The commotion at Nakayama Racecourse quickly subsided—thanks to the horse girls.
Not all horse girls in this world participate in races; in fact, the majority work in other industries. Among them, quite a few are in security. Compared to humans, horse girls possess far superior physical capabilities, making them much more efficient in such roles.
Nakayama Racecourse had its share of dedicated horse girl security personnel. However, the disturbance this time—sparked by Oguri Cap's "undefeated bid for the Triple Crown"—erupted so suddenly that they were a step late in deploying.
Once these powerful, striking young women moved in, the rowdy spectators and reporters were soon persuaded back to their original seats. Of course, those who were too frenzied to listen were easily subdued and escorted to the security office to await further handling, or handed directly over to the police.
Security horse girls weren't limited to the racecourses—Tracen Academy had them too.
For instance, every morning at the school gate stood Tazuna Hayakawa, the chairman's secretary. Though she appeared to be an ordinary human, many students and those in the know understood well—never act up in front of her unless you wanted to regret it.
Besides managing campus security herself, Tazuna oversaw a trained unit of horse girl security officers. Their training wasn't for racing, but to deal with emergencies threatening the academy or its students.
Now, this secretary had brought a fully armed contingent of horse girls to a small exit at Nakayama Racecourse to "escort" Kitahara and his group.
"Sorry, President Rudolf, Kitahara—we came late and startled you."
Guiding them after gathering the trainers and horse girls competing here, Tazuna apologized:
"I honestly didn't expect something like this to happen. I was accompanying the chairman at the URA Association when we heard the news. I rushed here with staff as soon as possible. Are you all alright?"
Alongside Kitahara's group were Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky.
The frenzy had centered on Oguri Cap, because of her "undefeated Triple Crown" bid. Rudolf and Maruzensky were collateral victims—especially Rudolf, who unlike Oguri's still-unproven "phantom undefeated Triple Crown," was a genuine undefeated Triple Crown horse girl.
Considering the frenzy earlier in the stands, it wasn't hard to imagine the trouble she might face if she showed herself.
Thus, after some hesitation in the spectator hall, both Rudolf and Maruzensky chose to follow Kitahara once they learned he had connected with Tazuna.
Tazuna had brought this squad precisely to get them all out of this dangerous scene first. Winning Live could wait until things calmed down.
"We're fine, thank you for your concern, Miss Tazuna. We came here through the underground passage, so no one noticed us."
Rudolf sighed, then gave a wry smile.
"Never thought such chaos would erupt from a race like this. I don't remember the Kikuka Sho being this disorderly when I won it back then…"
"Eh? Rudolf, are you jealous your junior inspires such fanatical support?"
Before Rudolf could finish, Maruzensky teased.
"…What are you thinking? I'm just troubled, that's all."
Rudolf rubbed her temples helplessly, then looked at Oguri Cap and Dicta Striker.
"If anything, I should be grateful to these juniors. If not for their quick reactions in leaving the track early, we'd have been caught up in that mob."
"Thanks for the praise, President Rudolf, but honestly…"
Dicta shrugged, jerking a thumb at Oguri Cap.
"This one was completely out of it earlier—didn't even react."
"…Oh, I still don't really get what happened…"
Oguri scratched her head nervously as everyone turned toward her.
That drew laughter, and the mood by the exit lightened. Kitahara finally spoke.
"Tazuna, you mentioned being with the chairman earlier. Where is she now?"
"She's waiting outside already."
Tazuna answered quickly:
"When we got word, she sent me here with staff, while she herself went to Hanshin Racecourse. She said since Oguri belongs to the Eisei team, Hanshin might turn its attention toward Super Creek's side, so she went to support them.
"She also said both teams worked hard today. She prepared a lavish banquet—once things settle down and Oguri finishes her Winning Live, everyone can celebrate together."
A banquet prepared in advance? Kitahara thought of how in the mobile game's story mode, if your bond with Yayoi Akikawa (the chairman) was maxed and you won the URA Finals, you'd attend a banquet she personally prepared. Every horse girl could experience it in that world, and the food there was said to be made by Akikawa herself—testament to her devotion.
"Chairman really went to great lengths… Shall we go see her now?" Kitahara asked gratefully.
Akikawa awaited in a nearby parking lot, seated in a spacious RV. Inside were not only her, but also Super Creek, Sakura Chiyono O, Yuzuhara, and Fumino Naise from Hanshin.
After greetings, both groups entered the vehicle, planning to wait until the audience's emotions at Nakayama and Hanshin had settled before completing the remaining race procedures.
Thanks to their competition experience, relations between Eisei and Chouetsu were fairly amicable, and trainers and horse girls soon began chatting about today's events.
Kitahara, however, approached Yayoi Akikawa once everyone was settled.
"Chairman, I'd like to speak with you. Could we step outside for a walk?"
He also glanced at Rudolf.
"If convenient, President Rudolf, I'd like you to join too."
The two women had been discussing the day's races. They exchanged thoughtful looks, then Akikawa smiled and snapped her fan shut.
"Very well, I also have something to tell you. Rudolf, let's go together and hear what Kitahara has to say."
Rudolf silently nodded.
Before entering the RV earlier, Kitahara had already scoped the area and noticed a nearby tea house. Leading them there, he ordered tea and desserts before speaking plainly:
"I'd like your advice about Oguri's future direction."
At that, both Akikawa and Rudolf exchanged knowing glances—clearly expecting this.
Kitahara sighed inwardly. Unlike the frenzied fans, they understood the crushing pressure such expectations would bring Oguri.
His concern wasn't about today's chaos itself, but about its aftermath. The commentary and fan reactions left no doubt—everyone expected "an undefeated Triple Crown horse girl." And that expectation would only intensify.
Not only fans—other horse girls too.
Already, Kitahara had seen awe and envy in the eyes of horse girls from both teams. To them, the Classic Triple Crown was the pinnacle of racing in Japan. Undefeated Triple Crown was an almost unreachable dream. Oguri hadn't yet entered even one Classic race, but with a 14-race unbeaten streak capped by victory in the Yayoi Sho, she looked poised to achieve it.
But that awe would inevitably morph into another kind of fervor: the burning desire to defeat Oguri Cap.
That was what worried Kitahara most.
"Advice… haha, so you've noticed too. As expected of the trainer I hold in high regard—you're sharp!"
"Meow~"
With her cat mascot chiming in, Akikawa laughed with her fan before snapping it shut.
"Indeed, what Oguri should do next is something you, the Eisei team, the academy, even the URA must think carefully about.
"What does being an 'undefeated Triple Crown horse girl' truly mean for her? What should she do from here?"
Rudolf nodded gravely.
"If I'm not mistaken, Oguri hasn't yet grasped what that title entails. She doesn't know what lies ahead, or how to face it."
The first undefeated Triple Crown horse girl in URA history stroked her chin, brows knitting.
"In my view, such a path means more obstacles and challenges.
"Transcendence's Dicta Striker, Sakura Chiyono O, and Yaeno Muteki are all top-tier horse girls. Even if Dicta and Yaeno missed priority entry to the Satsuki Sho, their strength combined with Naise's leadership means they'll still compete in the Classics.
"Within Eisei, Mejiro Ardan and Super Creek are no pushovers either. Especially Creek—though she lost the Wakaba Stakes narrowly, her stamina makes her a fierce long-distance rival. When she and Oguri meet in the Kikuka Sho, who wins remains uncertain."
She gave Kitahara a serious look.
"And beyond them, if the 'undefeated Triple Crown' narrative keeps spreading, every rival Oguri faces will burn with stronger resolve. Not to block her, but… well, to test themselves against her."
Her ears flicked.
"As I've said before—'to wear the crown, one must bear its weight.' For such supreme glory, Oguri must endure greater obstacles, challenges, and pressure."
Kitahara nodded heavily.
Both women's words echoed exactly what he had feared. Unlike the delirious fans, he had thought almost immediately of the dangers behind the "undefeated Triple Crown" hype.
Beyond the obvious risks, he worried about hidden challenges too. Horse girls were remarkable beings—upsets happened constantly. Some appeared mediocre, yet upset giants on the biggest stages.
In another world's future, Mihono Bourbon won both the Satsuki Sho and Japanese Derby undefeated, only to lose the Kikuka Sho to Rice Shower—who later also shattered Mejiro McQueen's bid for a third straight Tenno Sho (Spring).
Who could guarantee that no such dark horse would arise against Oguri?
The phrase Rudolf had once used—"to wear the crown, one must bear its weight"—resonated again. The weight of the undefeated Triple Crown was at least as heavy as the Japan Cup, if not more so in Japan itself.
Kitahara didn't want Oguri to face it unprepared. That's why he sought advice from these two experienced women.
Akikawa, as academy chairman from a racing dynasty, had the macro-level wisdom. Rudolf's own experience as the undefeated Triple Crown made her the perfect mentor, especially for psychological struggles.
"I share your views and concerns," Kitahara said sincerely.
"That's why I asked you both here. I want your suggestions so I can make the best arrangements for Oguri's career.
"I understand the glory of the undefeated Triple Crown. But I also know the unimaginable pressure behind it, and the backlash if it fails. That's something no trainer, horse girl, or team can bear."
"Excellent! You haven't lost your reason or been blinded by glory. Very good, Kitahara-san!"
Akikawa praised, then her expression grew firm. Her fan tapped rhythmically on her palm.
"From my standpoint, my first thought is what an 'undefeated Triple Crown horse girl' means for Japan today.
"After Rudolf, Japanese horse racing fell into decline. Another undefeated Triple Crown would revitalize the industry enormously. My current reforms would proceed unhindered, because if a trainer and horse girl I supported achieved this, it would prove my strategies correct.
"That alone would silence every critic… Those old men, useless except when it comes to objecting, no better than when they plagued my father's council!"
She huffed, then calmed herself.
"But the cost?
"I don't underestimate Oguri—but times are different now. When Rudolf did it, there was no precedent. Now there is. Everyone will expect Oguri to match Rudolf, or even exceed her.
"First the undefeated Triple Crown. Then seven G1s. Then overseas expeditions.
"Perhaps Oguri can achieve it all. But even if she does, the slightest setback will bring endless disappointment, criticism, and doubt. Even with URA, the academy, the council, your team, and her friends protecting her—can she truly avoid it?"
She shook her head, eyes conflicted.
"No. Even if none of us say it outright, our disappointment will seep into our words and actions. And horse girls, being innately sensitive… Oguri will feel it."
Kitahara sighed.
She was right. In this era, the pressure of the undefeated Triple Crown far outweighed Rudolf's time. With one precedent set, every challenger faced harsher expectations.
He thought of Tokai Teio in a later era. Even in the softened environment of the anime, she nearly retired under the burden of failing "undefeated Triple Crown" expectations. Reality would be far less forgiving.
In fact, Teio's real-life counterpart, after two fractures and a 7th-place finish in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), drew furious blame toward her jockeys and even herself. People doubted if her brilliance was finished and if she should even race again.
Even explanations citing poor condition and repeated fractures weren't accepted. Trainers were slandered until one broke down in tears: "We lost, so what else can we say?"
Kitahara could easily believe the horse girls of this world would remain kind and never scorn Oguri. But humans? They would.
(End of Chapter)