,200 meters. There wasn't even a single 1,700-meter contest, preventing him from fully studying how the track would play over Hokuto Vega's race distance.
Still, every one of the 1,600-meter races had been won by horses racing prominently near the lead. From that alone, Shuta An reached a reasonable conclusion.
"Del Mar is favoring early speed today."
His gaze remained fixed on the monitor.
"That means I need to put Hokuto Vega on the front even more decisively."
Fortunately, that suited Hokuto Vega's preferred running style perfectly.
Unlike Matsumoto Shoichi, Nakano Takayoshi had not even traveled to the racecourse that day. He planned to fly to America only when Hokuto Vega competed in the Flower Bowl Stakes.
That alone revealed how little confidence Trainer Nakano truly had in Hokuto Vega's dirt prospects. Had it not been for Shuta An's insistence, he would never have agreed to send her overseas for a dirt race, much less persuade the owner to finance the expedition.
At that very moment, Nakano Takayoshi and owner Mori Shigeru were sitting in front of a television in Japan, watching the live American broadcast alongside reporters from several domestic racing publications.
"Not finishing last would already count as a success."
Owner Mori honestly voiced his expectations, prompting Trainer Nakano to smile wryly.
Please don't say things like that before the race. At least have some faith in Shuta-kun—
So when reporters asked what he expected from the race, Trainer Nakano answered without hesitation.
"I've entrusted everything to Shuta-kun. I believe both he and Hokuto Vega will produce the best performance they're capable of."
When it was finally time to meet Hokuto Vega, Shuta An splashed cold water across his face, gave himself a firm shake, and became the last jockey to leave the waiting room.
Among the other riders, only Stephen aboard Magical Maiden was someone he knew reasonably well. The two had competed against each other during the American Triple Crown several years earlier.
Naturally, Shuta An had been the star of that campaign.
Stephen—
Not so much.
Regardless of the past, however, Stephen would unquestionably be his greatest rival today.
"Magical Maiden drew Gate 3, while Hokuto Vega starts from Gate 9."
As he guided Hokuto Vega through the parade ring toward the track, Shuta An silently worked through the race.
"That means I have to maximize Hokuto Vega's break and cross in front of Magical Maiden immediately. If Stephen establishes position first, he'll defend the rail without giving me any opportunity to pass."
The moment Hokuto Vega stepped onto Del Mar's dirt surface, Shuta An's eyes lit up.
Rather than showing any discomfort at racing on dirt for the first time, Hokuto Vega looked unusually excited. Her stride became lighter, her cadence quicker, and she carried her head proudly.
Although the Attribute Viewer had already confirmed her dirt aptitude, seeing her reaction firsthand only heightened his confidence.
"For a first dirt start—" A smile appeared on his face. "She absolutely has to run well."
His thoughts had already drifted toward the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Only moments before loading into the gate did Shuta An force himself to refocus.
"First, let's win this race. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. If we can't even win today, there's no point thinking about the Breeders' Cup."
After guiding Hokuto Vega into the outermost stall, Shuta An glanced toward Gate 8, where Vieille Vigne stood alongside her jockey, Gonzalez.
"Vieille Vigne looks agitated."
His eyes narrowed.
"Didn't Gonzalez notice? That's careless. He's going to pay for it when the gates open."
As he muttered to himself, Shuta An shortened the reins, shifted his weight backward, and firmly locked both legs against Hokuto Vega's sides.
A lightning-fast break always carried risk.
But every time he had gambled this way...
He had won.
And he believed today would be no different.
Click!
The starting gates burst open simultaneously.
At that exact instant, Shuta An drove his body forward while releasing the tightly gathered reins. Freed from the restraint, Hokuto Vega exploded from the gate with astonishing force.
Her first few strides were explosive, her acceleration visibly superior to every rival around her.
Just as Shuta An had predicted, Vieille Vigne briefly reared inside the stall, lifting both forelegs as if imitating her jockey standing upright.
Fortunately, Gonzalez possessed exceptional upper-body strength and immediately forced her back down.
But that brief mistake was enough.
By the time Vieille Vigne recovered, Hokuto Vega had already opened a lead of nearly three lengths over her. Even the runners breaking from Gates 4 through 6 had been left several lengths behind.
Shuta An immediately seized the opportunity.
Ignoring whatever intentions his rivals behind him might have had, he decisively guided Hokuto Vega diagonally toward the rail.
"I have to secure the lead."
The determination in his heart was absolute.
Yet behind him, Stephen's eyes were fixed on that very same position.
"There's no way I'm letting you have it that easily."
Before the race, Stephen had also intended to use his inside draw to send Magical Maiden straight to the front.
Instead, Hokuto Vega's explosive break completely overturned his calculations.
Shuta An had already crossed in front of Magical Maiden, yet had not fully reached the rail.
That meant Stephen couldn't simply accelerate straight ahead to challenge for the lead.
To have any chance, he would first need to angle Magical Maiden outward, escape the traffic surrounding her, and then launch a challenge—all within the opening two hundred meters.
"There isn't enough room left."
Stephen frowned. Then he decided to gamble.
"I don't believe Hokuto Vega won't cut down to the rail entering the first turn."
The moment Shuta An guided Hokuto Vega inward—
That fleeting instant would become Stephen's only opportunity.