You could see from the schedule that, besides the four Short/Mile G1 races mentioned just now, Kuroha had even added several other turf G1 races and a few dirt races.
Counting it all up, that made 6 G1 races and 2 G2 races.
With March's current record and reputation, she didn't even need to run the so-called prep races for many of them; she could simply be entered straight into the main event.
As for the Arima Kinen… that race is decided at year's end by fan vote, so you can't pre-enter it.
"Take a look. If you have any objections, make sure to tell me." Kuroha said gently.
March nodded, taking the schedule Kuroha passed her and reading it carefully.
Her beautiful red eyes scanned each line of text with focus. From time to time, she would nod ever so slightly as if deep in thought.
"Next is Ardan."
At that, the girl with the graceful, glass-like presence straightened up, her posture impeccable as she smiled softly. "I'm here, Trainer."
Kuroha pulled out Ardan's race schedule. He drew in a deep breath and said solemnly:
"Osaka Hai, Tenno Sho (Spring), Takarazuka Kinen. These are your targets for the spring season."
"…!"
Hearing those three all-too-familiar names, Ardan's expression stiffened. Her cherry lips parted slightly, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"The… Spring Triple Crown?"
Before this meeting, Ardan had more or less guessed that Kuroha would have her run the Tenno Sho (Spring) to fulfill the family's long-held wish.
What she hadn't expected was that Kuroha's ambitions would be even greater.
He actually wanted her to take the entire Spring Triple Crown in one go.
The Osaka Hai, Tenno Sho (Spring), and Takarazuka Kinen chained together form what is called the "Spring Triple Crown" route.
Its difficulty is almost no less than that of the Classic Triple Crown.
And if you then add the Autumn Triple Crown of Tenno Sho (Autumn), Japan Cup, and Arima Kinen on top of that…
You get the nine most prestigious Medium/Long G1 races in the entire Far Eastern country.
"What's wrong? No confidence in yourself?"
Kuroha's voice cut in at just the right moment.
Ardan instinctively raised her head and met his gaze.
Those deep, steady eyes were like an anchor, clearing away the tangle of thoughts that had just begun to swirl in her chest.
"…How could that be?"
Ardan sat up straight with elegant composure, her tone soft yet firm. "I will definitely take all three crowns and dedicate them to you, Trainer."
"Don't talk about dedicating them to me…"
Kuroha shook his head helplessly and handed Ardan her schedule.
"Same as with March: if you have any thoughts of your own, tell me and I'll handle it."
"Understood." Ardan replied quietly, taking the weighty stack of papers in her hands.
…
Right now, aside from Obey Your Master, whose retirement was basically already set in stone, Chasing Light had only four active girls left.
Since March and Ardan had been covered, that left only the two in the corner, their expressions serious but barely able to contain their excitement.
Well, you couldn't exactly call them "little ones" anymore. They had already achieved their True Blooming.
The "two little ones" now were probably Bourbon and Rice, who were currently in class.
"McQueen, Teio."
Kuroha called out to them softly.
"Yes!"
"I can't wait any longer, Trainer!"
The two girls answered in unison, their voices full of eager anticipation.
"Mm…"
Kuroha looked at Tokai Teio first. "Teio, this year is just your debut season. It'll be much like McQueen's year last year; the structure of the schedule won't change much."
"But your debut race will come a bit earlier than McQueen's. It'll probably be before the summer training camp."
"And aside from the year-end Asahi Hai G1, the rest of the time you'll just run a few open-class (OP) races to build up race experience and maintain your condition."
"Got it!"
The petite girl with the crescent bangs shouted with boundless energy. "The invincible Teio-sama is already fully prepared!"
"Haha, as long as you're confident."
Kuroha was amused by her, then turned his gaze to McQueen.
"As for you, McQueen…"
The moment she heard her own name, McQueen drew a steadying breath and looked seriously at her Trainer.
If Ardan-neesan was already slated to take the Tenno Sho (Spring)…
Then there was no way she could fall behind.
Kuroha smiled, a note of expectation in his voice. "Just like we discussed last year: become a Triple Crown racehorse."
"The second undefeated Triple Crown after Symboli Rudolf."
"Yes, Trainer."
McQueen nodded firmly, determination written clearly across her face.
"Yay, undefeated Triple Crown!"
At the word "undefeated Triple Crown," Teio instantly burst into cheers, her small fists waving excitedly in the air.
But in the very next moment, she suddenly realized something was off.
"…Eh?"
Teio tilted her head, her voice full of confusion.
"The second undefeated Triple Crown? Shouldn't that be my accomplishment?"
McQueen's lips curled into a graceful, slightly mischievous smile as she turned to her friend.
"Soon it'll be mine, Teio~"
"Uwaaaah!"
Teio immediately lunged at McQueen, her little hands starting to misbehave as she grabbed at her.
"No way, no way! The first undefeated Triple Crown after the President should obviously be mine!"
"Better work hard then, Teio~" McQueen replied with a refined smile, gently patting the girl clinging to her. "After all, I'm your senpai who debuted a year earlier."
"Uuuu, McQueen, you're so sneaky!"
"This isn't sneaky, it's called first come, first served."
...…
Watching his two girls horsing around, Kuroha couldn't help but smile.
In the original world, no one had expected that after Symboli Rudolf, the glory of becoming the second "undefeated Triple Crown racehorse" in history would have to wait a full 21 years before Earth Shaker finally achieved it.
A blank stretch of 21 whole years.
But here and now, Kuroha had absolute confidence.
This record would be seized by McQueen's generation.
After handing out the schedules, Kuroha waited quietly for a few minutes, then looked around at all the girls gathered there and asked gently:
"So, does anyone have any questions about the schedule?"
"I trust the Trainer's arrangements."
"No problems for now."
"..."
One after another, the girls shook their heads.
"In that case…"
Kuroha closed the file and gave everyone one last look.
"The new year, and Chasing Light's new journey, begin today."
"Is everyone ready?"
"Yes!"
The unified reply rang out in the living room.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, falling across the faces of the girls brimming with fighting spirit.
A new year, new challenges.
The legend of "Chasing Light" was about to be written further.
And in the nearby room, Maruzensky leaned casually against the doorframe, watching the scene with a gentle smile curling at her lips.
"What a lively bunch of kids…"
She murmured softly, her gaze unconsciously settling on Kuroha.
"Kuroha-kun, looks like you're going to have a tough year again."
(End of Chapter)
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