Both Kitahara and Belno Light were surprised by Fujimasa March's arrival. When Kitahara noticed Shibasaki accompanying her, he immediately began to suspect something.
"Hello, both of you," Kitahara greeted carefully, then probed, "It seems you're here to inspect the racecourse as well?"
As if she had come just to make her declaration, Fujimasa March ignored Kitahara and walked straight to the training track.
"My schedule is tight. I need to get on the track to adapt. If you have anything to discuss with this trainer, make it quick."
She was clearly speaking to Shibasaki.
Kitahara instinctively looked at Shibasaki. "What a coincidence… we were thinking along the same lines—training-wise, I mean."
"Uh… actually, it wasn't my idea," Shibasaki denied. "My original plan was just to have Fujimasa March work on her sprint. For an 800-meter race, having better control over the sprint gives a big advantage. I think you'd agree with that."
In principle, yes—but as Kitahara thought, in terms of end-of-race sprint speed, Oguri Cap would probably have the edge.
In the other world, in central races like the PegasusStakes, the retirement race Arima Kinen, and many others, Oguri Cap often relied on her immense sprinting ability to clinch victory in the final stretch.
During training, Kitahara could clearly feel her talent and potential in stamina control, allowing her to know exactly when to conserve energy and when to unleash it, resulting in a powerful burst of acceleration.
Under these circumstances, Kitahara didn't believe anyone could beat Oguri Cap in the final stretch.
If he had to name exceptions, a few central-world "monsters" might surpass her, such as White Lightning.
But that "Lightning" was still developing and mostly losing races in succession, so there was no need to consider it for now.
Uma Musume's traits were considered confidential. They wouldn't reveal them unless asked, and as a trainer, Kitahara wouldn't bring it up voluntarily. Following Shibasaki's lead, he said:
"Exactly. As long as the early and mid-race rhythm is maintained, the outcome often depends on the final stretch."
He then slightly changed the topic: "From what you said earlier, it seems your Uma Musume requested to come here herself?"
He glanced at the track. Fujimasa March, alone, was now jogging slowly as part of her warm-up.
Shibasaki looked the same way, wearing a slightly helpless expression:
"That's right… sigh. To be honest, my training methods can't fully utilize March's advantages. Most of the time, she leads her own training. This time is the same. Although she agreed to my sprint training suggestions, she insisted on taking time to adapt to the track herself."
"She's run here before, so it's not necessary, but I think she chose to do this because she learned Oguri Cap would be one of her competitors." Shibasaki glanced at Kitahara.
Kitahara wasn't surprised.
In the academy's practice race after the semester started, even though Oguri Cap had a delayed start by several seconds, she still achieved results comparable to Fujimasa March.
This not only showed the academy her strength but also caught Fujimasa March's attention. After the practice race, she personally told Kitahara something like, "I'll remember you," which Kitahara still remembered.
"Perhaps it's mutual respect among strong competitors," Kitahara mused.
He nodded in acknowledgment of Fujimasa March's strength. "Oguri Cap also considers Fujimasa March the fastest racehorse girl she's ever seen, and a worthy rival. But she also believes she won't lose in a head-to-head race."
"Interestingly," he continued, "March just said the same thing."
Shibasaki chuckled. "She told me the same: Oguri Cap is strong, but she won't lose either. She'll win all the way, just like before."
"Then let's give it our all together," Kitahara smiled, adding, "Alright, since you're training here, I won't intrude. Oguri Cap hasn't arrived yet, so we'll wait outside the track for her."
At this point, Oguri Cap and Fujimasa March were clearly about to compete against each other. Since March was training now, it made sense to give some distance. Kitahara thought this was proper.
Understanding Kitahara's intentions, Shibasaki didn't stop him and walked toward the track.
As he approached, he noticed that Fujimasa March had stopped her jogging and was staring intently in the direction Kitahara had gone.
"…I know you care about Oguri Cap," Shibasaki said with slight confusion, "but isn't this a bit too much? I've checked—Oguri Cap hasn't had any remarkable achievements, nor professional training. You're worried too much…"
Fujimasa March suddenly interrupted:
"You're not a Uma Musume. You wouldn't understand."
"Uh…" Shibasaki was momentarily speechless.
March continued: "I can feel it. She's absolutely not an ordinary racehorse girl. I know that at Kasamatsu Tracen Academy, the only one who can threaten my attempt at the Tokai Derby is her."
Upon hearing "Tokai Derby," Shibasaki's expression immediately tensed.
"…Are you serious?" he asked. "You think Oguri Cap might consider entering the Tokai Derby?"
In the URA calendar, the top central and local races are G1 and SP1.
Each year, roughly 7,000–8,000 racehorse girls enter races, but only a few hundred qualify for G1 and SP1. For G1, only about 100 racehorse girls are eligible per event.
Any G1 or SP1 participant is a rare, elite competitor.
Among G1 and SP1, the Derby is the absolute pinnacle. Only 10–15 racehorse girls from central or local areas can enter each year.
More importantly, a Derby entry requires the horse to participate before the second year of eligibility. Beyond that, no matter how talented or popular, they cannot register.
In other words, each racehorse girl has only one lifetime chance to compete in a Derby, giving the race a unique significance.
Central has only one Derby: the Tokyo Derby.
Kasamatsu racecourse, or the Nagoya region, hosts the Tokai Derby, which Fujimasa March had mentioned.
Currently, only a limited number of students from Kasamatsu Tracen Academy can compete in the Tokai Derby—usually just one per year.
If Oguri Cap decides to enter, she would directly face Fujimasa March.
Even acknowledging Oguri Cap's strength, Shibasaki thought March still had a slight edge and might win the qualification for the Tokai Derby.
Fujimasa March ignored Shibasaki's doubts and spoke to herself:
"I've been training since I could start running. No matter what my peers are doing, I train. That's why I've been winning. And my goal is the Tokai Derby. In the end, the winner will be me."
Though she didn't mention Oguri Cap, it was clear she was speaking to her.