Chapter 77. Clement L. Hirsch Stakes [Part 2]
After entering the first turn at Del Mar Racetrack, Shuta An made no attempt to guide Hokuto Vega toward the rail to save ground.
He knew perfectly well that Stephen was shadowing his every move from behind.
"You're waiting for me to dive to the inside so you can slingshot around the bend and challenge for the lead? As if I'd hand you that opportunity." A faint smile tugged at the young man's lips. "Just stay there and enjoy the pace I'm setting."
Seeing that Shuta An refused to expose even the slightest opening, Stephen could only sigh inwardly before settling Magical Maiden in directly behind Hokuto Vega, patiently waiting for his chance.
"This Japanese mare is racing on dirt for the first time. Shuta An only sent her to the front because he's worried about the kickback. It doesn't matter. She'll lose momentum sooner or later. When that happens, Magical Maiden and I will strike."
—
Aside from urging her several times out of the gate, Shuta An barely asked anything more of Hokuto Vega after she secured the lead. He simply kept light contact on the reins, allowing her to settle into her own rhythm.
This was the first time Hokuto Vega had employed front-running tactics since her debut, yet Shuta An could immediately tell that the unfamiliar strategy had not made her overexcited or uncontrollable. Instead, she traveled with remarkable composure, maintaining a tempo that was honest but by no means reckless.
"So front-running suits Hokuto Vega as well. Even when we return to turf, it's an option worth considering."
—
Watching the race from Japan, Nakano Takayoshi turned to Mori Shigeru.
"Even if we suffer a decisive defeat in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, discovering this alone makes the trip worthwhile."
"The race has only just begun—less than 400 meters in," Mori Shigeru waved his hand dismissively. "Don't start thinking about what comes after defeat before we've even finished running."
To the reporters observing nearby, however, the exchange carried a completely different flavor.
"That reaction alone might be worth including in tomorrow's feature," several of them thought silently.
As for what Shuta An might think if he learned that his Trainer and Horse Owner were already discussing the value of losing while he was still racing, that was beyond the reporters' concern.
As Hokuto Vega exited the opening turn and entered the backstretch still in front, Shuta An silently estimated her opening quarter.
"Around the high twenty-three-second range."
At nearly the same moment, Nakano Takayoshi glanced at the television screen.
1/4 Mile: 23.81
"Isn't that a little quick?"
Having little experience judging the pace of American dirt races, he instinctively compared it to Japanese racing and couldn't help feeling uneasy.
"It does seem a bit fast," one of the reporters remarked. "But today's track is clearly favoring horses with early speed. It should be acceptable."
Hearing the analysis, Mori Shigeru gradually relaxed again.
"Trust Shuta-kun. If he's setting this pace, then he's already thought everything through."
In reality, however, Shuta had simply allowed Hokuto Vega to dictate the rhythm she found most comfortable.
"This pace isn't excessive. Let's just leave it as it is."
He was confident that Hokuto Vega would not exhaust herself before the decisive stage of the race, so he had no intention of interfering.
After entering the long backstretch, Shuta An once again estimated Hokuto Vega's sectional time over the next 400 meters.
"Low twenty-three seconds. The straight naturally encourages a slightly quicker rhythm."
He carefully synchronized his own breathing with Hokuto Vega's and was pleasantly surprised to discover that her breathing remained exceptionally steady, her stamina reserve still abundant.
"Then we'll simply maintain this rhythm."
The young man tightened his grip on the reins, giving only the lightest encouragement while otherwise allowing Hokuto Vega complete freedom.
Behind him, the gap from Magical Maiden had quietly grown to nearly two lengths.
Stephen had deliberately restrained Magical Maiden, choosing to conserve energy instead of chasing immediately. He refused to believe Shuta An would allow Hokuto Vega to dictate the race unchecked all the way to the finish. Nor did he believe a mare making her dirt debut could sustain such a pace.
"My opportunity will come."
As Hokuto Vega swept into the final turn while the last runner, Vieille Vigne, had only just entered it, Shuta An again calculated the latest 400-meter split.
"Again, around the low twenty-three-second range. Almost identical to the previous section."
Once more he matched his breathing with Hokuto Vega's, only to find that her reserves remained astonishingly deep.
"Perfect. Stay exactly like this."
He maintained a firm hold on the reins, continuing to urge her only lightly without issuing any additional commands.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez steadily drove Vieille Vigne closer. Beneath him, he could feel the mare's powerful stride gathering momentum.
"Del Mar's stretch is short, but we'll catch them." Confidence flashed through his eyes. "Can Hokuto Vega really sustain this pace? Impossible."
The thunder of hoofbeats surged behind him. Some grew louder, some drew closer, yet Shuta An remained perfectly composed.
"Only the short homestretch remains."
As Hokuto Vega straightened for home, the young man shifted the whip he had been carrying in a reverse grip and glanced over his shoulder.
Magical Maiden had closed to within half a length.
The next instant, Shuta An snapped his head forward again.
His jaw tightened.
The first whip of the day cracked sharply across Hokuto Vega's flank.
At the same time, his driving became noticeably more forceful.
"The final 280 meters. Show every rival behind you that you still have another gear, Hokuto Vega!"
Three crisp left-handed strikes landed in rapid succession.
Shuta An immediately switched the whip back into a reverse grip, gathered the reins firmly, lifted Hokuto Vega's head slightly, then drove it forward once more.
Again.
And again.
Gradually, the world around him faded away.
The roaring crowd disappeared. The pounding of every rival's hooves vanished.
All he could hear were Hokuto Vega's breathing, his own breathing, and the relentless rhythm of her stride.
The entire world seemed to fall silent.
Only he and Hokuto Vega remained, charging toward the finish with unstoppable momentum.
Instinctively, Shuta An glanced back.
Magical Maiden—the nearest pursuer—had shrunk into nothing more than a tiny figure in the distance.
With barely twenty meters remaining, the young man finally eased his grip on the reins, allowing Hokuto Vega to begin decelerating.
Obediently, she shortened her stride and floated effortlessly across the finish line.
"The Vega from Japan shines beneath the blue skies of California!" the track announcer roared.
At that exact moment, thousands of miles away, Nakano Takayoshi, Mori Shigeru, and every reporter gathered before the television fell into complete silence.