The "pre-race presentation" is the final preparation process before an official race, also called the "appearance lap."
Each racetrack has a specially designated area. Before the race begins, the Uma Musumes go to that spot to do warm-up exercises. At the same time, according to the staff's arrangements, they take turns "making their appearance."
Generally, they walk out from a position similar to a runway, strike a pose, and allow the announcers to introduce them to the audience.
The "Winner's Stage," as the name suggests, is a performance by the winning horse girls after the race. It's the part of the horse girl industry that most closely resembles the "idol business."
"It's just that previously, time was a bit tight," Kitahara said with some regret when mentioning the Winner's Stage. "All the time was spent on training, so Oguri didn't get a chance to practice dancing. I hope she can perform well when the time comes."
"Should… be fine, I guess," Belno Light added, following Kitahara's thought. "Oguri said before that she can still dance a little. She's so talented, so dancing shouldn't be a problem…"
Thinking of Oguri's naturally ditzy expressions, Kitahara was about to say something like "don't get your hopes up" when voices from behind interrupted him.
"Yo, Kitahara! You're here early."
The one greeting him was Uncle Gen'ichi Yan, but when he turned to look, Kitahara noticed that Kawamura Hiyori and Shibasaki had come along as well.
"Looks like you've already discussed things with the horse girls on your team," Kitahara said.
He nodded but was a bit puzzled. "But I remember Shibasaki's and Yan's horse girls are having their debut race today. Hiyori Kawamura, your team's girls… haven't been scheduled yet, right?"
Information about debut races is sent to trainers in advance. Kitahara knew that today, alongside Oguri, there would be Fujimasa March competing, as well as the southern female from Yan's team. However, Kawamura Hiyori's team members were not on the list.
Hiyori Kawamura made an embarrassed expression, covering her forehead and pointing to the other side of the stands:
"Ah, I didn't really want to come, but those guys insisted on cheering for Fujimasa March. I was afraid they'd make too much noise, so I followed along."
Kitahara paused, and following Hiyori Kawamura's gesture, he saw three horse girls in the distance.
One looked very stylish and had delicate features.
The second was shorter, with short black hair just above her ears, and wore thick-rimmed round glasses.
The last one had a rather fierce appearance and was tall—taller than the other two—and looked intimidating.
Norn Ace, Rudy Lemono, and Mini The Lady. The three names flashed through Kitahara's mind, and he quickly frowned.
These three horse girls had been the ones to lead the exclusion of Oguri in the original story. Having learned that the same thing had happened in this world, Kitahara decided to observe quietly to avoid complications and had investigated discreetly.
It seemed they noticed Kitahara's gaze. Originally, the three horse girls were looking at the racetrack, but now they glanced over briefly, then turned their heads again with various expressions.
…Fortunately, apart from previous incidents, they hadn't done anything else, otherwise… Kitahara thought as he averted his gaze, his brows furrowing tighter.
No one except Kitahara knew that Oguri had been ostracized. Even the girl herself, being naturally ditzy, didn't realize it, so the colleagues around them were casually chatting.
"Speaking of which, the Kasamatsu racetrack is still as quiet as ever. Even though this is the first batch of debut races this school year, not many people came to watch," said Uncle Gen'ichi Yan in a friendly tone.
Hearing this, everyone looked around and echoed his words:
"Yeah, not many spectators. Even though the announcers are trying hard to liven things up, the venue is still so empty."
"Well, this is a local racetrack. No facilities, no staff, not many horse girls. What can you do?"
"Just cheering for our horse girls, that's all we can do. There's nothing much else to do."
As they said, the Kasamatsu racetrack was indeed small, possibly even smaller than some large high schools.
The track in the field was only a single 1,100-meter clockwise course, with a straight section of less than 200 meters.
The stands could only hold a few thousand spectators. Today, the actual attendance was probably only about a tenth full, even counting the trainers and horse girls.
Indeed, with the current level of horse girl development in this timeline, a local racetrack could only bury a talent like Oguri.
In the end, whether for Oguri or myself, the only proper destination would be the central racetracks.
Listening to the colleagues' words and surveying the venue's humble state, Kitahara thought:
After this debut race, I need to seriously consider how to reach the central racetracks.
If I remember correctly, the opportunity for Oguri's prototype to go central came after repeatedly winning in local races and gradually gaining fame.
However, in games and anime, it's depicted as "Kōsei Jin forcibly takes the Ash Hat Girl"…
In reality, when the Original Oguri Cap moved to the central tracks, the original owner, Kōichi Oguri, struggled for a long time. Because of Oguri's talent, she could bring in incredible earnings. Once she moved to the central tracks, that income would stop.
Indeed, it turned out that Oguri had already accumulated 25 million yen in prize money just from local races. After moving to central tracks, she broke the prize record, accumulating over 912 million yen.
Beyond prize money, Oguri's merchandise also generated huge income. While active, profits from related products were conservatively estimated at 2.5 billion yen.
However, both central prize money and merchandise income had nothing to do with Kōichi Oguri.
In the end, he decided to let go, transferring Oguri to central ownership.
Oguri's talent shouldn't be buried locally, he said, and from then on, he watched every one of her races, supporting his beloved horse in this way.
It was precisely this kind of recognition and support that created a legendary story in horse racing history.
The phrase "Kōsei Jin forcibly takes the Ash Hat Girl" is just domestic Uma Musume fans jokingly referring to Oguri's move to the central tracks.
After Oguri rose locally, by chance, a legendary Uma Musume from the central tracks watched her race. She recognized Oguri's top-tier potential and talent, and invited her to the central tracks.
That Uma Musume was Symboli Rudolph.
Unbeaten winner of the Satsuki Sho, Tokyo Derby, and Kikuka Sho—three of the highest-level races—16 races with 13 wins, a G1 seven-time champion legend.
She was also the all-powerful president of the student council at Tracen Academy in the central world—a true big shot in this universe.
In the story, Oguri's reaction followed the historical account: she was reluctant to leave her hometown and even struggled with whether to deliberately lose to avoid separating from friends.
But in the end, due to her talent, her friends' and trainer's full support, Oguri won beautifully, ending her local campaigns and beginning her central chapter.
And because Symboli Rudolph had the title of "Emperor" and Oguri had Ash Hat bloodline, that gave rise to the "Kōsei Jin forcibly takes the Ash Hat Girl" meme.
Although it's unclear if the original story's events would occur or how, Oguri going central is certain.
As for me, I am still a local trainer. The central examination is tough, so from now on, I must work even harder.
I must strive with all my might—for dreams, for Oguri, and for the Uma Musume who will trust me in the future.
Thinking this, Kitahara reaffirmed his own dream.
At that moment, the colleagues' shouts interrupted his thoughts.
"Look, the pre-race presentation has started!"