Sakura Baimu initially thought Mejiro McQueen was joking, but to her surprise, the team members all nodded in agreement after hearing this.
"I suspect it too! This kind of strategy is so detailed it's almost frightening!" Tokai Teio exclaimed with a horrified expression.
"Trainer-san, you didn't do anything illegal, did you? Falco thinks it's unnecessary to go to this extent..."
Smart Falcon said hesitantly in a low voice.
"I think Miss McQueen is right. Does our Trainer-san know other Umamusumes, and has she run against Golden Crown Eagle several times?! I've never heard of such detailed tactics!" Satono Diamond's voice grew louder and louder.
"Trainer-san is keeping other Umamusumes on the side!!!" Kitasan Black also drew out her scream in horror.
Sakura Baimu: "??????"
Sakura Baimu was completely bewildered, but she quickly realized that bringing out her strategy guide at this time was a bit strange.
But it was already July, and McQueen hadn't even gained the upper hand yet; she couldn't afford to delay any longer!
"Alright, alright, you guys are all so outrageous. I'm practically starving supporting you all. Haven't you seen me eating all my meals at the academy's cafeteria? How am I supposed to afford to support other Umamusumes?"
"That makes sense. Trainer-san is struggling financially." Tokai Teio felt Sakura Baimu's words made sense, so she nodded, stroking her chin.
"Trainer-san spent a lot of money on Rice Shower's treatment, and it seems the reimbursement approval hasn't come through yet," Satono Diamond added softly.
"Hmph~~ I suspect Trainer-san has ulterior motives; she wants to recruit Rice Shower."
Tokai Teio grinned mischievously, as if she saw right through Sakura Baimu.
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Sakura Baimu quickly interrupted the increasingly absurd group of teammates, turning to Mejiro McQueen again. "McQueen, do you have any questions about the tactics?"
"There are no problems with the tactics. I'm just very curious how you managed to create such a detailed strategy guide, all in one night." Mejiro McQueen couldn't hide her curiosity.
"Because your trainer is amazing. She only watched one of Golden Crown Eagle's matches and already figured out her tactics."
Sakura Baimu patted her chest, casually making something up, then continued.
"Another thing to report. Last night I was at the hospital taking care of Rice Shower when I got the news that Queen Beret from the middle school has also been admitted."
Seeing the shocked expressions on the faces of the Umamusumes in the room, Sakura Baimu quickly gestured for them to stop, and continued.
"I haven't finished yet. Just like you all thought, it was that Golden Crown Eagle who did it."
"I knew it!" Mejiro McQueen exclaimed.
"That's so mean!" Kitasan Black's usually cheerful face showed a hint of anger.
"This isn't over yet. Just hours after Queen Beret was hospitalized, another Umamusume was admitted. This time, it's the culprit behind the injuries to the Tracen Academy Umamusumes these past few days—Golden Crown Eagle."
"What?!!" The Umamusumes were all shocked.
"Golden Crown Eagle is hospitalized?! How could her strength possibly match that of an active-duty Umamusume here?!"
Mejiro McQueen's expression was even more astonished than when she heard about Queen Beret's hospitalization. She had personally experienced Golden Crown Eagle's strength; it was simply unbelievable.
How could such a powerful Umamusume be hospitalized so soon after causing another Umamusume's hospitalization?
"Could it be the Chairman?! Did the President intervene?!" Tokai Teio said excitedly.
"No... no way, as the President, she wouldn't personally get involved..." Smart Falcon said.
"Could it be Maruzen-senpai?" Kitasan Black exclaimed excitedly.
"Or maybe CB-senpai, or Narita-senpai?!" Satono Diamond guessed.
"I don't know for sure, but I bet it's some kind of Umamusume who's both handsome and beautiful, bursting with a sense of justice, and incredibly strong. Golden Crown Eagle got her comeuppance, suffering a minor injury, but it won't affect the Japan Cup." Sakura Baimu said, then looked at Tokai Teio.
"Oh, right, I have something else, Teiō!"
"Yes!"
"I'm planning to send you to the Breeders' Cup Turf tournament in the US this November. It's the number one Turf tournament in the US. No Japanese Umamusume has ever participated in it before."
"!!!!!!!!!"
Tokai Teio and the other Umamusumes from TCB were stunned by Sakura Baimu's bombshell announcement.
They all stared in disbelief.
"I'm... I'm going to compete internationally?!"
Tokai Teio suddenly felt a little scared; she had never left Japan before.
"Teio, you've already won three titles. It's not surprising that you want to go further and compete internationally, right?" Sakura Baimu said with a smile.
"But... but I don't want to end up like Suzuka-senpai from Spica, spending whole years abroad!! I don't want to leave TCB!!! I don't want to leave the president!!!"
Tokai Teio's face was pale, and she shook her head vigorously.
"I didn't say you'd stay abroad like Suzuka. I'm just letting you run one race. Just this one, and you'll be back," Sakura Baimu spoke with disdain.
"I didn't plan for you to go abroad either, but you've seen it, haven't you? Since Pluto Academy's Umamusumes came to Japan, they've been using all sorts of underhanded tactics without restraint."
"While McQueen defends Japan's honor at the Japan Cup this year, I want you, Teiō, to win their most important race and show them how formidable Tracen Academy's Umamusumes are!" Sakura Baimu said, smiling as she looked at Tokai Teio.
With Sakura Baimu's words, the fear on Tokai Teio's face finally vanished, replaced by unwavering determination.
She even felt a surge of excitement in her chest.
"I understand, Trainer-san! I'll do my best and win this race!"
Tokai Teio nodded emphatically to Sakura Baimu.
"Go Teio, Teio! I'll be cheering for you!" Kitasan Black, Tokai Teio's devoted fan, looked at the internationally bound Tokai Teio with shining eyes and exclaimed excitedly.
"Hehe, that's a good girl," Sakura Baimu chuckled, ruffling Tokai Teio's hair again.
After giving her instructions, Sakura Baimu reviewed them and, finding nothing missing, gave a brief overview. She then instructed her team members:
"Alright, time to head to the racetrack. I wonder if you have any challenges today. If not, watch the races for a while, then head to training."
Just as Sakura Baimu was about to leave the activity room, she suddenly heard Mejiro McQueen's voice from inside.
"Trainer-san, um... I wanted to mention something about what happened after my race yesterday afternoon."
--
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Author's Note:
The Breeders' Cup Classic in the United States is ranked fourth in the world by the International Federation of Horse Racing Organizations (FIA) as a Grade 1 race, and it boasts the highest prize money in the United States.
Additionally, the Breeders' Cup has a "Win and You're In" system, where the winner of a major thoroughbred race worldwide automatically earns a spot in that year's Breeders' Cup.
While there are no blood relatives in the Umamusume universe, Tokai Teio in reality is a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse.
She is qualified to directly enter the race.