[If Max Verstappen Wins the Las vegas GP tomorrow extra two chapters for tomorrow and Plus 1 extra chapter if Lando Norris DNFs]
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The outcome of the Epsom Exchange Race was not completely within Kitahara's expectations, but it was also not very surprising.
Reference Point, whom he suspected was deliberately sandbagging earlier, reversed the situation in the final 100 meters and secured first place.
Second place was Tony Bianca, followed closely by Oguri Cap and the other Japanese racehorse girls.
Moonlight Lunacy, who had been neck-and-neck with Tony Bianca earlier, fell behind along with Jupiter Island and Le Gloriuex—whether due to tactical issues or being unable to handle the sudden changes on the straight.
Oguri Roman and the others naturally finished in the bottom three positions. When they crossed the finish line they were already panting heavily, unable to pick up any more speed, clearly having exhausted all of their strength.
Because of such effort, even after the leading runners crossed the line, the tens of thousands in the audience still cheered passionately, and when the last group crossed the finish line they were greeted with wholehearted applause.
The low win probability had always been expected. With unfamiliar environments creating disadvantageous conditions and insufficient preparation time, they could only train specifically for the turns and the hill climb.
But the opponents' setup and countermeasures simply couldn't be predicted or prepared for under the limited conditions.
Had they known beforehand that Reference Point's Domain was so unusual—and that he planned from the start to hold back and let Oguri Cap pass during the turn, or even earlier—the result would certainly have been different.
But since these things were unknown beforehand, they could only accept the result as it was.
Fortunately, it was merely an exchange race. Winning and losing wasn't the most important part—what mattered was having Tony Bianca and Moonlight Lunacy display their real strength.
And with the instruments pre-installed on the railings, they could collect data on these two future Japan Cup opponents.
Afterward, they could compare the collected data with their accumulated records. When the real race arrives, Eisei's chance of victory would be far more solid.
Compared to the equipment used at the Kasamatsu racetrack, Eisei's data-collection instruments had undergone heavy upgrades, with major improvements added beyond the standard technology.
The main speed-measuring device looked like a portable camera, with a telescoping anchoring spike at the bottom. Once inserted into the ground, a tripod extended out for further stabilization.
The "camera" was far smaller than most models, but equipped with infrared high-speed imaging, thermal real-time recording, dynamic alignment testing, oscillation logging—everything was included.
By Eisei's usual practice, such equipment was set up for every training session and every race.
One every 50 meters, combined with various auxiliary instruments—every detail of the racehorse girls' running could be recorded without omission.
Similar equipment was not nonexistent in Japan, and Western tracks also had such devices—but installing them at such high density during both training and competition was unprecedented.
This arrangement was of great benefit for Oguri Cap and the others in both training and racing, but it also had an obvious inconvenience:
The maintenance cost was extremely high, and installing and retrieving them in unfamiliar European venues was extremely troublesome.
As soon as the race ended, while Oguri Cap and the others rested in the break room, recovering from their exertion, Kitahara led Komiyama and the others to collect the equipment.
Symboli Rudolf also followed to help.
Besides wanting to help, she also wanted to ask Kitahara about his plans going forward.
She was very satisfied with the Epsom Exchange Race.
Having participated in international expeditions herself, she was well aware of the gap between Japanese and world-class horse girls. She had mentally prepared for the worst—the best she hoped for was that the Japanese runners wouldn't fall dramatically behind.
But in reality—excluding Reference Point—the Japanese girls performed astonishingly well. If not for their unfamiliarity with the final turn's handling, they might have won.
With the experience gained today, she now believed that Japan, which had lost the Japan Cup championship for two consecutive years, perhaps now had a real chance.
But as she helped retrieve dozens of speed-measuring devices, she could not help becoming curious.
She had been supporting the Eisei team since before the Japanese Derby, and as time passed, she found their training methods increasingly unique.
She was not unfamiliar with Eisei's equipment. Many tracks installed speed-measuring devices to record real-time data for broadcasting.
But she had never seen such large-scale deployment; she had only seen Kitahara's collected data in Japan, not how troublesome the real work was.
"…Even though I've seen you collect data before…"
Planting her feet and pulling out a speed instrument embedded beside the railing, she carefully placed it into a long aluminum storage case and then looked strangely at the equally busy Kitahara.
"Is it really necessary to set up this many?"
Among the group recovering the equipment, Kitahara, Rudolf, Yuzuhara, and Miyamura Kyoko were responsible for pulling the devices from the ground, while Belno Light checked their condition and data.
Yuzuhara also had to drive the transport truck. With more than 2400 meters of track requiring about 50 devices, plus the bulky aluminum cases, a full cargo vehicle was needed.
"So many, huh?"
Being interrupted, Kitahara paused. He had been thinking about the post-race plan and hadn't reacted immediately.
Thinking he hadn't understood, Rudolf continued:
"I've heard rumors about Eisei's training expenses—don't know the exact numbers, but what little I know already sounds terrifying."
"Judging from this alone, the cost of using and maintaining all this equipment must be enormous, right?"
"Does this method really improve training that much?"
"How much improvement… that is…"
Kitahara wasn't unsure how to answer; the logic between measurement precision and training result was just complex. After thinking a bit, he replied:
"Strictly speaking, more precise measurement does not directly raise training level—but it is absolutely necessary."
"In any competitive racing, timing is critical."
"The margin of error directly affects how trainers like us—and runners like Oguri Cap—judge our own capabilities and predict race outcome."
"As a horse girl yourself, President Rudolf, you should know well the huge differences among finishing speed, top speed, cruising speed, and final-wave speed."
"But most timing systems treat speed as a whole. Stage-based timing still has massive inaccuracies."
"And whether in Japan or the West, most equipment still relies on conventional or high-speed cameras, requiring manual frame-by-frame review—which introduces even more error."
"With more precise timing, we can understand each runner's speed more accurately and arrange more precise training."
"Take maximum speed, for example—you cannot precisely judge how long you can maintain top speed during a race."
"If you rely on your own feeling or rough estimates, an error of even 0.1 seconds—entering top speed late or ending it early—could decide winning or losing."
"With precise data, we can fix the limit distance of 'maximum-speed running' in training. After repeated practice, in an actual race you can perform at 100% instinctively."
Rudolf, experienced as she was, completely understood—and grew even more curious.
"So, Eisei's equipment can achieve that?"
"Of course."
Nodding naturally, Kitahara lifted one device, flipped the camera unit, and displayed data.
"Look here. These devices have all been modified by Light."
"For example, besides the standard infrared ultra high-speed imaging, the internal programs include facial and body recognition specialized for straight-line running."
He paused and corrected:
"Ah, I should say—horse girl face recognition and horse girl body recognition."
"Put simply, Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross are both gray runners, but their faces and running forms are different."
"With other equipment, post-analysis requires manually separating their data."
"With Light's program—using live segmentation, recognition, tracking—the data is already automatically separated."
Seeing Rudolf's fascination, he smiled and continued.
"And beyond technical upgrades, placing so many devices uses a 'sectional timing' concept."
"This idea isn't hard to think of, but given the current technological capabilities, I think only Eisei could make it real."
He explained that in his past world sectional timing existed conceptually long ago, but practical execution only became possible after the 2010s.
For example, the 1986 Epsom Derby—the sectional analysis was only completed in 2014.
The later study revealed that if analyzed in sections, Dancing Brave, who officially lost by half a length, would have actually won by 2.5 lengths if not for tactical error in the final turn.
If such analysis had been available before the race, combined with proper preparation, the mistake could have been avoided.
Kitahara believed that if he'd had just 1–2 more weeks, he could have fully prepared and possibly not only forced the opponent to show true strength, but even won.
He skipped details that were too "ahead of the times."
"Besides speed measurement, there's oscillation analysis."
"The lower half houses the main vibration sensors using infrared, thermal, and signal-wave receivers to capture ground-impact force, body collisions, etc."
"These are used for tailored post-race training adjustments."
"Body collisions? Wait a minute."
Rudolf suddenly froze.
"These devices—you started deploying them back in Japan, even at Kasamatsu, right?"
"Did you already foresee body-collision racing conditions in Western tracks?"
"You were preparing for world-level racing that early?"
She genuinely couldn't believe it.
Even as one of the top horse girls in the world—even her team only learned through trial and error. Collisions were something she only understood after experiencing them.
If Kitahara had planned this months or even a year in advance…
"…You're overthinking. I'm not a god. How could I have that kind of foresight?"
Kitahara smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Huh? You didn't?"
"Of course not. The vibration equipment wasn't designed for overseas at first—though now it's clear it will be useful in the future."
Looking around and stepping away from the rail, he gestured for her to come to the track.
"Come look at this, Rudolf."
He pointed at a half-palm-deep indentation in the ground.
"What… is that?"
"If I must say—the footprint of a monster."
Ludolf understood instantly.
"Oguri Cap's… Footprint…?"
She whispered, stunned.
"If it's hers, I suppose it's not impossible. Her finishing kick really is world-class…"
"But seeing it like this…"
She stared wide-eyed, then looked strangely at Kitahara.
"Kitahara, your focus really is unusual."
"You're staring at your runner's footprints—do you have some kind of weird hobby?"
"…Can you not attach strange labels to me just because you're surprised?"
Kitahara protested helplessly.
"Paying attention to footprints is completely normal for a trainer!"
"At Kasamatsu, I discovered Oguri Cap's leg power was unbelievably strong, so I started observing carefully."
"Tamamo and Inari also have powerful finishing speed—look over there, the slightly shorter stride marks are theirs."
He pointed to similar deep pits nearby.
"I guess you're shocked because you simply never paid attention to footprints before."
"But this kind of data is also beneficial for training."
"These deep hoofprints indicate powerful leg strength, and powerful leg strength means heavy load on running shoes, hooves, ankles, calves, and other parts."
"So it's very necessary to measure data like this."
Kitahara returned the topic to the instruments and equipment.
"The vibration-testing device is used exactly for this purpose."
"Through data collection, we can calculate the stretching, compression, and structural loading of both equipment and the body."
"The devices we used in this exchange race are not even the full set—Japan's training facilities and racecourses have specialized measuring equipment."
"For example, 3D measurement systems equipped with digital speckle correlation techniques. Whether it's in training or racing, they can measure the actual displacement of Oguri Cap and the others."
"Combined with corresponding programs and algorithms, the Lagrangian strain tensor at every point on their body and on equipment surfaces can be collected for every training session and race."
"Measurements and analysis like this can fully develop their limits."
"More importantly, after knowing their limits, we can better improve their equipment."
"And we can avoid overloading their bodies during training and racing, giving a stronger basis for recovery and conditioning."
"So you see, a single device doesn't mean much on its own, and it might not seem directly related to training or racing."
As he spoke, Kitahara carefully packed up the equipment he had removed earlier and smiled at Symboli Rudolf.
"But when combined, the effect becomes completely different."
"At the very least, for us at Eisei, reaching this level would have been impossible without these technologies."
Most of the earlier part of the explanation, Symboli Rudolf could still understand.
But as the later parts came, she gradually couldn't follow.
Especially the term "Lagrangian strain tensor." She vaguely felt like she'd heard it somewhere before, maybe related to mathematics or physics, but she had no memory of what it actually was.
Even so, she understood from the beginning that Eternal's training methods were built entirely upon data, so she couldn't help wanting to ask.
"I understood most of what you said, but some things I've never heard before."
After thinking for a moment, she asked:
"For example, that Lagrangian… something. Can you explain it?"
Kitahara froze.
Explain the Lagrangian strain tensor?
Please… I only know how to use it, okay? I'm a business major, not an engineering student.
If you want to understand the principles, ask Light!
That kid—no, she couldn't even be called a kid anymore.
All her skill points were put entirely into technology. Officially she's only a middle school racehorse girl, but her knowledge level already surpasses most university students and graduate students, and she could compete with PhD students without losing.
If it's just applications, she could leave many theoretical researchers in the dust.
You could talk with her not only about the Lagrangian strain tensor, but also about the Cauchy theorem, L'Hôpital's rule, Taylor series, Leibniz's test, Euler equations, whatever you want.
Kitahara could operate most technologies in the team—that's what a "black box" system is for, after all: being able to use something perfectly without knowing the principle.
Precisely because of this, if Symboli wanted to talk theory, Kitahara could only recommend Radiance.
However, after thinking for a moment, he realized Symboli's purpose was probably not that, so he instead asked:
"If you want the theory, you'll have to ask Light—she understands much more. But I don't think that's what you really wanted to ask, is it?"
Hearing this, Symboli Rudolf finally remembered her original intention—she wanted to talk with Kitahara about Eternal's future plans, but had been sidetracked by the endless stream of technology.
"Ah, yes, that wasn't my main question."
With a look of realization, she shook her head, and her expression gradually became serious.
"Speaking honestly, I'm very satisfied with the results of this exchange race. I was mentally prepared for the worst—if we weren't completely crushed, I would have considered it acceptable."
"But seeing how well Oguri Cap and the others performed with such a rushed preparation… their ability, and the advantages in Eternal's training system, are far stronger than I expected."
"I think, with such advantages, Eisei has two possible paths in the next half year."
After considering for a moment, she presented the two plans she had been thinking about after the race.
"First option: for the training camp in July and August, you could choose to hold it in Europe."
She gestured broadly toward the scenery ahead—meaning all of Europe.
"The result of the Epsom exchange race was great, but ultimately, you didn't win."
"The biggest disadvantages were: limited preparation time, and the huge difference in course environment."
"So spending two months training here, returning to Japan to race in September, and coming back next year—Oguri Cap and the others would be much more adapted to European courses."
"I know Eisei still has races back in Japan—but considering they have a real chance of becoming champions in Europe, perhaps aside from G1 races, the rest could be reduced."
"The second option is to stick to your original plan: visit and study for a few more days after the exchange race, then return to Japan and do the training camp there."
After finishing, Symboli Rudolf looked seriously at Kitahara.
"Personally, I hope you choose the first option."
"You know the gap between Japanese racehorses and the world. Right now, besides Oguri Cap and the others, there aren't many who can fight on equal footing with someone like Tony Bianca."
"So if possible, I hope you will prepare more for world-class competition."
Her intentions were already obvious.
As the Japanese URA student council president and someone who once fought at world level, she clearly understood what world-tier competition looks like.
And she mentioned that Oguri Cap's group could fight evenly with Tony Bianca and Moonlight Lunacy—
But that's only Italy's and Britain's top representatives. Europe still has powerful racehorses from France and Germany, and across the ocean from the US, New Zealand, and more.
If there were no hope, world-level racing wouldn't even be worth considering.
But now, seeing hope, she wished deeply for them to challenge the world's peak.
In fact, she even wanted to directly suggest abandoning everything except G1 in Japan and dedicating everything to international races—but saying so openly would go against her identity as Japan Central Tracen's student council president.
So she could only speak indirectly.
Kitahara was visibly stunned by the recommendation—both directions were different from what he'd been planning.
Simply put—why can't they do both?
They're all adults—of course they should take everything.
But he quickly understood Symboli Rudolf's obsessive desire for global competition—compensation psychology.
She was someone who once stood on the threshold of the world peak—but because of poor training decisions and an injury during competition, she never reached the summit.
Perhaps in another world—if some transmigrator coached her—she might have made it.
But not in this world.
[Someone please make a fanfic about Rudolf or Duramente. Pretty Please 🥹]
That regret made her want the next generation to reach the peak she could not.
Like parents wanting children to fulfill their unfulfilled dreams.
If Kitahara didn't have his advanced knowledge, he too might have chosen the first option.
Oguri Cap does have the potential to reach the world peak.
And based on the general level of Japanese racehorses right now, giving up some Japanese races to focus on world-class preparation might seem correct.
But Kitahara knew the truth wasn't like that.
No matter what—he was 100% certain Oguri Cap was a world-class champion of her generation, especially after her classic year.
The proof came from her two Japan Cups.
The reason was clear when looking at Oguri Cap's historical record. In the 1988 Japan Cup, Oguri Cap finished 3rd, behind Pay the Butler from the United States and Tamamo Cross from Japan. His official finishing time was 2 minutes 25.8 seconds, only 0.3 seconds behind the winner and 0.2 seconds behind the runner‑up. Even the final three-furlong segment of his sprint was only 0.1 seconds slower than the top two. At that point, he was still in his classic year, his physical development far from complete.
By the time he ran the Japan Cup again in 1989, Oguri Cap's finishing time had improved to 2 minutes 22.2 seconds, matching the first-place finisher Horlicks from New Zealand. Not only did he break records with his total time, but his last three-furlong sprint was even faster than Horlicks' 47.9 seconds, clocking in at 47.6 seconds.
[tbh Oguri Cap had a crush on Horlicks so he stayed behind to watch that gyatt. Sad that he couldn't get that only was able to score her sister]
What mattered most was not his comparison to the first-place finisher alone, but his performance relative to the entire field. The 14th-place finisher in the 1989 Japan Cup was Carroll House, the winner of that year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Despite the long journey from Europe, travel fatigue, and other factors that could have hindered performance, Oguri Cap showed that even foreign competitors could still perform at a high level.
These results proved that while Oguri Cap may not have won every race, his finishing bursts, narrow margins, and consistent top-level performance confirmed his status as a world-class thoroughbred, capable of competing internationally.
[Only my Goat Deep Impact could get a 3rd in L'arc then win the Japan Cup while also winning the Triple Crown]
Because he knew all this, Kitahara would never confine Oguri Cap to Japan.
Especially after seeing something clearly during this week in Britain:
Almost every other racehorse girl had problems adapting to the environment—language, food, fatigue, weight loss, jet lag…
Oguri Cap alone—no problems at all.
Just like transitioning from Kasamatsu to the Central circuit, her adaptability was monstrous.
More appetite, no stress, gains weight instead of losing.
A natural freak.
Therefore, rather than reducing races, Kitahara intended to increase 1–2 additional races to fix weaknesses exposed during this Epsom exchange.
He needed to explain all of this to Symboli Rudolf, and the timing was perfect: equipment cleanup was done and they would be returning to Epsom Academy.
Instead of Winning Live, Epsom arranged a formal banquet ball after the race.
During the drive back, Kitahara planned to discuss future plans with his team.
He announced:
"Tonight and tomorrow, everyone can rest. Treat it like a real race—we rest after competition."
"Use the time to relax, visit, or let friends guide you around England or Europe."
"But I'll briefly explain our future plan now."
The racehorse girls immediately straightened up, but Kitahara gestured for them to relax.
He continued:
"After resting, we'll collect more course data—at Ascot, Longchamp, and other world-class tracks."
"Comparing current data to future data next year will help both training and equipment adjustments."
Light confidently declared she could make equipment perfectly adapted to European turf.
Kitahara added:
"This will take 4–5 days. Work hard and cooperate."
"After that, we'll return to Japan—and the original race schedule will be slightly adjusted."
"This exchange exposed many problems—and I don't mean problems caused by unfamiliar courses."
"These are problems you already have on Japanese tracks—but they were amplified here."
He emphasized issues such as:
• Domain ability weaknesses• Lack of segmented domain control• Weak lower body stability against collisions• Stamina and strength gaps• Speed issues• Temperament control• Physical resilience
And then concluded:
"So, I plan to add 1–2 more races to master segmented domain use."
"During the training camp, using world-class standards, we will solve these one by one."
He smiled:
"For now—just rest well for two days."
Happy New Year, everyone!"
(End of chapter)