My current goals are clear:
GIII Sapporo Junior Stakes for Sanei Thank You at the end of July GIII Niigata Junior Stakes for Rice Shower at the end of September
To earn entry, Thank You needs to make her makeup debut in Sapporo in July, and Rice in Niigata in September. So begins the trainer's paperwork odyssey.
Step 1: Race Entry Procedures
The "vote to leave"—basically race registration—is accepted only from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursdays of race week. It's simple enough: write the horse girl's name, the trainer's name, and the race. But the time window is strict.
For makeup debuts or pre-open races, one-time registration is enough. For open special races, you need special registration the Sunday before, from noon to 4 p.m. For GI races, same Sunday window. For Classic Triple Crown races, registration happens two years prior, at year's end.
Yes, it's a bureaucratic maze. Rice and Thank You are registered for five Classic races each. So I'm drowning in forms.
Step 2: Travel Logistics
Transportation is essential. Flights are usually out of Haneda, and booking is the trainer's job.
We're a small team, so we travel together. But larger teams need support staff planning too.
For accommodation? We stay at school facilities near the race track—but guess what? That's another reservation I have to make.
Step 3: On-Site Prep
Even after arrival, the work continues.
"Gym clothes—what size?"
"Maybe a little tight…"
"Then try this one."
Gym wear is color-coded by frame and mostly rental. Choosing the right size matters: too loose means drag, too tight means restricted movement. Trainers help with selection.
Some horse girls casually change in front of male trainers. Their sense of modesty seems different from my past life. Then again, if a man tried anything, he'd lose. If a horse girl attacked, he'd lose harder. So the dynamic is… unique.
Step 4: Slot Numbers and Racewear
Slot numbers are assigned on Thursday. Tokyo has the best rental gear, but if you pick it up there, you won't arrive until Friday.
For Saturday races, that's risky—travel fatigue could affect performance.
Arriving early means choosing from a limited local lineup. But early arrival also disrupts training and class schedules. So it's a balancing act.
As I filled out forms and made calls, I couldn't help but admire the veteran trainers who handle all this like clockwork.
Me? I just muttered "hmmm" and had to keep going.