Chapter 5. Hokuto Vega's Race Planning
Tokai Teio and Mejiro Dober—one with astonishing talent, the other with frequent overseas expeditions—allowed Shuta An to get them accustomed to racing under the night lights in less than a week.
Similarly, their quick adaptation was also due to the efforts of Kurofune and Admire Vega.
These two Uma Musume, not yet fully developed, would always chase Mejiro Dober and Tokai Teio during every training session, putting pressure on their seniors.
Of course, the pressure they could put on Mejiro Dober and Tokai Teio wasn't significant—Shuta An felt that any pressure was good, better than simulating a race environment with no pressure at all.
Tokai Teio only found night racing novel; Shuta An could sense that she was quite excited during her night racing adaptation training.
Addressing this, the young man also gave instructions, hoping she would control her emotions.
"Teio, you know yourself that it's impossible to remain completely calm during a race, but you also can't be too excited, let alone dull. I hope you can bring your mental state when running at night closer to your normal state."
"Alright!"
Under the lights, Teio's figure shone brightly. The Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume, who gave a playful bow, made the young man momentarily stunned.
"It's best if you can do that. If you're too excited, I worry it might increase the risk of injury."
Shuta An added this, and Tokai Teio immediately became extremely serious.
For a moment, Shuta An didn't know how to complain. It seemed that scaring Tokai Teio a while ago had made this mischievous Uma Musume a bit more wary.
As for Mejiro Dober, Shuta An thought she quickly adapted to night racing because of her rich expedition experience, but Mejiro Dober knew in her heart there was another reason.
"It's still because I have to concentrate too many times at night."
She looked at her lover's figure, muttering to herself.
—
Upon returning home, Shuta An enjoyed a quiet evening.
Entering the Dream World, the young man needed to discuss Hokuto Vega's race schedule for this year with Trainer Nakano Takayoshi.
With Vega's retirement, Hokuto Vega, as the "Vega" of Kansai, carried even greater expectations from horse racing fans. Everyone hoped she could achieve more honors this year.
The pressure from public opinion fell on Trainer Nakano Takayoshi, causing the aging middle-aged man to grow more and more gray hairs.
Upon seeing Hokuto Vega's main jockey, Nakano Takayoshi sighed deeply.
"I don't know what to say, except that now the entire stable, every staff member, whether responsible for Hokuto Vega or not, is under immense pressure."
"What does it have to do with staff who aren't responsible?" Shuta An didn't understand why Nakano Takayoshi said that.
"Because everyone in the industry knows they're from my stable, so when they chat, they all bring up Hokuto Vega's year." Nakano Takayoshi gave a bitter smile. "You tell me, in this situation, can the pressure on all our stable staff not be immense?"
"Shuta-kun, don't you feel any pressure?" Trainer Nakano stared at the young man, somewhat curious.
"No pressure, or rather, I'm already used to pressure." Shuta An said without changing his expression. "My riding resources are excellent, so many times in races, I cannot lose. Losing would betray the expectations of many people, so gradually, this pressure is no longer a burden to me."
"Our stable never had a star like Hokuto Vega before." Nakano Takayoshi sighed. "But thanks to Hokuto Vega, a new horse named Hishi Amazon, who is scheduled to join the stable this year, is performing very well."
"For Trainer Nakano to praise her, it must mean she has excellent talent." Shuta An echoed, then steered the conversation back. "Let's change the subject and talk about Hokuto Vega's race plan for this year."
"There are no G1 dirt races in the homeland, so if Hokuto Vega is to stay in Japan, she can only run G1 turf races." Nakano Takayoshi's expression grew even more grim. "Hokuto Vega's turf ability is evident, but because she has won multiple G1s, she won't get any advantage in terms of weight in any race she runs."
"So, she still has to go on an expedition then." Shuta An was not at all surprised by this. "Unless Mori Shigeru transfers Hokuto Vega to a local track, then she could participate in various local races."
From a Horse Owner's perspective, this was definitely fine, but from Nakano Takayoshi's own perspective, he had to support his stable staff, and after finally getting hold of an excellent Uma Musume like Hokuto Vega, how could he let Hokuto Vega leave his stable for a local racetrack?
Shuta An certainly didn't care about this. He could still ride Hokuto Vega even if she went to a local racetrack—no one would forget that he had the qualifications of a local jockey, right?
Moreover, Mori Shigeru the Horse Owner would definitely want Shuta An to keep riding.
Hokuto Vega, who could already dominate American dirt G1 races, paired with Japan's top active jockey, then going to run local dirt stakes races—the scene would be unimaginably cruel. Perhaps by then, the race videos would even have a "horror film" tag online.
Bringing the topic back, Trainer Nakano simply gave up.
"Shuta-kun, you propose the race schedule. I basically don't know much about American races."
"Then I'll just say whatever?"
Shuta An raised an eyebrow, not expecting Trainer Nakano to give him authority so readily.
"You definitely know more than I do. You speak, I'll listen."
Trainer Nakano waved a hand, signaling the young man in front of him to be straightforward.
"Considering it's an expedition to the United States, and the gender differences in dirt races are significant, we will primarily target dirt mare-only G1 races."
Shuta An stated clearly, setting the tone for Hokuto Vega's race schedule this year.
"Considering the current timing, I suggest the first race be scheduled for late March, the Santa Margarita Invitational, a West Coast Santa Anita Park racetrack dirt 1800m mare-only G1, with a winning prize of 200,000 US dollars."
"Then in late April, there's a dirt 1700m mare-only G1 at Oaklawn Park racetrack in Central America called the Apple Blossom Handicap, with a winning prize of 500,000 US dollars."
"Since we've arrived in the Central region, it will be convenient to go to the racetracks in the East next. Considering that transportation easily accumulates fatigue, the interval between races can be longer. The Personal Ensign Stakes in mid-July this year, a Saratoga dirt 1800m mare-only G1, with a winning prize of 250,000 US dollars."
"In August, we'll stay in Saratoga and participate in the dirt 1400m mare-only G1 Ballerina Stakes, with a winning prize of 500,000 US dollars."
"This year's Breeders Cup Series is being held at Churchill Downs racetrack, so we can consider going directly there at that time, or adapt as needed in between by adding a race at a nearby racetrack to get a feel for things. These are all things that can only be determined then."
Shuta An rattled off the race schedule he had set for Hokuto Vega.
Trainer Nakano was dumbfounded at this moment. Although he had readily given authority to the jockey in front of him, he found it hard to imagine how Shuta An could eloquently arrange everything so clearly for Hokuto Vega.
"Shuta-kun, did you prepare this in advance?" he couldn't help but ask.
"Not exactly prepared in advance, it's just that I'm more familiar with the races in America,"
Shuta An lied. He dared to say that in the Dream World, no one in all of Japan understood American races better than him.
"However, this race schedule requires Shuta-kun to fly to the United States frequently. Won't it affect your local rides?"
Trainer Nakano realized another problem—no matter what races Hokuto Vega ran this year, he had to secure his saddle for her.
"No problem." Shuta An couldn't help but smile when he talked about local rides. "I was already planning to go abroad for further study this year, so I can definitely be available at a moment's notice."
"That's good then."
Trainer Nakano knew that Shuta An was a gentleman who kept his word, and he felt relieved after receiving this promise.
"I can't guarantee that Hokuto Vega will win all the races here, but I guarantee she will achieve good results." Shuta An patted his chest. "Hokuto Vega's honor is my honor as her main jockey, rest assured!"
"Only when Shuta-kun says such words can we Trainers feel at ease. If other jockeys said it, it wouldn't be as convincing."
Shuta An smiled and said nothing in response to Trainer Nakano. Taking the bait here would be suspected of slandering his friend, and he would never leave such a handle.