**Chapter 35: Target — Mixed Maiden Race**
On the first day of August, the air was heavy and oppressive.
Despite its alternative name, "Autumn Wind Month," it felt as scorching as being in a furnace.
As Tanaka inspected the stable, dark marks began to appear on the back of his shirt after just a few steps.
"It's amazing you still have an appetite in this heat, but it's good to eat more."
Passing a dark bay horse that was busily munching its food, Tanaka unbuttoned the collar of his shirt.
"Kobayashi, turn the fan up higher!"
He shouted to the stableman behind him.
"It's already at maximum power, Trainer Tanaka!"
Kobayashi replied.
"Then find a way to get some buckets of ice and put them in front of the fan."
Ever since the G1 horse, One Win After Another, winner of the 2022 Kikuka Sho, died from organ failure caused by heatstroke, both JRA and NAR have introduced numerous measures to combat high summer temperatures.
Tanaka, following this trend, had installed several high-power fans and temperature/humidity sensors in the stable.
However, it seemed they weren't having much effect now.
He looked up at the sensor's location.
The room temperature was 34.9°C.
This was in Hokkaido, the northernmost part of Japan.
"You two go help out too."
Suppressing a faint sense of unease, Tanaka said to the other two stablemen.
Then, he continued walking forward.
He stopped when he passed a certain stall.
The dark bay horse in the stall was poking its head out, constantly curling its upper lip towards the fan.
"The horse's body looks a bit more taut compared to the previous two races, and its temperament is also developing positively. It should perform well if it races again."
The training assistant said, fanning himself with a baseball cap.
"Daisei Willun has indeed grown compared to a few months ago. This time, there's a good chance it will break out of the maiden group."
Tanaka nodded, then took out his notepad and opened it to the corresponding page.
"Both body and spirit have grown; condition is good."
"Suitable for racing."
After writing these two lines, he continued walking.
"Still a bit loose, needs continued increase in exercise."
"Condition is somewhat unstable, will evaluate based on training performance."
"Seems a bit tired, moderately reduces training load."
Every time he passed a stall, Tanaka observed the horse's condition and made an evaluation.
Only by understanding the horse's body could he make corresponding adjustments to the race schedule and training.
However, sometimes unexpected interventions would occur.
In such cases, there was nothing he could do.
After the stable inspection, both he and the training assistant's backs were completely soaked with sweat.
"Good work, Trainer Tanaka."
Crossing off the last entry on the list, the assistant let out a sigh of relief.
"Are there any omissions?"
Tanaka asked, unbuttoning the second button of his collar.
"All one hundred and nine horses in the stable have been completed."
The assistant nodded to confirm.
"Then thank you for your hard work; go back and rest early."
"The same to you, Trainer Tanaka."
After the assistant left, Tanaka remained in the stable alone for a while.
"Mejiro Pegasus and Mejiro Sakiya..."
In addition to the 109 horses in the stable, he also managed two other racehorses.
"For Mejiro Pegasus, just register for the 1500-meter race as originally planned."
It was said that the horse's physical condition and training results were quite good.
Although it wasn't an exceptionally flexible racehorse, judging from its performance in the 1200-meter race, an additional 300 meters for a 1500-meter race should be within its range.
"As for Mejiro Sakiya..."
Although they belonged to the same Horse Owner, the situation here was much more complex than with Mejiro Pegasus.
After successfully passing the ability test, the next challenge was the maiden race.
From the timing of participation, August was already a somewhat unfavorable time.
All six of the two-year-old maiden races were mixed races.
Although she was noticeably more robust than other fillies in terms of physique, in a mixed race, she might not have such a significant advantage.
From Nishiken Ranch, which was responsible for her management, they received news that she "has been adjusted to a suitable racing condition."
If she delayed participating in races, the "training-racing-resting" cycle would be broken.
At that point, it might require a lot of time to readjust her condition.
For a horse with a limp, successfully establishing such a season schedule was very difficult.
"Then this one it is: the 1000-meter race on the 8th, race 10."
He chose a race scheduled as late as possible.
The lower evening temperatures would alleviate some of the pressure on Mejiro Sakiya's affected leg.
However, the downside was that the soft sandy track, exposed to the sun during the day, would become more compacted after a day of racing.
For a power-oriented racehorse, this could be a somewhat unfavorable factor.
Considering this, Tanaka also included the 1000-meter race on the 9th, race 1, as a backup option in his plan.
As for which suggestion would be adopted, it would depend on the Horse Owner's own thoughts.
The next day, a three-person meeting of the Horse Owner, Trainer, and Jockey was held in the stable.
"Let's go with the race on the 8th."
Kitano quickly made his choice.
It wasn't a difficult decision.
"Does the race time really have such a big impact on the track condition?"
As a new Horse Owner, he immediately followed up with a question.
"It depends on the specific situation, but generally, the innermost and outermost lanes are less affected."
Tanaka explained patiently.
Compared to Horse Owners who would frequently make unreasonable requests like "I want Fusan to ride next time" or "We should be able to participate in this year's Derby," Mr. Kitano was quite easy to talk to.
"I see."
Kitano nodded and then looked in Ochiai Jockey's direction: "What about Jockey Ochiai's situation?"
"I have no problem either."
Ochiai readily accepted the riding request.
"Then, I will submit the entry application."
The decision was made quickly.
Mejiro Sakiya would run in the JRA-certified Two-Year-Old Maiden Race at Monbetsu, Race 10, on August 8th.
"Genta, what's your impression of that horse?"
After Kitano left, Tanaka called out to Ochiai.
Next was the tactical discussion between the Trainer and the Jockey.
"She runs with plenty of power; she doesn't seem to have a limp at all."
Ochiai responded without hesitation.
In this regard, Trainer Tanaka particularly admired his memory.
"However... after receiving an instruction, it takes some time for her to respond, and she's also not very sensitive to the whip."
Recalling the breaking-in sessions, Ochiai continued.
"So, she really is a rather sluggish horse after all—"