After the examination at the research institute concluded, Shuta An received a concise report:
"Everything is fine."
With that confirmation in hand, the young man imdiately contacted Secretariat and formally proposed arranging a turf simulation race for the Uma Musu under his charge who had yet to debut.
"So you want to arrange opponents for a simulated race?" Secretariat grasped his intention at once. "It's not impossible. However, I must make this clear in advance—if the Uma Musu you're responsible for develops psychological trauma after the race, you won't be able to bla West Coast Tracen Academy."
"Senior Secretariat," Shuta An replied with a grin, smoothly deflecting the warning, "perhaps you should be more concerned about whether your academy's Uma Musu will suffer psychological trauma from losing instead."
"So you're that confident in the Uma Musu you're training?" Secretariat raised an eyebrow. "For turf specialists, even among those who haven't debuted yet, West Coast Tracen Academy has several highly anticipated rising stars. I can have them compete against your Uma Musu—but they won't step onto the track without prize money."
"As for the prize money—" Shuta An raised his right index finger.
"A total of one million?" Secretariat tapped her finger lightly against the desk. "That will be sufficient. I'll send you the list of participating Uma Musu later. You can decide the specific race ti, and the venue will be Santa Anita Park. They'll be more than happy to host a race featuring future stars."
"Then I'll leave it in your hands, Senior Secretariat." Shuta An inclined his head slightly, then turned and left.
"This isn't a bad thing for West Coast Tracen Academy—if anything, it benefits us," Secretariat said as she watched his retreating figure. "It gives these talented Uma Musu who don't run on dirt an opportunity to gain attention before their debut."
Shuta An waved a hand without turning back, signaling that he had heard.
Still, Secretariat narrowed her eyes thoughtfully and murmured under her breath, "But are you truly that confident in the Uma Musu you're training? Do you really believe anyone you casually take on can possess Oguri Cap–level talent?"
She remained unconvinced. In her view, Oguri Cap's ability was sothing that appeared only once every few decades in Japan. Expecting such talent to erge repeatedly was little more than wishful thinking.
After returning to the apartnt, Shuta An soon received the list of designated West Coast Uma Musu from Secretariat.
He had no intention of reviewing it alone. Carrying his laptop to the living room on the first floor, he sat down on the sofa and called out to Tokai Teio, who was enjoying dessert with Oguri Cap.
Oguri Cap remained in the garden, basking in the warm sunlight as she continued to savor her favorite sweets. Tokai Teio, anwhile, quickly swallowed the last bite of her chocolate roll and hurried back inside, seating herself to Shuta An's left.
"Trainer, do you have sothing training-related to tell ?" Teio asked proactively once she settled down. "But shouldn't it still be two or three more days before I resu daily training?"
"It's about the simulated race I promised you." Shuta An replied as he opened his laptop. "But let say this first—the race will be held at Santa Anita Park here in Los Angeles. It's one of Arica's top racetracks, and West Coast Tracen Academy intends to make it an exhibition race with spectators."
He paused briefly before continuing. "Even though it's called a simulated race, the pressure will be close to that of an official race—it might even feel like a Graded-level stakes."
"I have no problem with that!" Tokai Teio clenched her fists, eyes shining. "Trainer, I often dream about running down the Derby track with the cheers of the crowd around . Honestly, having spectators is exactly what I want!"
"Good." Seeing no trace of stage fright, Shuta An nodded. "Then let's take a look at the opponents Miss Secretariat has arranged. They're Uma Musu like you—none of them have debuted yet. But their abilities have already been acknowledged by the academy, so they should be excellent opponents."
"I'm really looking forward to it!" Teio didn't underestimate these future Arican turf specialists in the slightest. In her mind, any Uma Musu recognized by an Arican Tracen Academy was undoubtedly formidable. "I really am" Even before seeing the list, she could already feel her heart pounding.
"A total of eight Uma Musu have been arranged," Shuta An said after scanning the email. "None of them have debuted yet. Judging by their physical developnt in the photos, they're still far from full maturity—about the sa stage as you. Miss Secretariat really gave this so thought."
Tokai Teio studied the photos of her future opponents on the screen. Then, unconsciously, she lowered her gaze to her own feet.
"How is it similar—I feel like I'm still far behind."
"Hm?"
Shuta An hadn't noticed her movent and didn't catch her words, simply turning his attention back to the list.
"Kotashaan, Flawlessly, Sky Classic, Paradise Creek, Hatoof, Tight Spot, Miss Alleged—It's all Greek to ." (The trivia about the horse at the back)
"Their recent training results are included too," Tokai Teio noted as she looked over the PDF with him.
"I suppose that's proof their strength isn't weak," Shuta An replied indifferently. His concern lay elsewhere. "The problem is, we don't know what kind of tactics they specialize in."
"It's fine!" Tokai Teio patted her chest confidently. "I can handle either Senko or Sashi!"
"In that case, forget it." Shuta An abandoned the idea of forming a strategy altogether. "This is just a simulated race to assess your abilities. When the ti cos, run however you like—just don't hurt yourself."
"I understand!" Tokai Teio's face lit up with a radiant smile. "I definitely won't disappoint you, Trainer!"
"It's still too early for your debut," Shuta An said honestly. "As long as you don't hurt yourself, I won't be disappointed."
Miss Secretariat had always acted with swift efficiency—and this simulated race was no exception.
"So the simulated race is scheduled for a week from now?" Standing in the corridor, Shuta An watched Oguri Cap continue her rehabilitation exercises inside the training room. Upon receiving Miss Secretariat's notice, he raised an eyebrow. "So eager?"
"If it weren't for Santa Anita Park's managent requesting ti for promotion, I'd wish the race could start tomorrow," Miss Secretariat replied coolly. "Is your girl ready? Let warn you in advance—several Uma Musu here have already received 'give it your all' orders from their Trainers. If she loses badly and ends up crying, you'll be the one comforting her."
"I bet you haven't even seen Tokai Teio once, Miss Secretariat," Shuta An laughed softly. "Otherwise, with your eyesight, you wouldn't say sothing like that."
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone.
"It sounds like your confidence in Tokai Teio is even greater than in Oguri Cap?" Miss Secretariat finally asked.
"No." The young man did not answer directly. "I simply think your judgnt has no basis whatsoever."
"Alright." Miss Secretariat's tone shifted slightly, carrying the authority of West Coast Tracen Academy's nominal No.1. "I'll greet Miss Symboli Rudolf later and ask Tokai Teio to et . I want to properly assess that child's ability."
"If you plan to put her on the training track, I must refuse," Shuta An's mouth twitched. "The race is next week. Right now, I'm limiting her training intensity to no more than two hundred ters in seventeen seconds."
"I won't let your precious Uma Musu waste her energy," Miss Secretariat pouted lightly. "You and your Trainer's stubbornness on this point are exactly the sa as him."
At the ntion of his father, Shuta An fell silent.
Tokai Teio gently knocked on the door of the West Coast Tracen Academy Student Council office.
She had been fully imrsed in Disney cartoons back at the apartnt when her loved Kaichou~ inford her that she was to et the legendary Arican Uma Musu stationed here. The news instantly made her heart tighten.
From Oguri Cap and senior Berno Light, she had already heard about the relationship between this living legend and her Trainer. She also knew—perhaps more clearly than anyone—just how terrifying this Uma Musu's strength had been during her active years in the Twinkle Series.
It could even be said that Miss Secretariat was exactly the kind of Uma Musu Tokai Teio longed to beco.
"What kind of Uma Musu is Miss Secretariat, really?" After knocking, only a few seconds passed, yet Tokai Teio felt as though her thoughts had stretched across centuries.
"Please co in."
The Japanese spoken from inside was slightly unfamiliar—but the mont Tokai Teio heard it, much of her tension eased. The small Uma Musu pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Despite being called the Student Council office, only Miss Secretariat herself occupied the room. Hearing the door open, she rely lifted her head—and t Tokai Teio's gaze.
Just that single glance. Tokai Teio imdiately lowered her head.
"Such pressure!" She panicked inwardly. "Just one look and I can feel how strong Miss Secretariat is. This presence is even more overwhelming than Kaichou—I've never encountered anything this intimidating!"
Noticing Tokai Teio's reaction, Miss Secretariat paused. She cleared her throat, stood up from her chair, walked around the desk, and approached her.
"Please, have a seat. Would you like sothing to drink?"
"Um— hachimi—" Tokai Teio softly voiced her favorite.
"Honey water?" Miss Secretariat froze for a mont—she clearly didn't have that in her office. Still, she showed no embarrassnt, imdiately pulling out her phone and requesting soone from the Student Council to prepare it.
"Miss Tokai Teio, please sit wherever you like. I've already asked them to prepare the honey water."
With her back turned, Miss Secretariat gave further instructions.
"Okay!" Tokai Teio bowed, then chose the seat closest to the door. Sitting down obediently, she placed her legs together, smoothed her skirt, and rested her hands neatly on top.
"The simulated race is next week, Miss Tokai Teio." After returning to her chair, Miss Secretariat spoke gently. "How are your preparations? Do you need anything?"
"With Trainer's help, everything's going well!" As the topic shifted to the simulated race, Tokai Teio finally relaxed, her voice gradually returning to its usual brightness. "There's nothing extra I need. The training facilities at West Coast Tracen Academy are extrely complete! Miss Secretariat did an amazing job building them!"
"As long as you're satisfied." Miss Secretariat's tone softened unconsciously. "The Uma Musu arranged for this simulated race are all promising, unde-butante turf specialists from our Academy. This was also your Trainer's request. To be honest, I was worried whether you could put on a good performance."
"I'll do my best!" Tokai Teio clenched her fists. "Even though Trainer has never praised directly, I can feel his expectations. And I have high expectations for myself too. I don't want to disappoint either of us. I'll seize this possibly once-in-a-lifeti opportunity with everything I have—and leave no regrets!"
"I see." Miss Secretariat listened quietly, her gaze gradually softening. "Then give it your all."
With her intuition, Miss Secretariat could clearly sense the talent hidden within Tokai Teio. She now understood—Shuta An hadn't exaggerated in the slightest. If developed properly, this girl could indeed display abilities on par with Oguri Cap.
"But first—" Miss Secretariat muttered inwardly. "She needs adaptability to middle-to-long distance turf. More importantly—can she overco European turf like Oguri Cap did?"
Though she was an Arican Uma Musu, Miss Secretariat fully acknowledged that when it ca to turf Twinkle Series, Europe stood at the summit—especially the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, held every early October at Longchamp Racecourse in France.
It was the pinnacle of the world's middle-to-long distance turf racing.
"Without winning that race, it's hard to be called the 'strongest' in middle-to-long distance turf—just as Arican Uma Musu can't claim dominance without winning the Breeders' Cup."
Every one of these murmured thoughts reached Tokai Teio's ears. She pursed her lips quietly, thinking to herself—
"So…to surpass Oguri Cap-senpai, the most straightforward path is to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, isn't it?"
At that mont, beyond becoming the next 'Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musu' after Symboli Rudolf, Tokai Teio gained another goal.
(Triva here:
Kotashaan—winner of 5 G1 in 1993 in USA—you can find the JBIS record
Flawlessly—a nine-ti Grade 1 winner and the Eclipse Award winner for Champion Female Turf Horse in 1992 and 1993, Flawlessly won three consecutive editions—you can find the record in saricanclassicpedigrees/flawlessly.html
Sky Classic—winner of Rothmans Ltd. International Stakes (1991): Set a new course record for 1 1/2 miles on turf at Woodbine. Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (1992): Set a course record for 1 1/2 miles at Belmont Park, a record which broke Secretariat's 19-year-old turf record for that distance.
Paradise Creek—a four-ti G1 record in USA—you can find the JBIS record
Hatoof—four G1 included 2 in British, 1 in Dubai, 1 in Beverly Arlington Park saricanclassicpedigrees/ hatoof.html
Tight Spot—two G1 winner in Arlington and Der Mar—USA. You can find the record in saricanclassicpedigrees/tight-spot.html
Miss Alleged—I can only find her record of one G1 win in Breeder Cup Turf; since her na was the sa with Alleged the search kinda mixed)
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